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Planning & Development

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1. When is a building permit required?

A building permit must be obtained prior to commencing any new construction or alterations to an existing structure. This includes, but not limited to, some of the following projects:

• New Building
• Additions
• Renovations
• Demolition
• Prefabricated Structures
• Temporary Buildings
• Electrical Systems
• HVAC Systems
• Plumbing
• Signs
• Landscaping

The plan review process and subsequent inspections protect you, your family, friends, and future owners against the potential hazards of unsafe construction. It also protects your investment, as many insurers do not pay claims on construction performed without the benefit of a building permit, the required inspections, and certificate of occupancy. For more information click here.

2. How do I apply for a permit?

Permit Application Process Flowchart

The Residential Permit Process

The Commercial Permit Process 

All permit requests need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

3. How much does a building or a sign permit cost?

For any project, cost is always important. Understanding how permits and plan review fees are calculated will be helpful when bidding or estimating the costs for the permit. Fees are calculated for permit and plan review fees for your project based on the information provided on your application. You can also access our Fees and Guidelines here.

4. What is a plan review fee for a building permit?

The plan review fee is a non-refundable charge for reviewing plans that are submitted with an Application for Building Permit. The fee is based on the estimated total costs for the construction. The plan review fee is collected at the time an application is submitted.

5. Does the city accept electronic plans?

Yes. All plans, drawings, and documents associated with an application or request need to be submitted electronically through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson). Commercial plans need to be digitally stamped by a Missouri Registered Design Professional architect and/or engineer.

6. How long will it take to get a building permit once I submit my application and plans?

Various plans go through the review process with up to seven departments reviewing your application and plans. As a rule, we expect a residential permit (new construction, additions, and remodels) will receive an initial response letter or approval within five working days or less. Commercial and multi-family (three or more units) will receive an initial response letter or approval within ten working days or less. The potential factors that can create delays are numerous. The most common is failure to submit the required plans for a permit. Obtaining a permit in a timely manner depends heavily on the unique issues of your project, the quality of the submitted plans, and the responsiveness of your representative when a reviewer requests additional information or revisions.

Permit Application Process Flowchart

7. When can I pick up my building permit?

Once your application has completed the plan review process, you and members of your team will receive a notification from the city’s Citizenserve Portal that your permit is ready for final payment and then download.  The permit will also include the inspection card which will identify the minimum required inspections for your project.  It is not necessary to print off these items, but you may and post them at the jobsite if desired.

8. How long is my building permit valid?

Your permit is valid for six months from the date of its last activity. In other words, if a period of more than six months lapses after your last inspection (or from the date of issuance if you have not yet received any inspections) then your job is considered suspended or abandoned, and your permit may be revoked due to inactivity.

9. What are the current building codes that apply to my construction projects?

For a list of the current codes and amendments adopted by the City of Branson, click here.

10. When do I need to apply for a sign permit?

The most common activities requiring a permit include, but are not limited to, the construction or installation of a new sign, changing the size or location of an existing sign, upgrading signs from static displays to electronic or digital displays, and adding or changing sign lighting.  Any sign permit requests need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

11. Do I need a sign permit just to do repairs to my sign?

General maintenance or upkeep of signs may be completed without a sign permit, provided no modifications are made to the sign or sign structure. Painting a sign structure is a common type of maintenance that can be performed without a permit. However, if the sign must be disassembled, either partially or totally, a permit request will need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

12. Do I need a sign permit to simply reface my existing sign?

No. A sign permit is no longer needed for refacing an existing sign.  For any other modifications to an existing sign, a permit request will need to be made through the city’s Citizenserve Portal (www.citizenserve.com/branson).  If you have questions or need any assistance with the process, please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

13. How much signage can I have on my property and what types of signs are allowed?

There are many parameters and conditions that are involved in calculating allowed signage, the placement of signs, and the types of signs. Please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. 

14. Can I change my sign from on-premises advertising to off-premises advertising?

There are many parameters and conditions that are involved in changing an existing on-premise sign to an off-premise sign. Please contact the Planning & Development Department at (417) 337-8549 during business hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

15. I had a sign displayed and someone removed it – what happened?

Any sign that is placed on public property, such as city and state right-of-ways or easements, or has been attached to a utility pole, road sign, utility equipment cabinets, etc., will be removed by city code enforcement personnel. All approved signs must be properly located on private property only.

16. What are the regulations for removing a tree from my property?

All trees that are 6 inches in diameter and measures 4-1/2 feet from the ground are protected in the City of Branson, which means a request must be submitted prior to the removal of a tree. This request must be filed on Citizenserve. 

17. Do I need a permit to trim a tree?

The City of Branson does not require a permit to trim trees.

For information on tree pruning and other tree care tips visit the Arbor Day Foundation's website by clicking the link below.

Arbor Day Foundation

18. What is the purpose of landscape code requirements?

Landscaping requirements were developed and have evolved over the years because of the many benefits associated with appropriate uses of landscaping within a community. Carefully designed landscaping can preserve the aesthetic character of communities or even improve the aesthetic quality of the built environment. It can also deter erosion, promote native wildlife, allow for infiltration of surface water into groundwater resources and reduce the quantity and improve the quality of storm water discharge. You can access the city's landscaping regulations here.