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Codes and Planning

The Codes Department is responsible for ensuring quality construction practices in the private sector. In order to accomplish this goal, building plans are reviewed and construction activity is inspected. In addition, the department is responsible for enforcement of the City's Zoning Ordinances and for coordinating rezoning changes. Condemnation and demolition of properties is the responsibility of this department, as well as property maintenance inspections for the City. This includes addressing weeds, trash, unlicensed vehicles and nuisance issues within the city limits. The department also handles rental housing and property complaints, management and enforcement of the sanitary waste disposal ordinance, water and sewer connection inspections, flood plain management, subdivision platting, and subdivision plan reviews.

The City Planner is the staff representative for the Planning & Zoning Commission and the Kirksville Historic Preservation Commission. The Code Enforcement Director is the staff representative for the Board of Adjustment.

To report unsafe buildings or any other code violations, please complete a Citizen Service Request, or contact the Codes Department at 660.627.1272.

Lot Split

In order to divide any parcel of land within the city of Kirksville, the applicant must submit four (4) field surveys, the lot split application, and the application fees to the Code Enforcement Director. The lot split application contains all the information needed to know if your property is a good candidate for consideration.

When the applicant provides the surveys, application, and fees, the Code Enforcement Director will determine if the lot split will meet city requirements. If it does, he will forward the lot split to the City Manager for approval. If the City Manager approves, it will be filed with the Adair County Recorder. If the lot split does not meet all requirements of the city, the City Manager will not approve the lot split. The applicant will have the option to present the lot split before the City Council to see if they will approve it. If so, the Codes Enforcement Director will then place the lot split on an upcoming City Council Agenda as an action item. If council then passes it as an approved lot split, the City will file the lot split with the Adair County Recorder.  

The Application Fees consist of a flat fee of $250 plus $2.00 for each lot, including the parent lot. Again, these fees are due at the time the field surveys and the lot split application is submitted to the Code Enforcement Director.

It is very important to remember that a division of land located within the City Limits of Kirksville, Missouri is not legal unless submitted to and approved by the Kirksville City Council with an ordinance signed by the Mayor and then filed with the Adair County Recorder of Deeds.

We have added a link to the Lot Split Application for your convenience. For further assistance and any questions, please contact the Codes Enforcement Director at 660.627.1272.

Lot Split Application

Property Maintenance Information

The City of Kirksville Code of Ordinances requires properties in the city to maintain a clean appearance. The Codes Department has an inspector who is the primary enforcement officer for our main violation complaints: excessive trash or rubbish, unlicensed vehicles, excessive height of grass or weeds, and exterior display or storage of household items. The specific code for enforcement of these violations is:

Sec. 24-2 (of the City Ordinances) Exterior display or storage of household items

Sec. 24-3 (a) (of the City Ordinances) Grass and Weeds ordinance

 Sec. 24-3 (b) (of the City Ordinances) Accumulation of rubbish or garbage  

 Sec. 24-4 (of the City Ordinances) Wrecked, damaged, demolished, disabled, disassembled, inoperative, or currently unlicensed vehicles

If you observe violations of the above ordinances or any others in your neighborhood, please call the Codes Department at 660.627.1272 and report your concerns or complete a Citizen Service Request. It will be investigated, and if verified, we will take steps to bring the property into compliance. 


Contractor Testing Requirement

The City of Kirksville requires Contractors to pass comprehensive testing before they can be approved to be a general contractor, electrician and/or plumber within the City of Kirksville. Each individual specialty test is 25 multiple choice questions catered to the field specialty. Study guides are available to be checked out once your business license paperwork has been submitted to the Finance Department. Verification of payment will be required before the Study Guide can leave City Hall.

Can I bypass the testing requirement?

There are actually several ways to get the testing requirement waived. Check out the municipal code for all the conditions available for test waiving. You will want to refer to item (f), number (4).

What if I fail the test(s)?

The first test is included in your business license fee; however, if you fail, a second test is required for an additional $25.00 testing fee that must be paid before the test is issued. This is for each specialty. For example, if you are a general contractor in addition to an electrician and a plumber and you fail two of the three tests, you will have to pay $50 in order to retake the two tests you failed.

What if I fail the second test(s)?

If you fail the second round of testing, you will be required to wait two weeks before testing again. After two weeks, you can come back in and pay another $25.00 per test to take the first test(s) over again. If you fail again, you can turn around and pay an additional $25.00 per test to retake the second test(s) again. If you fail that round, it is required to wait another two weeks before starting the process over again.

For more information regarding the contractor’s testing, contact Codes & Planning at 660.627.1272.


Contact Information

Location

201 South Franklin Street
Kirksville, MO 63501

Phone: 660.627.1272
Fax: 660.627.1026

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Reid Yardley, Code Enforcement Director
ryardley@kirksville.gov


Additional Links

Kirksville Historic Preservation Commission

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Ordinance

Demolition Program

Municipal Code

Think Kirksville 2040 - Comprehensive Plan