Permits and Inspections Overview

All new occupancies or change of occupancies in the West County EMS & Fire Protection District shall apply for an Operational Permit with the District prior to occupying the space. Occupancy or Re-occupancy only applies to situations where there is no interior or exterior renovation work. (Paint, floor covering and signage are not considered “work” for permitting purposes). The Operational Permit fee is $100 and shall be submitted at the time of application. Once an application and fee are received, the inspection will be scheduled. Occupants may NOT occupy the space prior to passing an occupancy inspection by the District. Also, if the intended new Use Group of the space differs from the previous use, an architectural assessment and code analysis by a licensed Missouri architect will be required to be submitted for review.

A new occupant that will be renovating an existing space prior to moving in must first apply for and obtain an Occupancy Inspection
before any permits will be entertained. The District’s Occupancy Inspection will note the presence of any deficiencies required to be corrected during the permitting process and will confirm that work requiring a permit has not started prior to permit issuance.

For work on commercial properties and/or commercial buildings in the West County EMS & Fire District and contracted areas:

For renovations to an existing commercial building where no expansion of the building footprint or modifications to parking lot, driveway or fire lanes occurs, submittal for an Occupancy Permit (for new occupants) and submittal for a Building Permit from the District are typically the starting point for the project.

For new buildings, expansion of existing buildings, projects requiring Planning & Zoning approval by another authority or ANY project where parking lot, driveway or fire lane changes are planned, a Site Plan Permit application and submittal is the starting point for the project.

You will need to submit the following via web link, hard copies of plans are not accepted. 

1. A completed Permit Application.  The application may be made for multiple permit types on the same project, however the necessary plans for each permit type must be attached to the application.  The permit application form is available HERE.

2. One (1) electronic copy of a full set of plans in PDF format MUST be uploaded to the permit application. The District DOES NOT allow deferred submittals. In other words, Building, Sprinkler, Alarm and any other required permit submittals MUST be submitted and reviewed BEFORE any permits will be issued for any discipline on a project.

The plans submitted must be FINAL plans, not preliminary plans. A list or the minimum required information is provided in the Permit Application packet linked above. The plans must be signed and sealed by the Missouri-licensed professional engineer or registered architect that drew or supervised the development of the plans. The design professional of record individual MUST be employed for the firm shown in the title block (or show themselves in the title block if self-employed). Engineering and Architecture firms that are registered as Corporations, LC/LLC’s or LP/LLP’s must also have and list their Engineering or Architectural Corporation Certificate number from the Missouri Board for APEPLSPLA. Proper licensure will be confirmed during review. Plans that do not conform to Proper licensure will be confirmed during review. Plans that do not conform to Missouri Board for APEPLSPLA rules and requirements will not be processed until all licensure requirements are met. More detail and history on the topic of licensure and stamping can be viewed HERE.

Once the plans are reviewed, the applicant will be contacted via e-mail. The e-mail will indicate whether or not any further information is required or will indicate that a permit is invoiced and include the amount of the permit fee and a link to pay if electronic payment is desired. The standard fee is $200 plus $3.50/$1000 of work valuation. A convenience fee for payment by credit card will apply. All fees are payable to the West County EMS and Fire Protection District. Typically, plans require between 10 and 15 business days to review and have a permit issued. When plan volumes and inspections are low, turnaround time can be much quicker. During times of higher volume, plans may take slightly longer. Also, please note that the amount of work shown in plans also has an effect on review time. Plans may be submitted concurrent to municipal and/or County review.

Work (including mobilization, demolition and/or remediation) may begin only AFTER the required fire district-issued permit(s) are paid for and posted at the main entrance to the building in a conspicuous location. Work occurring prior to having a West County EMS & Fire Permit will be subject to a Stop Work Order, removal of improvements, equipment and materials as well as a violation notice. The permitted and approved set of plans must remain on the jobsite and will be the reference document for all inspections. If the plans change after submittal for the permit, the revised plans must be resubmitted for review.

We have tried to include guides to common topics of interest and helpful information on the permitting and inspection process on this page as well as our Forms, Guides & Information page.  If we still have not covered your question, please consider the following options:

• For inquries about our commercial permitting process overall or to inquire about or introduce a specific project that has not yet been submitted for permits, please make the initial contact via email to planning@westcounty-fire.org

• For inquiries about a specific permit already issued or help with the permit submittal process, please make the initial contact via email to permits@westcounty-fire.org

• For inquiries about a pending or past inspection, to request a permit inspection or to request an annual inspection, pleaes make the initial contact via email to inspections@westcounty-fire.org