Frequently Asked Questions

Every other Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the City Hall, 1100 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, Missouri. The meetings are shown live on cable channel 19 and streamed live here.

There are two periods - one in the spring and one in the fall. The Fire Department is only responsible for enforcing the open burning rules and regulations. Open burning guidelines:

• Burning for yard waste of residential properties only.
• Burning shall be allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the months of April and November. Fires need to be fully extinguished by 6pm.
• All fires must be in an upright cylindrical metal container with a volume equal to no more than 55 gallons.
• Containers must be located at least fifteen (15) feet away from any building. Only one burn container per residence is allowed.
• All fires shall be monitored from a point on the property where the fire is located, by a person capable of containing a fire, should containment become necessary.
• ONLY dry yard waste such as leaves, brush and logs grown on the property can be burned. NO trash, paper, lumber or building debris may be burned.
• Fire-fighting material, including but not limited to, a garden hose or a container of water sufficient to contain any fire started shall be at the site of the fire.
• If there is a need to report unsafe burning, call the non-emergency line at (816) 271-4777.

Missouri county health departments have access to the database in Jefferson City where vital records are housed. The City of St. Joseph Health Department offers vital records service from 8am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Come to the second floor of Patee Market, with photo identification, to complete an application and pay a $15 fee per copy:

Patee Market

904 S. 10th St.

St. Joseph, MO 64503

The birth must have taken place since 1920 in Missouri. The application must be submitted by the person on the certificate or a family member. 

A State certified record of birth is a legal document. A birth certificate may be required to enroll a child in school, to get a driver’s permit or license, to get married, to travel or get a passport, some employers require them, as do some insurance policies, or for other legal documentation purposes. If you were born in Missouri, a birth certificate is a document accepted by the Missouri Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain a REAL ID.

Infant, child, and adult immunizations are available through the St. Joseph Health Department. See the childhood immunization schedule as recommended by the CDC.

The Clinic accepts many health insurance plans to help off-set the costs of vaccinations, including MO HealthNet. Most immunizations do not require a co-pay or out-of-pocket expense. Some immunizations are provided in the clinic through the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program to children from birth through 18 years of age. Select adult vaccines are also available. 

Services are provided Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., other than the last business day of the month when we are closed in the afternoon to conduct vaccine inventory. Please bring a copy of the most recent immunization record and insurance card. All children less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For additional information and to confirm availability of the vaccine please call 816-271-4725.

Temporary Missouri HealthNet is only for pregnant women. If you have had a positive pregnancy test you can bring your proof of pregnancy to the health department and we can issue your “temp”. You will also need to bring proof of income and your social security number.

The HIV test looks for antibodies to HIV in a blood specimen. Results are available within two weeks to come back and testing is confidential. This antibody test can detect antibodies as soon as 2 weeks - 6 months after infection. The cost of the test is $10.

WIC is the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program which is funded by the federal government. WIC serves women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or whose pregnancy recently ended, and/or infants under 12 months old, and children under 5 years old, who have qualified financially and have been found to have a nutritional risk. Infants and children with a male guardian may also qualify for participation in the WIC program.

Please use the WIC prescreening tool or contact our office at 271-4723 for more information or to see if you qualify. 

Please contact the WIC office at 271-4723 to see if you qualify.  You may also view the WIC prescreening tool for additional information.

The WIC office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for walk-in services and accepts calls until 5:00PM. On the third Thursday of every month the WIC office closes at 1 p.m. for an all-staff meeting. 

Contact the Help Me Hotline at (816) 364-1131 for a complete, up-to-date listing of food pantries.

• Birthright 816-279-8242
• Catholic Charities 816-232-2885
• Community Missions 816-390-8884
• Division of Family Services 816-387-2000
• EOC 816-233-7193
• Family Guidance 816-364-1501
• Head Start 816-233-7193
• Inter-Serv 816-238-4511
• Legal Aid of Western MO 816-364-2325
• NW Health Services 816-232-6818
• NW MO Community Services 816-364-1131
• Mosaic Life Care 816-271-6000
• Parents-As-Teachers 816-671-4300
• Samaritan Counseling Center 816-364-4300
• United Way 816-364-2381
• YMCA 816-671-9622
• YWCA 816-232-4481

• The court is in session at 8 a.m., with trials beginning at 10:00 a.m., Monday through Friday.
• Code violations and animal control dockets are heard at 1 p.m. every other Wednesday.
• Payments can be made between 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Judge cannot discuss a pending case. You must see the Judge during regular court session at 8am or 10:00am, on a first come, first serve basis.

