Godfrey — Ch. 18 Art. VII Property Maintenance Code § 18-189
Reserved permits
Operative Text
Persons contemplating a change of ownership or occupancy of a dwelling or dwelling unit may after payment of the permit fee specified in section 18-186 apply for an occupancy permit to determine if there are any violations of the ordinance codified in sections 18-183 through 18-189 . After proper inspection, if the building and zoning administrator determines that an occupancy permit may be issued, upon the request of the applicant, said occupancy permit may be reserved for a reasonable time (not to exceed 120 days) within the department of building and zoning, to be issued to a subsequent owner or occupant when such person or persons are ascertained and qualified for said occupancy permit. No additional fee shall be charged to issue the occupancy permit.
Under Godfrey Ch. 18 Art. VII § 18-189, anyone anticipating a transfer of ownership or a change in occupancy for a dwelling may proactively request an occupancy permit inspection before the new owner or tenant is even identified. If the building and zoning administrator finds the property compliant with the property maintenance code, the resulting occupancy permit can be held on reserve for up to 120 days while the future occupant or owner is determined. Once that person is identified and qualifies, the reserved permit is issued without any additional fee beyond the one already paid under § 18-186.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers planning to sell or re-rent a unit in Godfrey can use § 18-189 to get ahead of potential code issues by applying for an occupancy permit before a buyer or new tenant is in place. A compliant operator typically pays the permit fee set out in § 18-186, schedules the inspection with the building and zoning administrator, and—if the property passes—requests that the permit be held in reserve for up to 120 days. This approach allows time to finalize a transaction or tenancy without requiring a second inspection fee, provided the new occupant is identified and qualified within that window.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Prospective tenants in Godfrey may benefit from knowing that § 18-189 allows a seller or landlord to obtain a pre-inspected, reserved occupancy permit before a new occupant is formally identified. If a landlord has gone through this process, it signals that the building and zoning administrator reviewed the property for compliance with the property maintenance code set out in §§ 18-183 through 18-189. Tenants who have questions about whether a valid occupancy permit exists for their unit can inquire with the Godfrey Department of Building and Zoning, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on how permit status may relate to their occupancy.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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