City Permit Information

What is a permit? A permit is an official document or certificate issued by the code official authorizing performance of a specified activity. When do you need a permit? The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call the Community Development Department at Gladstone City Hall. Discuss your plans with the code official before you begin construction to determine whether you need a permit. The code official will answer your construction questions and may provide valuable advice. The following are permits required for residential construction. Building Permits are required for the following but not limited to: * New buildings, Additions (bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.), Residential work (decks, garages, fences over 6 feet in height, fireplaces, sheds, driveway approaches, swimming pools more than 2? in depth and a capacity of 5,000 gallons or more, etc.) and Renovations (garage conversions, basement finishes, kitchen expansions, etc.). Electrical Permits are required for the following but not limited to: * Electrical service (new, upgrades, disconnects, relocating, etc.), Residential work (adding circuits, wiring to new receptacles, switches and lighting outlets, etc.). Lawn Irrigation Permits are required for the following but not limited to: * New installations, Modifications to existing systems. Mechanical Permits are required for the following but not limited to: *Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (new installations, replacement, enlarge, alter, etc.). Plumbing Permits are required for the following but not limited to: * Water heaters (new installation, replacement, etc.), Residential work (new installation, replacement, alteration or relocation of water supply lines, waste and vent piping, etc.), Backflow assemblies (new installation, replacement, etc.), Water and Sewer service lines (new installation, replacement, repairs, etc. Note: work in R-O-W requires an excavation permit and licensed plumber. Who can apply for a permit? A. If you are the bona fide owner and currently residing in the home. B. If you are a contractor and your licenses in the City of Gladstone are current. What good does a permit do? Your home is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with ordinances and codes adopted by the City of Gladstone, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met - as demonstrated by a code official?s carefully maintained records - has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit. Your permit also allows the code official to protect the public by reducing the potential hazard of unsafe construction and ensurng public heath, safety and welfare. By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety and will be less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends or future owners. The Permit Process: Talk With Your Code Official. The City of Gladstone?s code official wants your project to be a success and will help you avoid potential problems that could cost you time and money. You will be asked some basic questions and advised of any requirements. The code official will answer any questions you may have and provide information needed for compliance with the applicable codes. Permit Application. The City of Gladstone requires that an application be filled out for the appropriate permit. This form asks for basic information as to owner, type of work, value of work, etc. Plan Review: The code official will review your plans to determine if your project is in compliance with City ordinances and codes. If your plans meet these requirements, a permit will be issued. If your plans do not meet these requirements then the code official may suggest solutions to help correct the problem. Note: a $20 plan review fee is required for new residential construction. Issuance of Permit: When you have been approved and received your permit, you have legal permission to start construction. The fees for the permits are based on valuation of the work being done under the permit. If you have any questions during your construction project the code official will be available to answer them. Inspections: Field inspections will be required to make certain the work conforms to the permit, approved plans, City ordinances and codes. The code official will let you know approximately how many and what type of inspections are required. Note: It is the responsibility of the permit holder to contact the code official for inspections. When your construction job is complete and all required inspections have been approved you will have the satisfaction and peace of mind knowing that the job met the minimum safety standards in the City of Gladstone. GENERAL INFORMATION * Sheds: Must be a minimum of 35? from front property line, 8? from rear and side property line, 10? from house and 20? from neighbors house. (If on a corner lot shed must be a minimum of 25? from adjacent street property line.) Sheds larger than 120 sq. ft. require a footing and foundation. (Needs plot plan) * Garage or Carport (Detached): Must be a minimum of 35? from front property line, 8? from rear and side property lines, 10? from house and 20? from neighbors house. (If on a corner lot garage or carport must be a minimum of 25? from adjacent street property lines.) (Needs plot plan) * Garage or Carport (Attached): Must be a minimum of 35? from front and rear property lines and 9? from side property line. (If on a corner lot garage or carpot must be a minimum of 25? from adjacent street property line.) (Needs plot plan) * Deck: Must be a minimum of 35? from front and rear property lines and 9? from side property line. (If on a corner lot deck must be a minimum of 25? from adjacent street property line.) (Needs plot plan) * Room Additions: Must be a minimum of 35? from front and rear property lines and 9? from side property line. (If on a corner lot the room addition must be a minimum of 25? from adjacent street property line.) (Needs plot plan) * Swimming Pools: Must be a minimum of 35? from front property line, 10? from rear and side property lines and 20? from neighbors house. (If on a corner lot the pool must be a minimum of 15? from adjacent property line.) The swimming pool area shall be entirely enclosed by a protective fence at least 4? in height with lockable gate. (Needs plot plan) You may not cover more than 30% of your lot with structures, including your house. SETBACKS: * Front yard setback is 35? from property line, unless otherwise recorded on subdivision documents. * Rear yard setback is 35? from property line, unless otherwise recorded on subdivision documents. * Side yard setbacks are 9? from property line, unless otherwise recorded on subdivision documents. (interior lots) * Side yard setback is 25? from property line, unless otherwise recorded on subdivision documents. (corner lots) EASEMENTS: The City of Gladstone and the utility companies may have easements that are within your property lines. No permanent structures shall be constructed within these easements. ZONING: How your property is zoned will determine your use and what can be constructed on your property. BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT (BZA): If a building permit cannot be issued because of a zoning issue, the applicant may file an appeal to the BZA. the BZA may grant a variance where strict enforcement of the zoning regulations would cause unnecessary or unusual hardship. ADOPTED CODES The following codes have been adopted by the City of Gladstone; with amendments: * 1994 Uniform Building Code * 1993 National Electric Code * 1994 Uniform Fire Code * 1996 Internatinal Mechanical Code * 1995 International Plumbing Code Return to CITY SERVICES GUIDEReturn to City of Gladstone Index