License fees are due June 30th of the current year. For information on whether a business has a business license or on how to figure your license fee, call (816) 271-5342, (816) 271-4757 or visit the business license page. Again direct license fee payments to Customer Services, 1100 Frederick Ave., Room 106, St Joseph, MO 64501.

Applications are only accepted online. To view the current available jobs, visit the job postings page.

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Applications are now being taken for Police Officer on a continual basis. Written tests will be conducted monthly or bimonthly, generally on an annual basis. Notification of the time/date for the written test will be given at the time of application or a letter will be mailed to interested applicants once a date is established.

There is a Liability Claim Form available in the Risk Management Office, Room 101C, City Hall. The form must be filled out and submitted along with two estimates of any damages being claimed. The information is then submitted to the Risk Manager or Claims Technician in the Legal Department, who then processes it through the city’s insurance carrier for review and determination. The city makes no promise/guarantee of payment of any claim. For further information, please contact the Risk Manager at 816-271-4671 or the Claims Technician at 816-271-4739.

Monday-Friday 7am to 4:30pm and the first Saturday of the month from 7am to 2pm

For information, view the Clean Sweep page.

Emergency calls after hours consist of animal bites, injured stray animals, loose livestock, wildlife in an occupied building, or any call where the well-being of a citizen, or an animal, is at risk.

• Adoption fee includes spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, flea control, and microchip.
• City registration is an additional $5
• Feline Leukemia/FIV Test is an additional $25 if the cat has been tested

• Adoption fee includes spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, flea control, age-appropriate heartworm preventative/testing and microchip.
• City registration is an additional $5

The redemption fees for dogs consist of a $10.00 impoundment fee, and a $8.00 per day board fee. If the animal isn’t currently altered at the time of impoundment, then a spay/neuter deposit will be assessed. This fee is based on a sliding scale depending on the animals (for dogs only) weight. 

The redemption fees for cats consist of a $10.00 impoundment fee, and a $8.00 per day board fee. If the animal isn’t currently spayed or neutered at the time of impoundment, there is an additional spay/neuter fee assessed.

If you have lost your pet, it is important that you come to the Shelter to see if it has been impounded. Due to the owner’s description not matching the officer’s description, staff will not provide this information over the telephone. Stray animals are held for 5 business days not including the day of impound before they become city property. You may also view the animals at the Shelter online.

If you have found an animal with a city registration tag, you may contact the shelter and the owner’s name will be provided. You can take the pet to a veterinary clinic or the animal shelter to have it scanned for a microchip. Our community has an active lost and found pets Facebook page which has been successful in reuniting many pets with their owners. You can bring the found animal to the animal shelter during business hours or call the shelter to ask if an officer can pick him up for you.  The shelter does not accept pets from outside the St. Joseph city limits.

All dogs and cats three (3) months of age or older are required to vaccinated for rabies by a veterinarian and registered with the city. The registration fee is: $10 for spay/neutered animals and $25 for unaltered animals. Registration tags may be obtained from Docupet online. For more information, view the DocuPet Pet Licensing Brochure (PDF).

The City of St. Joseph does not ban the owning of any breed of dog. The city does have a vicious dog ordinance [Section 5.89} that addresses the aggressive behavior of any dog.

City Ordinance requires that dogs be kept secured to the owner’s property, or when off of the property on a leash not longer than 6 foot. If an animal is observed off the owner’s property, Animal Services may impound it.

Upon receiving a barking dog complaint, a letter is sent to the dog owner’s residence. The owner is given notice of the complaint and advised that if the problem isn’t resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction that they may be issued a summons to appear in Municipal Court. If the problem isn’t resolved and the complainant is willing to document the date and times the dog is barking [for approximately 10 days] and also willing to testify in court, the owner may be issued a summons.

