Licenses

Permits

Do I need a license renewal ?
I need a driver’s license .
How do I get a marriage license ?
Do I need a merchant/business license ?
I need a business license .
I need liquor license .
I need a security guard license .
I need an adult entertainment license .
How do I get a trade license
(contractor, electrician, plumber, mechanical installer)?

When do I need a building permit?
How do I get a building permit?
How much is a building permit?
How do I get a special use permit ?
How do I get a burning permit ?

Other

Where do I register to vote ?
Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate ?
I need to show proof of insurance for a City construction project.
How do I get an occupancy certificate ?
I need a variance for my project.
What are the differences between the zoning classifications ?
What building code do we work under?
How log does it take to get a plan reviewed ?
What projects need an architect ?
How do I get an inspection ?
What do I need an inspection for?
What are the minimum property standards ?
What are the inspection fees ?

Do I need a license renewal?
Licenses for merchants, liquor sales, security guard, adult entertainment, and amusement games must be renewed annually. Online forms are available for most of these licenses. For specific information regarding any of these licenses, visit the Customer Service Office at City Hall (401 Independence ) or by calling 573-339-6322.

For more information please call 573-339-6322.

I need a driver’s license?
The License Bureau is operated by the State of Missouri . The Cape Girardeau License Bureau is located at 112 S. Spanish and can be contacted at 573-335-3659.

For more information please call the License Bureau at 573-335-3659.

How do I get a marriage license?
Marriage licenses can be obtained through Cape Girardeau County . The County Recorder is located at the County Office Building in Jackson and can be contacted at 573-243-8123.

For more information please call the County Recorder at 573-243-8123.

Do I need a merchant/business license?
Any new business must have a business license. Business license forms can be obtained online or by visiting the Customer Service Office at City Hall (401 Independence ) or by printing license forms online.

For more information, call the Customer Service Office at 573-339-6322.

I need a business license.
A business license may be obtained by visiting the Customer Service Office at City Hall (401 Independence ) or by printing license forms online.

For more information, call the Customer Service Office at 573-339-6322.

I need a liquor license.
A liquor license may be obtained online or by visiting the Customer Service Office at City Hall (401 Independence ) or by printing license forms online.

For more information, call the Customer Service Office at 573-339-6322.

I need a security guard license.
A security guard license may be obtained by visiting the Customer Service Office at City Hall (401 Independence ) or by printing license forms online.

For more information, call the Customer Service Office at 573-339-6322.

I need an adult entertainment license.
Am adult entertainment license may be obtained online by visiting the Customer Service Office at City Hall (401 Independence ) or by printing license forms online.

For more information, call the Customer Service Office at 573-339-6322.

How do I get a trade license (contractor, electrician, plumber, mechanical installer)?
To obtain a contractor’s license, an applicant must submit proof of general liability insurance in the amount of no less than $300,000, proof of workman’s compensation, and pay an annual fee of $35. Licenses expire every March 1.

To obtain an electrician’s, drainlayer’s, plumber’s or mechanical installer’s license, an applicant must submit an application to the Board of Examiners and present notarized proof of at least four years of experience and/or schooling. Upon the Board’s approval, the applicant will be required to be tested by Prometric, a national testing firm. There is no fee to submit an application to the Board of Examiners, but Prometric charges $70 per exam. Once the exam has been taken and passed, the applicant will go through the same steps as a contractor would to obtain the license. Applications to the Board of Examiners and information on exams may be obtained in the office of Inspection Services, 401 Independence St .

You can call the Inspection Services Office 573-339-8328 for more information or visit their office on the first floor of City Hall (401 Independence ).

When do I need a building permit?
A building permit is required when you construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure; when you change the occupancy of a building or structure requiring greater strength, exit or sanitary provisions; to change to another use; or to install or alter any equipment covered under the City’s building codes.

A building permit is not required if your project is "cosmetic": for example, wallpapering, flooring, siding, replacing drywall, etc.

A building permit covers the structural aspects of the project only. It does not include any electrical, mechanical or plumbing work. These require separate permits. An alteration permit must be obtained for any driveways or sidewalks installed or repaired on City right of way .

You can call the Inspection Services Office 573-339-6328 for more information or visit their office on the first floor of City Hall (401 Independence ).

How do I get a building permit?
An application may be obtained online or at the Inspection Services Office located at City Hall, Room 106, 401 Independence St. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Two sets of prints are required for residential projects and four sets of prints are required for commercial projects. Site plans and footing details may also be required. Call the office to find out what specific information will be required for your project.

Only contractors licensed within the city of Cape Girardeau can obtain permits. However, homeowners may also obtain permits if they own the house, live in the house and are performing the work themselves.

You can call the Inspection Services Office 573-339-6328 for more information or visit their office on the first floor of City Hall (401 Independence ).

How much is a building permit?
Building permit costs vary with the type of permit issued. Building permits are divided into new construction and additions, remodeling, signs and billboards, demolition, reinspection fees, and miscellaneous. Permits are also issued for excavation, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, sewer tap fees, and water service installation.

You can call the Inspection Services Office 573-339-6328 for more information or visit their office on the first floor of City Hall (401 Independence ).

How do I get a special use permit?
You need to fill out an application that is available online or at the City’s Planning Services Division. Once the application is submitted, it will be put on the Planning and Zoning Agenda and the commission will review it and make a recommendation to the City Council. It will then have a Public Hearing and the City Council will vote on it.

