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About City Planning and Development
The City Planning and Development Department guides future physical and economic development. Staff in this department manages development policy, conducts research and supports the City’s long-term vision. The Department also works to guide the development process by issuing permits, reviewing plans and enforcing development policy.
To find out more about the City Planning and Development Department activities, view our 2025 Printable Annual Report. Previous reports can be found in our archive.
Certified Permitting Update:
Kansas City is introducing a Certified Permitting Program that allows qualified architects and engineers to certify compliance for new one family residential projects, streamlining the plan review process.
The program sets clear standards for eligibility, training, audits, and enforcement, with a target review timeline of four business days.
Launching in late July 2026, the initiative will be evaluated after 12–15 months to guide improvements and potential expansion. The full program description can be found here
Kansas City Building Code Update: Public Engagement Series
Please join City Planning and Development staff for an open house style discussion on updates to the Kansas City Building and Development Code.
Join us Thursday, August 27th, 2026 at Northland Neighborhoods Inc. from 5:00-7:00pm to participate in our fourth and final meeting.
Permits Division Walk-in Hours of Operation
The department will be open to walk-in customers from 8:30am to 4:00pm weekdays.
Plan Review Processing
All existing applications for plan review requiring plan revisions may be resubmitted through CompassKC. New commercial and residential plan review applications may be submitted as well.
Building Permit Processing
Permit processing has resumed normal operations. If you received a paper permit during the system outage, this form must be on the job site. Once the temporary paper permit has been digitized into CompassKC you'll receive a notification of the new permanent permit number and permit form.
Inspection Functions
Any inspection that is a reinspection of an inspection after 5/3/2024 and that a paper inspection report was left on site will need the paper inspection report on site for verification, until future notice.