The City Code of Ordinances requires that animal waste be removed from a yard, kennel, pen or run every 48 hours. The waste should be stored in an airtight container to prevent the attraction of insects and removed from the premises once a week. If a nuisance exists due to the owner’s failure to remove the waste, or because of a large number of animals in a small enclosure, the complainant may sign a complaint against the animal owner. The owner may then be issued a summons to appear in Municipal Court.

All animals involved in bites to human beings are required by city ordinance and state law to be confined for a 240-hour observation period at either the Animal Services or an approved veterinarian clinic or boarding facility in the city. If the animal was shedding the rabies virus at the time of the bite, it will show signs of rabies within the 240 hour period.

For City residents there is a $10 handling fee for each unwanted animal surrendered to the shelter by its owner. Unwanted animals from outside the city limits are not accepted.

For city residents, there is no fee for bringing stray animals to the Shelter. Stray animals from outside the city limits are not accepted.

If you own an intact dog or cat and allow that animal to breed you are required to obtain a breeder’s permit from the Animal Services. The breeders permit cost is $20. If you fail to obtain the breeders permit and are in possession of a litter of puppies or kittens, you are then required to obtain a litter permit from the Animal Services prior to the whelping of the puppies or kittens. The cost of the litter permit is $100.

It is a violation of City Ordinance and State Law to abandon any animal. Conviction of this crime can result in a fine from $50 to $500, and a jail sentence from 1 day to 6 months.

The city’s planning & zoning division is responsible for citywide planning and zoning administration, regulating subdivisions, and administering a comprehensive land use plan for the city, enforcing & implementing the existing subdivision and zoning codes (Chapter 26 and Chapter 31). Planning & Zoning also works closely with other departments, including Building and Public Works or project proposals and reviews, and Property Maintenance for code enforcement. 

Planning & zoning reviews and issues permits for the following:

• Fences, hedges and retaining walls
• Signs
• Public sidewalk use permits

Planning & Zoning also reviews and processes all applications for the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, and Downtown Review Board, including:

• Zoning district changes (“rezoning”)
• Subdivision applications (“platting”)
• Conditional use permits
• Variances & exceptions
• Certificates of appropriateness

Applications and permits can be found online or in the Planning & Zoning office.

Planning & Zoning does not directly issue permits for applications for accessory structures, swimming pools, solar panels, additions, new residences, commercial projects, etc. but permit applications for these projects are reviewed by Planning & Zoning to ensure compliance with Chapters 26 and 31.

A subdivision or plat is one or more parcels of land that have gone through the subdivision process outlined in Chapter 26 and are recorded as a “lot of record” with Buchanan County. This creates a recorded “plat” or map of a property showing important information like property lines, utility and access easements, drainage, etc. Properties are typically required to be platted for development and permits to be issued for any project on that piece of land. Properties that are not platted would need to go through the subdivision or platting process.

A common misunderstanding is hearing the word “subdivision” can bring to mind large residential subdivision developments. This is not usually what the city means when using this word. In this case, a subdivision simply means the division of land (in many cases only one piece of property) into legal lots, blocks, tracts, or parcels. Neither is incorrect, but one specifically refers to the process utilized by the city.

Platting is the process of creating a “lot of record” with Buchanan County through the city’s subdivision process outlined in Chapter 26. This creates a recorded “plat” or map of a lot or lots showing important information like property lines, utility and access easements, drainage, etc. Platting a property requires working with a surveyor and submitting a plat document and application to the city for review. Platting can be considered one of the first steps in development of a property, along with zoning.

The City has two subdivision processes:

Administrative:

• A subdivision application can be considered administrative if the proposed subdivision does not have more than 3 lots, do not alter development or impact public services, do not require new street or alley right-of-way or other public dedication, has no significant increase in service requirements (or impact on maintaining existing services), or does not involve drainage improvements
• Application is reviewed by staff, who make the final decision of approval. 
• Approved administrative subdivisions may be recorded with Buchanan County.

Major: 

• Major subdivisions are any subdivision that does not meet the criteria of administrative subdivisions. 
• The process is split into preliminary and final stages. 
• Preliminary applications are reviewed by staff and placed on a Planning Commission agenda where the Planner provides a recommendation of approval, approval with conditions, or denial. 
• The Planning Commission then provides a recommendation to City Council, where the item goes through two hearings. 
• If approved, the final application may be submitted (at no extra cost) and the plat will go through two additional hearings in City Council. 
• Approved final major subdivisions may be recorded with Buchanan County.