Visit the Planning Services office on the second floor of City Hall (401 Independence ) or call 573-339-6326 for details.

How do I get a burning permit?
Residents of Cape Girardeau may burn yard waste only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on their own property. IT IS ILLEGAL to burn garbage, paper, plastic or lumber. You may not burn in ditches, streets, gutters or easements belonging to the City. Burning Permits are issued on the day you want to burn after 8:00 a.m. There is no charge for a Burning Permit.

An inspector will come to your home and issue the permit to you. He will check to be sure that the area you have chosen is safe and that you have a garden hose available. Leaves and small brush piles may be burned without a permit between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Care should be taken not to burn leaves on windy or overcast days. You must remain with the fire while it is burning, and extinguish it before you leave. See Outdoor Burning Guidelines .

For more information please call the Fire Department at 573-339-6330.

Where can I register for voting?
Voter registration is operated by Cape Girardeau County . An office is located at the Common Pleas Courthouse at 44 N. Lorimier and can be contacted at 573-334-9060. You can also register to vote when obtaining your Missouri driver’s license.

For more information please call the County Clerk at 573-334-9060.

Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
Birth Certificates can be obtained at the Cape Girardeau County Health Department. Their office is located at the County Public Health Center at 1121 Linden in Cape Girardeau and can be contacted at 573-335-7846.

For more information please call the County Health Department at 573-335-7846.

I need to show proof of insurance for a City construction project.
Contact the Human Resources Office at City Hall (401 Independence) by calling 573-339-6390.

For more information please call the Human Resources office at 573-339-6390.

How do I get an occupancy certificate?
Occupancy permits are issued after the final inspection has been approved by the building inspector, fire marshal and county health inspector. The general contractor is responsible for requesting these inspections if necessary, completing any corrections requested by the inspector and scheduling additional inspections. Upon completion of all inspections, a certificate will be issued to owners of commercial structures. Upon request, certificates for residential structures may also be issued.

For more information please call the Inspection Services office at 573-339-6328.

I need a variance for my project.
There are three types of variances which may be required for a project.

1) Special Use Permits allows for uses in areas in which the use is not permitted (for example, commercial use in a residentially zoned area). Special Use Permits and zoning issues are handled by the Planning and Zoning Commission, an advisory board of the City. City Council approval is also required for these. The Planning and Zoning commission meets every second Wednesday of the month. A $125.00 fee is required. For more information on Special Use Permits, contact the Division of Planning Services, 401 Independence Street, (573)339-6326.

2) Variances to the zoning codes are regulated by the Board of Adjustments. This Board handles such issues as variances to building set backs, where to place driveways, etc. City Council approval is not required for these types of variances. The Board of Adjustments meets every first Thursday of the month. A $50.00 fee is also required at the time the application is submitted. More information on these variances may be obtained through the Division of Inspection Services, 401 Independence Street, (573)339-6328.

3) Variances to the building codes are handled through the Board of Appeals. This Board handles variance requests that deal with actual construction of a structure as required by the building code. City Council approval is not required for these types of variances. The Board of Appeals meets every second Thursday of the month. No fee is required. More information on these variances may be obtained through the Division of Inspection Services, 401 Independence Street, (573)339-6328.

For more information on Special Use Permits and zoning variances, contact the Division of Planning Services, 401 Independence Street, (573)339-6326.

For more information on building codes variances, contact  the Division of Inspection Services, 401 Independence Street, (573)339-6328.

What are the differences between the zoning classifications?
The differences are as follows:

For more information please call the Planning Services office at 573-339-6326

What building code do we work under?
Cape Girardeau is currently regulated by the 2003 International Building Code; the 2002 National Electric Code (NEC); the 2003 International Fire Code; the 2003 International Residential Code; the 2003 International Plumbing Code; the 2003 International Mechanical Code; the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code; the 2003 International Existing Building Code and the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code. 

For more information please call the Inspection Services office at 573-339-6328.

How long does it take to get a plan reviewed?
Residential plans may take up to 5 working days to review, commercial projects require up to 15 working days.

For more information please call the Inspection Services office at 573-339-6328.

What projects need an architect?
One and two family dwellings do not require an architect’s seal. Plans for commercial projects in which the structure is over 20,000 cubic feet or plans for structures which employs, houses, assemble or provides food for more than nine persons are required to be sealed by a licensed Missouri architect. As per Chapter 327 RSMo

For more information please call the Inspection Services office at 573-339-6328.

How do I get an inspection?
Call the Inspection Services Office at 573-339-6328 during office hours. Inspection requests called into the office in the morning will be scheduled for an inspection that afternoon. Inspections called into the office in the afternoon will be scheduled for the next morning.

For more information please call 573-339-6328.

What do I need an inspection for?
Any project requiring a permit also requires an inspection. Typical inspections include:

For more information please call the Inspection Services office at 573-339-6328.

What are the minimum property standards?
The minimum property standards are a set of building code standards that apply to existing properties. (The ICC Building Code applies to new construction.) These set of standards were adopted by the City Council to maintain a minimum standard of living in Cape Girardeau and are applied to single family dwellings, rental units and commercial structures. Affected citizens may file a complaint against a property online or at the Inspection Services Office.

For more information please call the Inspection Services Office at 573-339-6328.

What are the inspection fees?
The costs of inspections are included in the cost of the individual permit. Each additional inspection required to bring an item up to code costs $15.00.

For more information please call the Inspection Services office at 573-339-6328.