Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Cass County, MO Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Inspection request deadline
180 days after permit issuance
Permit expiration
Work approved within 1 year of issuance
Re-inspection fee
$100.00 flat
After-hours inspection
$121.25/hour, 2-hour minimum
Unlisted inspection fee
$90.00

Summary

Unincorporated Cass County ties a building permit's validity to requesting an inspection: the county's amended IBC Section 105.5 voids a permit if the permit holder doesn't request an inspection within 180 days of issuance, and requires all work to be finished and approved within one year. Re-inspections cost $100.00, and after-hours inspections run $121.25 per hour.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Cass County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

IBC Section 105.5 Delete in its entirety. Amend as follows: Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced and an inspection has been requested by the permit holder within one hundred eighty (180) days after its issuance or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days. ... Extensions. A permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which work may be completed under that permit. ... Renewal of expired permit when work has been started. A permittee holding an expired permit may apply for a renewal of the permit to allow for the completion of the work started. ... 5. ... Inspections outside of normal business hours (minimum charge — two hours) if available. $121.25 per hour 6. Re-inspection fees assessed $100.00*

Full Breakdown

5 for the county's own inspection timeline. "Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced and an inspection has been requested by the permit holder within one hundred eighty (180) days after its issuance," and the same 180-day clock restarts if work is suspended or abandoned once it has begun. " Separately, the Code Official under the technical codes lets a permit run for up to one year from issuance before it expires by limitation if the work is not completed and approved.

020 prices an extension evaluation inspection off the fee tables for the permit type. If the permit has already lapsed and work has started, the holder can apply for a renewal and pay a new full permit fee to keep going, subject to the same 180-day and one-year clocks; if no work has started at all, the county requires a brand-new permit application, and won't renew a lapsed no-work permit if the applicable codes changed after the original permit issued. 00.

Violations & Fines

A permit that lapses under Section 500.010 without a renewal or extension leaves any further work unpermitted, and Cass County Code Section 100.210's General Penalty then applies: a civil penalty of up to $1,000.00, with "every day any violation of this Code shall continue" counted as a separate offense until the Building Codes Department signs off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon must I request an inspection after getting a Cass County building permit?
Cass County Code Section 500.010 requires it. The amended IBC Section 105.5 says a permit becomes invalid unless the work has commenced and an inspection has been requested by the permit holder within 180 days of issuance, so an idle permit with no inspection request on file is void.
How much does a re-inspection cost in Cass County?
The county's fee schedule in Section 500.020 sets a $100.00 flat charge for re-inspections, in addition to the standard inspection fees already covered under the permit. Inspections outside normal business hours cost $121.25 per hour with a two-hour minimum charge, subject to availability.
How long can a Cass County building permit stay open before it expires?
Up to one year. The amended IBC Section 105.5 lets a permit run for a year from issuance before it "shall expire by limitation and become null and void" if the work is not completed and approved, though a permittee can apply for an extension before that deadline.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cass County

All Cass County rules

Compare Cass County to another location·View the Missouri building safety overview

Get notified when Building Inspections in Cass County, MO changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.