The Planning & Zoning division can provide more information about the platting process and requirements.

For property that is already platted, you can submit a Lot Line Adjustment Application. This application allows applicants to split existing lots, combine existing lots, or adjust boundary lines on existing lots, within limits outlined in Chapter 26. Applications require a survey and are submitted to the Planning & Zoning office for review and approval. Approved lot line adjustments may be recorded with Buchanan County.

The city does not provide surveying services. For applications that require surveying services, it is important to do your research and explore all cost and service options available to you. You can contact the Planning & Zoning division for more information.

A property’s zoning determines what uses are permitted on the property and helps guide development. For example, most properties along the Belt are zoned “C-3, Commercial” allowing for uses like restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Zoning districts also determine things like setback requirements for buildings, height requirements, parking requirements, landscaping, and more. Information on every zoning district in St. Joseph can be found in Chapter 31 of the City Code.

Some parts of St. Joseph are in special zoning districts such as Downtown, which is in the Downtown Precise Plan district. These special districts have certain development standards that regulate more specifically than the standard zoning districts. Information on Precise Plans can be found online.

It is helpful to know information about what your property is zoned, as it determines the use and regulation of your property.

Rezoning (Zoning District Change) is the process of changing the zoning of a property from one district to another, i.e.: M-2 Heavy Manufacturing to R-1A, Single Family Residential, to allow new uses or development on a property that otherwise would not have been allowed before, or for reasons specific to a particular piece of land, such as a property historically being industrial but is now used as a residential property.

A rezoning starts with completing the Zoning District Change Application. Once the application has been received by the appropriate deadline, it is placed on a Planning Commission agenda and from there it would move onto City Council for approval or denial. If approved, the zoning district will officially be changed in the city’s records.

There are several ways to find out information about properties in St. Joseph. The city and county offer a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) web portal that allows you to search addresses and find out more about them, including info like zoning.

To turn on the zoning layer:

1. Look along the left-hand side, there are a number of options in the “Layer” tab. Locate “Jurisdiction”.
2. Hit the “+” symbol next to “Jurisdiction”.
3. Check the box next to “Planning and Zoning”.

This will allow you to see current zoning of properties in the city and county. All properties in the city are zoned a specific district. Information on zoning districts and their permitted and conditional uses can be found in Chapter 31 of the City Code.

You can search for a specific address via the toolbar along the top:

1. Select “search”
2. Select “Parcel Number”, “Owner Name”, “Property Address” (search by address), or whatever search option suits your needs.
3. Enter the information into search bar and click “search”.

Zoning determines what kind of structure can be built on a property and what regulations there are including setbacks, height limits, façade, and more depending on the zoning district. For example, residential zoning districts may have more restrictive setback requirements than commercial districts to promote separation between houses. These regulations also determine accessory structure setbacks and height, fence height, signs, and other uses within the city.

If a property is not zoned correctly, it will prohibit the construction of any nonconforming use on that property, potentially requiring a rezoning of that property.

A fence permit application can either be obtained in Room 107 of City Hall, or online, on the Planning & Zoning Applications & Permits page. The rules for fences, including material and height requirements, are outlined in Chapter 31.

The city does not require an official survey for a fence permit application; however, the city does require a site plan, showing the location of the fence on the property (these do not have to be done by a contractor or other professional). 

The city recommends that all fences be built at least a foot into the property off of the property lines. This can help avoid disputes with neighbors and confusion of who owns the fence. If you plan to build on the property line, the city requires the signature of the owner of the shared property and the permit application be notarized.

The city does not enforce HOA requirements for fences within HOAs. If you are a member of an HOA it is important to check any regulations your HOA may have regarding fencing before applying for a fence permit. 

For requirements regarding the fencing of vacant lots, please contact the city directly for more information on how to apply for a fence permit.

