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1. Do I need an occupancy permit?

Yes. Occupancy permits are required for both residential and commercial properties. All permits must be paid in person; cash, checks, money orders, debit or credit cards are accepted.

2. What is required to get a residential occupancy permit?

To get a residential occupancy permit, you will need proof of ownership or authorization to occupy residential property form, a photo ID, birth certificates for children to show proof of relationship, a complete application, and the $40 fee.

*An inspection is required when there is a change in occupancy and/or ownership. The inspection must be requested by the property owner and a fee of $40 must be paid separate from the occupancy permit fee. The fee must be paid in person; cash, checks, money orders, debit or credit cards are accepted.

3. What is required to get a commercial occupancy permit?

For a commercial occupancy permit, you will need a signed lease, the applicant’s photo ID, a detailed floor plan for the business set to scale and/or architect-sealed, a complete application, and the $100 fee. The fee must be paid in person by cash, check, or money order. No debit or credit cards.

4. What types of projects require a permit for my home?

There are several residential projects that require a permit: decks, driveways, fences, framing, drywall, electrical - new service, new panel, adding outlets, adding lights, adding switches, re-wiring, etc. – plumbing, to include new pipes, new bathroom, relocating toilets, tubs, sinks, etc., furnaces, air conditioning, water heaters, retaining walls three (3) feet or taller), sheds, and more.

Always check with Public Works before starting a project to verify any permit needs.

5. What do I need and where do I go to get a permit?

For permits, you’ll need a set of plans, a plot and/or survey of your property for outside projects, and a complete application. For new construction and larger projects, other items are needed. Please check with Public Works for details.
Public Works Department

6. How do I report a pothole or problem with my street?

Please complete a Request for Service Form and provide contact information in case more details are needed to locate and/or address your concern.

7. What do City Inspectors look for during inspections?

The following is provided as a basic guideline of items that the inspectors will look for through the course of an inspection:

EXTERIOR

Siding:

• What is the condition (broken, peeling paint, cracked)
• Are there any shingles or pieces missing
• If brick are all bricks in place

Foundation:

• Condition (cracks, chipped corners, painting needed)
• Any leaks at ground level or below the walls

Gutters & Down Spouts:

• Aluminum, galvanized, or copper
• Condition (damaged and spilling into splash-guard, any missing sections, needs replacing, needs repairs, needs to be painted)
• Are downspouts attached and draining away from the building.

Windows:

• Condition (broken or cracked panes)
• Operable (opens and close without any problems)
• Type: Metal or wood (is any painting needed)

Screens:

• Condition (any tears, holes, pulled away from gasket)
• Screens should be in all windows that open and storm doors

Fences:

• Type: chain link or privacy
• Condition (rusting & needs to be painted, falling down, leaning, sagging, missing rails, vegetation growing in fence, wooden fence needs to be painted)

Accessory Building:

• Type: Metal or wooden
• Properly secured to ground (anchored down)
• Condition (in need to repairs or painting, doors are attached and operable)
• Legally located in yard (5 ft from rear property line & 3 ft from side property lines)
• Building should be on a concrete pad.

Driveway / Sidewalks:

• Cracked sections, pitted sections, raised section (replacement needed)

Yards:

• Unnecessary debris/litter (tree limbs, branches, leaves)
• Grass excessively high (over 8 inches)

House Lights/Receptacles:

• Condition (broken glass, exposed receptacles weather proofed and GFCI protected.
• Outlets near a concrete floor should be GFCI protected.

Air Conditioner:

• Know the age
• Condition (operable, outside unit clear of debris, leaves, trash)

Swimming Pool (Above Ground):

• Type
• Condition (operable, no standing / stagnant water)
• Properly wired (electric outlet for the filter must be grounded circuit with a GFI receptacle enclosed in a weather-proof box)
• Proper drain provision
• Proper safety (fence, gate, removable or lockable ladder)
• Pool must be 6 ft from ALL property lines

 

INTERIOR

Living Room, Dining Room, Bedrooms:

• Measurements (square feet)
• All windows operable and frames in good condition
• Flooring cover (carpeting, hard wood, linoleum)
• All outlets have plate covers
• Cracks along ceiling or walls
• Any visible water damage, ceiling or walls

Kitchen:

• Measurements (square feet)
• Grounded receptacle by the sink (GFI outlets)
• Exhaust fan operable (if applicable)
• Disposal operable (if applicable)
• Any water leakage under the sink
• Floor covering (linoleum, carpet, tile)
• Items 2 through 7 under Living Room also apply to Kitchen

Hallway:

• Operable smoke detector must be placed on the ceiling near the bedrooms

Family Room:

• Any additional heating components (gas- must be inspected by Laclede Gas, wood burning must be properly flued / vented

Bathroom:

• Wash basin, tub/shower, sink (water damage due to leakage)
• Toilet (signs of water damage) Will flush to verify
• Grounded receptacle by the sink with GFI outlet
• Floor covering (tile, linoleum, carpet)
• Walls (drywall, tile)

Smoke Detectors:

• Should be inside every bedroom near the door.
• Should be outside each bedroom
• Should be on each level of the home
• Should be at the top of the basement stairs.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

• Should be on each level of the home

Basement:

• Any cracks in the walls, water damage due to leakage
• Floor drain required
• Water heater (Approximate age, safety valve, overflow, properly vented
• Smoke detector required at bottom of basement stairwell.
• Handrail must be attached on basement stairs

Electrical Main Fuse Box:

• List amps of input service (100/200 amps)
• Fuses or breakers
• Are any additional outlet boxes attached
• All wiring must be terminated in junction boxes and properly covered
• All wiring must be secured to walls/ ceiling
• Wiring should be properly sized
• Housing grounding (verify connection to pipe)

Stairs:

• Basement and deck stairs should be childproofed with no openings greater than 4 inches

Furnace:

• List type of pipe, clean out capabilities.
• Auxiliary and space heaters must be inspected/approved by Laclede Gas.

Finished Areas:

• If water is provided for a sink, verify that connections are proper and must have a "P" trap and not straight drop to main pipelines.

8. How do I report issues with a tree that I think is in the public right-of-way?

Please complete a Request for Service Form (link from site?) and provide contact information in case more details are needed to locate and/or address your concern.

Please be aware that trees in individual yards, in the rear of properties, and behind individual properties are generally not City right-of-way trees.

Trees may be within MSD creek areas or are part of the common ground of a subdivision. We will assist in determining who is responsible for these types of trees as needed.