Purpose of Building Inspections

To provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures within the City of Grain Valley.

 

Standards of Adequate Structures

We have standards called "Minimum Housing" standards.  These standards have guidelines which require homeowners to have adequate maintenance, which directly deals with the health and well being of the person(s) living within that certain structure.  Some examples of inadequate structures are:

• Dilapidation

• Obsolescence

• Fire Hazard

• Disaster

• Damage

• Abandonment

 

Commonly seen substandard problems:

Windows and Doors: Every exterior opening shall be fitted with a window, door, basement hatchway cover or crawl space cover.  Each opening must be kept in good repair to prevent animals, rain and surface drainage from entering the structure, and maintained in a functional condition.

Foundations: Foundations must be substantially watertight and weather-tight, may not have openings which would allow animals to enter and must adequately support the building at all points.

Exterior Surfaces: The exterior shall be free of holes, breaks, and loose or damaged construction material or any other means which would allow rain, moisture, insects or animals inside and must be properly painted and substantially watertight and weather-tight.

Attached Structures: Porches, landings, fire escapes, deck railings and outside stairs must be maintained in a safe condition and support the loads they carry.

Procedures

The Building Inspector will attempt to abate the problem by repair, rehabilitation or demolition.  We typically give ten (10) days to make all minor repairs, but time is granted to persons showing effort.  Major repairs may take more time depending on the nature of the existing violations and generally more time is given to make all necessary repairs.

 

Building Permit Requirements

There are many times when permits are required for a number of types of construction. A few examples of when permits are required are:

• Buildings or Sheds over 200 square feet

• Room Additions

• Sewer Repair

• Water Heaters and Furnaces

• Decks over thirty (30) inches in height

• Fences over six (6) feet in height

• Other miscellaneous types of construction

Note: Citizens installing a sprinkler system will now be required to obtain a building permit