Building Permits

NOTICE
On March 16, the city manager of Columbia signed a Declaration of Emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On March 24, the director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services signed Special Order 2020-03 which went into effect at 8 a.m on March 25. The intent of the Special Order is to require social distancing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

City Manager John Glascock has determined that it is in the best interest to the health of the community and to comply with the intent of the Special Order, to suspend the issuance of new building permits, both commercial and residential including new additions to existing buildings. 

Permits for alterations to existing buildings needed to maintain or improve the health and safety of existing buildings will still be issued.

During the time Special Order 2020-03 is in effect, only commercial and residential building projects which were started and approved prior to March 25 may continue. Those projects should continue to follow required inspection guidelines and inspectors, following social distancing protocol, will continue to inspect existing projects.  

The City of Columbia Community Development Department will continue to accept and review both new commercial and residential permit submissions, however, they will not be issuing an invoice, accepting payment for a permit, or issuing a new permit for these types of permits until the order is rescinded, extended or expires on April 24. 

Commercial and residential permit applications may be submitted via the processes outlined on CoMo.gov. 

Residential – New one and two family dwelling construction, commonly called the “one-stop permit process” is organized with the professional home builder in mind. This permitting process is intended to expedite the issuance of building permits for new one and two family dwellings. This does not mean that the process is not intended for the one-time owner builder.