Fences that do not or cannot meet requirements outlined in the code would either be denied a permit or could proceed by obtaining a variance or exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

A pool permit application can either be obtained in Room 107 of City Hall, or online, on the Planning & Zoning Applications & Permits page. The rules for pools are outlined in Chapter 31 of the City Code, and are applicable for all residential areas.

When applying for a pool permit, the city requires a site plan showing the location of the pool on the property with measurements to nearby buildings and property lines (this does not have to be done by a contractor or other professional).

Any pool, in-ground or above-ground, over two feet in depth requires a fence with locking gate.

Pools that do not or cannot meet requirements outlined in the code would either be denied a permit or could proceed by obtaining a variance or exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The city defines buildings such as garages, sheds, etc. as “accessory buildings”. These are buildings that are “accessory” to a primary structure, usually a house. The city regulates accessory buildings through Sec. 31-050 of the City Code, including setback requirements, height limits, etc.

The city does not permit accessory structures on vacant lots. Accessory buildings must be accessory to a primary structure on the same property.

Structures over 120 square feet are required to obtain a building permit through the city’s building department. Any accessory buildings applying to be permitted would require a site plan showing the location of the building in relation to nearby buildings and property lines (this does not have to be done by a contractor or other professional).

Structures that do not or cannot meet requirements outlined in the code would either be denied a permit or could proceed by obtaining a variance or exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Sign permit applications are found online, as well as sign regulations for both residential and nonresidential areas of the city. To obtain a permit, submit the application to the Planning & Zoning department along with a site plan, images of the proposed signage, and any other supporting materials.

Some areas of the city, such as Precise Plan areas, have specific sign regulations that must be adhered to. If any sign application does not conform to the sign code, or the applicable Precise Plan regulations, then the sign would either not be permitted or could be potentially approved through the application for an exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

A site plan is a prepared document similar to a map that shows the property where a project is taking place and several elements that allows the document to be reviewed for permitting. This information includes existing buildings, proposed buildings, required setbacks, proposed setbacks, dimensions, and other information specific to the application.

Site plans do not have to be professionally drafted, but they do have to be legible. Site plans that are difficult or impossible to read delay the permitting process and may result in a project not being approved at all.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment, also known as ZBA or BZA, reviews and makes decisions on variance and exception applications within the city. They review applications and make a determination on whether the proposed structure would be appropriate and if the request is reasonable and supported by the application provided. 

Applications for the ZBA can be found online and are submitted to the City Planner to be placed on a ZBA hearing agenda. It is recommended that applicants meet with the City Planner prior to any applications being submitted to determine the best course of action.

A variance can be described as official permission from the city to allow something to be constructed or put in use within certain parameters that otherwise does not meet the standards of the City Code. For example, an applicant who wants to build an attached garage within required setbacks would need to request a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) and in their application explain why they are making this request. The ZBA reviews this application and makes a decision.

An exception is similar to a variance, but focused specifically on signs, parking, fences, telecommunications towers, and accessory uses. Like a variance, an applicant would need to request an exception from the ZBA explaining the reason for the request, and the ZBA would make a decision on the application.

More information on variances and exceptions, including the full description of application requirements and procedures can be found online.

The Planning Commission reviews applications for zoning district changes (including Precise Plans and Planned Unit Developments), major subdivisions, code amendments, and generally all major planning documents adopted by the city. For most applications (zoning, subdivisions, code amendments, etc.) the Planning Commission provides a recommendation that is forwarded to the City Council who has final approval.

Applications for the Planning Commission can be found online and are submitted to the City Planner to be placed on a Planning Commission hearing agenda. It is recommended that applicants meet with the City Planner prior to any applications being submitted to determine the best course of action.

The Downtown Review Board (or DRB) is the reviewing body for applications for certificates of appropriateness for projects taking place within downtown St. Joseph. The downtown area has specific regulations outlined within the Downtown Precise Plan document, and any variation from this document requires a certificate of appropriateness (or COA) from the DRB to move forward. This body is similar to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) in this respect, though the scope is limited to the downtown area.

Applications for the DRB can be found online and are submitted to the City Planner to be placed on a DRB hearing agenda. It is recommended that applicants meet with the City Planner prior to any applications being submitted to determine the best course of action.

