Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the Code Enforcement FAQs. If these don’t answer your question, call 816.439.4539 or email Code Enforcement. To view the City Code look under City Code Chapter 21: Nuisances.

Discarded appliances, household items, litter, debris, clutter, unused or broken objects should never be visible from the street or surrounding properties. Store wanted items inside and dispose of unwanted items. Tarpaulins and covers may not be used to conceal outside storage. To arrange a collection of unwanted trash and bulky objects contact a private hauler or Liberty’s trash service provider, Republic at 816.521.3110. The city offers two yearly curb side collection events for excess trash bulky items by appointment, please call prior to putting things outside and to inquire about limits.  Also during these two periods a limb and log disposal site is open for residents to haul yard waste. Another option for residents is to subscribe to weekly curbside yard waste collection, also provided through Republic Services. Some auto stores take used tires for a small fee. Other trash and recycling information can be obtained on the City’s website.

All vehicles parked on the residential front yard (corner lots have two front yards) are required to be on improved surfaces, i.e. a driveway or paved parking space. An additional parking space of concrete or gravel can be created without a permit alongside the existing drive, provided that a four foot buffer between the drive and property line is maintained. It can be 20 feet long and nine feet wide. It should be filled with concrete or six inches of compacted gravel and the edges defined with landscaping materials. Once the space has been created on any property, it should be maintained in order to remain a true parking space. Keep in mind, some subdivisions may have homeowner’s association regulations that do not allow the addition of a parking space. At no time should the area parallel to the street be paved or used as a parking space. Vehicles parked on the street should have tires fully on the street pavement and not over the curb or on the grass. Contact a Planner at 816.439.4543 if you have questions about adding an additional parking space.

Yes, if the drive is to extend to the street. Any excavation or work done in the street right-of-way requires a permit from the City Engineer at 816.439.4503.

Enforcement of unlicensed/inoperable vehicles and cars that appear abandoned or unattended on a city street should be reported to the police department at 816.439.4701. All types of recreational vehicles are required to be parked on private property.

Weeds and grass are not to exceed six inches in residential and developed areas. Citizens are responsible for maintaining and mowing the property to the curb, street or alley where they reside. In certain cases where grass or weeds are not regularly cut, the city may mow the property and bill the cost of the mowing to the property owner. City Code only requires the city to send a one time notification in a calendar year on a property in violation of the weed ordinance. A second violation on the same property with the same property owner is considered a repeat offense. Repeat offenses can be abated by the city and billed without further notice being sent. Any owner interested in a hearing before the director should make that request known within five days after receiving the “Notice to Comply” by making a written request to the director of development. Certainly unforeseeable circumstances can prevent the best of intentions. A phone call to request a short extension upon receiving this letter will be considered. Once the violation is reported or observed, since all the particulars are unknown to us, we have to address the issue at once as vegetation can get out of control rather quickly. Even when violations are sent during rainy periods, the weather usually breaks sometime during the ten days allowing the property owner to mow or trim weeds. On rental properties, the agreement made for mowing the lot is unknown to us so the property owner is responsible. If you no longer own the property in question or believe this report is in error, please advise us at once so we can correct our records. Or if you wish to discuss this matter further please give us a call 816.439.4539 or email.

A home based business (when permitted by the city) may display a wall sign on the home that does not exceed one square foot in area. No other signs for advertising a business or product are permitted on or off-site. For Rent or For Sale signs are permitted but must be displayed on private property. Incorrectly placed signs are subject to removal. For questions call 816.439.4543.

Property owners are required to secure a vacant house or structure to prevent unlawful entry. It may be necessary to board up glass windows to prevent damage or vandalism. Sometimes these properties are abandoned, under foreclosure or in probate court for years and may become unsightly, yet may not be considered dangerous. The nuisance ordinance does have minimum requirements for exterior property maintenance. A vacant property can be inspected if reported as a concern for a neighborhood.