Welcome to the Department of Building for the City of Cottleville.  Building Permits are required for most building construction activities in the City.  Occupancy permits are also required for changes in use and tenancy of commercial and residential structures within the City.  The following are provided as general guidelines for building activity within the City of Cottleville and may not be applicable to every situation. 

To schedule Commercial Inspections, please contact the building department c/o George Butler Associates, Inc., at 636-978-7006.

To schedule Residential Inspections, please contact Lindsay at City Hall at 636-498-6565.

Projects that require an Occupancy Permit

The following projects require an occupancy inspection and permit within the City.  Occupancy inspections are provided as a courtesy by the City and can be scheduled simply by calling 636-498-6565.  Any proposed modifications described under "Projects that require a Building Permit" identified during the occupancy inspection must also obtain a building permit.

• Buying, Selling, Leasing, or Renting a residential structure
• Changing tenancy of a residentially or commercially leased or rented structure/space
• Changing the use of a structure (such as changing from residential to commercial)
• Changing ownership of a commercial structure

Projects that require a Building Permit (be sure to check the code to be certain)

• All new construction of a residential or commercial structure
• Any electrical re-wiring of a home or addition
• Changes in electrical service or service up-grade
• Any plumbing change in home or addition
• Replace or repair sewer laterals
• Replace or repair water service
• New garages, carports, room additions
• Retaining walls over 48 inches high or 24 feet long
• Replacement of air condition & heating units

Codes

The City of Cottleville has adopted the following building codes as standards for residential and commercial construction:

• IBC 2003
• IRC 2003
• NEC 2002
• IMC 2003
• IPC 2003
• IPMC 2003

For information about these codes or to order copies, please visit www.iccsafe.org. 

Applying for a Building Permit

You can apply for a permit by downloading a building permit application from the forms and permit page.  After you have completed the application form and compiled the necessary documentation as described below, submit your application, plans, and documentation to Cottleville City Hall, 5490 Fifth Street, Cottleville, Mo 63304.  You can download a list of building permit and plan review fees from the taxes and fees page.  Make certain you check with the Fire District for any additional permits or requirements.  IMPORTANT - Most projects within Old Town Cottleville require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Old Town Historic District Commission prior to the submittal of a building permit application.

In most cases, building permits will be issued within two weeks after the application and all plans/documentation have been received.

Residential Construction:  Provide (two) 2 sets of plans, including all pertinent information, specification, dimensions, and materials relevant to the construction process.  All work must be constructed in accordance with the issued approved plans.  The building inspector does not have the authority to approve any changes or deviations from the approved plans.

Plan Requirements:

1. Plot plan
2. Sealed truss drawings (1 set only)
3. Foundation plan/Footing plan
4. Floor plans (show electrical switches, lights, receptacle, exhaust fans and smoke detectors)
5. Four (4) exterior elevations
6. Wall sections (from footing through roof) - one for each type of construction (ie., brick, veneer, vinyl siding, etc.)
7. Stair section
8. Plan, elevation and section of fireplace(s) and chimney(s)
9. Ventilation calculations

Commercial Construction:

1. Two (2) sets of site plans approved by the Planning & Zoning Department
2. Two (2) sets of sealed building plans consisting of cover sheet stating:
   a. Occupant load
   b. Use group
   c. Type of construction
   d. Required fire rating
   e. Height and area computations
   f. Percent open perimeter
   g. Actual floor area
   h. Adjusted tabular area
   i. Allowable building per floor
   j. Unlimited area building

Plan Requirements consisting of:

General

1. Four (4) elevations with dimensions - front, rear, left, right
2. Foundation and pier layout
3. Floor layout - all rooms and areas to be named
4. Wall cut - starting at bottom of footing to roof covering handicapped accessibility

Specific

1. Header and lintel sizes
2. All concrete floors, walls, pads, and footing sizes
3. Reinforcing materials and sizes
4. Special designs to be detailed
5. Floor, roof, show and wind loads, and seismic calculations
6. Truss designs and calculations, also applies to stick built rafters
7. Plumbing, mechanical, electrical layout and HVAC with calculations
8. Fire separation walls to be marked in hours
9. Type of fire protection system
10. Seismic designs and calculations

Basement Finish:

Application must be accompanied by the following:

Two (2) sets of plans that include:

1. Framing
2. Plumbing
3. Electrical
4. Mechanical (ventilation)

Structure Addition, Four/Three Season Room:  Easements for various purposes are routinely platted.  It is the applicant's resonsibility to ensure that the proposed construction does not encroach onto any easements.  All construction must be located in compliance with the same side/rear yard setbacks distance as required by the zoning district for the house.  Your subdivision may have additional covenant requirements.

Application must be accompanied by the following:

1. Two copies of plot plan showing the location of the existing structures and the proposed deck/addition/four or three season room.  Distances to lot lines and to existing structures.
2. Two (2) sets of plans that include:
   a. Framing
   b. Plumbing
   c. Electrical
   d. Mechanical (ventilation)

Tenant Finish and Commercial Build-outs: 

Application must be accompanied by the following: (Name & type of business need to be specified on the applications).

Two (2) sets of plans that include:

1. Framing
2. Plumbing
3. Electrical
4. Mechanical (ventilation)

Demolition:

Application must be accompanied by the following:

1. Letter of utilities disconnections (water, gas, electric)
2. Septic tank removal (obtained from St. Charles County) - contact Sandy May @ 636-949-7346
3. Asbestos removal

Miscellaneous Applications:

1. All electrical, plumbing, mechanical (heating/AC) repair/upgrade
2. Project must be completed by a licensed contractor

Applying for a Sign Permit

Sign prmits follow a simialr procedure to building permits.  You can apply for a permit by downloading a sign permit application from the forms and permits page.  After you have completed the application form and compiled the necessary documentation as described, submit your application, plans, and documentation to Cottleville City Hall, 5490 Fifth Street, Cottleville, Mo 63304.

Sign Permits:

• Signs shall follow the City's Sign Ordinance.
• Include two (2) color drawings of the sign with all applicable dimensions
• Include two (2) blueprints or ink drawings of the plans and specifications of the sign to be erected or affixed, method of construction, and attachment to the building or ground.  Plans and specifications shall include details of dimensions, materials, color, and weight
• Signs located in commercial plazas need to follow the approved "Sign Theme" for the plaza
• Signs with nore than three (3) colors require special approval from the Board of Aldermen
• Signs located in Old Town Cottleville also require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Old Town Historic District Commission
• Fees for monument or large wall signs requiring multiple inspections will be based upon the number of estimated inspections

Housing and Development

If you are interested in finding out about housing and development within the City, click here for information on current and planned residential developments.

Commercial Development

If you are interested in finding, leasing, or developing commercial space within the City, click here for information on current or planned commercial developments.