The inspector conducts an inspection of the property to determine whether or not a code violation exists. If a code violation is verified, the inspector mails a legal notice letter to the property owner to request the code violation be corrected. The legal notice letter for common code violations provides a 10 day period of time for the property owner to correct the violation. At the end of this period, the inspector will re-inspect the property to determine whether or not the code violation has been corrected. If the code violation has not been corrected and the property owner has not requested an extension of time from the inspector, the inspector will proceed to issue a summons or order abatement. Extensions of time to correct the code violation are limited and require a plan of abatement and continuous progress. The owners of properties where weeds and rank growths of vegetation violations occur more than once during the same or successive growing seasons will receive one legal notice letter at the beginning of the growing season. Further violations regarding weeds and rank growths of vegetation during that growing season will be abated without notification. Weeds and tall grasses are in violation when they reach the height 7 inches.

The current city ad valorem tax rate is: $1.1398 per $100.00 of assessed valuation.

• General Fund (in the Public Safety Tax): $0.67
• Parks & Recreation Fund: $0.20
• Health Fund: $0.2198
• Museum Fund: 0.05
• Total: $1.1398

Buchanan County has set the assessed value of a residential property at 19% of its fair market value. The City’s tax levy is taken times this assessed valuation. So, for example: An individual who owns a home with an actual value of $100,000 would pay the following to the City: $100,000 x 19% = $ 19,000 assessed valuation. $19,000 divided by $100 = $ 190.00 x $1.1398 = $216.56 (City Real Estate Property Tax)

8.7%. There are also some additional jurisdictions within the City of St. Joseph assessing sales taxes. For a breakdown, please see

• Keeping paints, oils, and pesticides out of storm drains.
• Fixing leaks from vehicles.
• Planting a rain garden with native plants.

• Wash it with a biodegradable soap over grass or gravel.
• Use a bucket and a hose nozzle to limit the amount of soap and water used.
• Wash only the outside of the car, not the engine.

• Wash the child’s hands and face often, especially before snacks, meals and bedtime.
• Wash the child’s bed linens often to make sure they are clean.
• Wash toys when they become dusty or dirty.
• Place newspapers and magazines out of a child’s reach (there may be lead in the ink).
• Keep children away from painted surfaces, especially those that are peeling and chipping.
• Wipe down painted surfaces with a high phosphate detergent and wet-mop floors weekly.
• Seal off remodeling areas and keep children and pets away from this area.
• Prevent children from playing in dirt next to painted houses or buildings. Plant grass or shrubs in this area if possible.
• Remind family members to shower and change clothes before coming home if they work around lead-contaminated areas such as battery plants, automobile repair shops, craft shops where they are using stained glass, bait & tackle shops, etc. Wash their clothes separate from the rest of the family, especially the children’s clothes.
• Keep children from chewing or sucking on items unless you are certain they are non-toxic.

• Make sure children eat a balanced diet with plenty of calcium, protein and iron.
• Avoid serving foods high in fat, junk food, soda pop and candy.
• Offer healthy snacks between meals since an empty stomach absorbs lead faster than one that is not empty.

If it is a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911.  If not, call 816-271-4777.  Not all reports require an officer respond and can be made by phone with our Teleserve Division during regular business hours by calling 816-271-4777.  Many reports can also be made online at your convenience.

You can obtain police reports at the Law Enforcement Center, 501 Faraon Street in St. Joseph, Missouri. Police Records is open Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. You may call them at (816) 271-4705.

The police Traffic Unit investigates hit and run accidents. If you have a question in regards to your case please call (816) 271-4882.  This process may take 5 to 7 business days, so please be patient. 

Many people believe their complaints will be addressed more rapidly if they contact City Hall, the Mayor, City Manager, or Chief of Police. The Professional Standards Office conducts investigations of citizen complaints. A Professional Standards Officer may be reached at (816) 271-4780. By contacting an on-duty supervisor or the Professional Standards Office, the complaint procedure is started in a more timely manner. The on-duty supervisor resolves many minor complaints and questions regarding our procedures as soon as they are received. To contact an on-duty supervisor, call (816) 271-4722 or the Communication Center at (816) 271-4777. You may also fill out a Complaint Form or a Commendation Form.

To be a police officer, applicants must be at least 21 years of age with no felony convictions. In addition, they should not have any significant traffic convictions that would limit their ability to be insured by the City of St. Joseph.  For more information on Missouri Police Officer requirements,  visit the Missouri POST website.

To check for Police Officer openings, visit the City of St. Joseph Careers web page.

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 1p.m.-5:30p.m.
• Wednesday 1p.m.-6:30p.m.
• Friday 1p.m.-4:30p.m.
• Saturday 1p.m.-4:30p.m.
• Closed Sundays

The best place to view our adoptable pets is at the shelter during business hours. Our current adoptable dogs and cats at the shelter can also be found online.

Our adoptions are processed on a first come, first serve basis so we do not accept appointments. Come to the shelter anytime during our adoption hours to meet the pets we have available for adoption.

You can call the shelter at 271-4877 or email us at foster@stjosephmo.gov to let us know which animal you are interested in.  We will contact the foster family and give them your information so that they can schedule a meet and greet.

You can call the P4P Coordinator at 271-5333 or email her at asilvey@stjosephmo.gov to let her know which animal you are interested in. She will contact the volunteer P4P Coordinator and give them your information so that they can schedule a meet and greet.

Our adoptions are processed on a first come, first serve basis and we do not place any holds on adoptable pets.

Our adoptions are processed on a first come, first serve basis but animals on stray hold must be held for five business days including a Saturday allowing the owners an opportunity to claim their animal. If you find a stray pet you want to adopt, you can pay the adoption fee in full as a deposit. If the animal is redeemed by its owner, the deposit will be refunded to you by mail. If the animal is not claimed by its owner during its hold period, you will have one business day from the day the animal becomes available to come to the shelter and complete the adoption paperwork. If you do not complete the adoption within one business day, you will forfeit the adoption deposit.

Yes, you can bring your pet(s) to meet the pets you are interested in, although this is not a requirement in most cases.

Adoption fees include spay/neuter, preventative vaccinations, a microchip, city registration, and other testing/preventative care the animal received while in our care.

If you must return your adopted animal, you will have 30 days to return the animal to the shelter without paying relinquishment fees. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our adoption team if you need help acclimating your new pet to your home. It can take time for animals to adjust to new environments.

Please contact the shelter at 271-4877 and we can direct you to a staff member from the animal care team that can help you.

No. Our adoptions are processed on a first come, first serve basis so that we can make adoptions simple and convenient.

Yes, most of the time your adopted pet can go home with you the same day. There are times that pets must stay in our care after they have been adopted to complete preventative care.

You will need to fill out St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue’s online foster application.

Yes, with approval and appointment. We will try to work with you on setting an appointment if you are the foster parent. If you cannot foster this litter, it may take us some time to find a foster home. We will do our best to work with you.

St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue will provide any basic supplies needed for the care of your foster animal(s) (e.g., food, cat litter, toys, bowls).

It is recommended that a quarantine period take place prior to introducing your foster to your personal pets. Once the quarantine has been completed, slow introductions with an adult there to moderate can take place. The best way to start this process is to discuss introductory methods with your Foster Coordinator.

We highly recommend letting your children interact with your fosters if an adult is involved with the interactions. Children should not be left alone with foster animals.

Having prospective adopters to your home is encouraged as it helps to see the fosters in a relaxed home environment. However, it is not required.

The next step would be to contact your Foster Coordinator with the adopter’s information. The Foster Coordinator will then assist the adopter with the adoption process, and they will be in contact with you to set up a time to meet your foster pet’s new family to give them the pet.

If you need assistance during the time you are fostering, you should email foster@stjosephmo.gov unless there is an emergency. In case of emergency, you should call the main shelter number at 271-4877 and staff will direct your call, or they will contact your Foster Coordinator if it is after hours.

For everyone’s protection and safety your resident pets are required to be up to date on vaccines.

Yes, St. Joseph Animal Control and Rescue can help you find a clinic.

We do not have an onsite veterinarian, therefore are unable to offer discounted care. We do offer annual low-cost vaccination clinics each spring. Please see a staff member for more information.

Contact the foster team at foster@stjosephmo.gov or 271-4877 as soon as possible so that we can find alternate placement for your foster.