Bolthole Index

Chariton County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Chariton County, Missouri

72Index Score / 100
#46 of 115 in Missouri

Unincorporated Chariton County, Missouri appears not to require a county building permit for most homes; confirm the parcel with the County Commission12. County zoning remains unconfirmed, while Marceline and Glasgow have municipal building-permit and zoning rules34567. Missouri DHSS is Chariton County’s listed septic-permit authority, with potentially different treatment in incorporated areas8.

At a glance

Building permit
Appears not required for most unincorporated homes; confirm with the County Commission12
Zoning
Countywide zoning is unconfirmed; ask the County Commission32
Septic authority
Missouri DHSS is the permitting authority for Chariton County89
Septic permit
Required for most installations and repairs; confirm any residential exemption10
RV or tiny home
Long-term occupancy rules could not be confirmed; ask the County Commission32
Owner-builder exemption
No Chariton County provision was confirmed11
Farm structures
Protected from county fire-code permit requirements, but not every other rule12

Who to call

Also useful

Chariton County Commission

County government questions and supervision of the Road & Bridge Department

660-288-3200

306 S Cherry St Keytesville, MO 65261

Septic permits

Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program

Onsite wastewater permitting for Chariton County

(573) 751-6095 ext. 5

onsiteprogram@health.mo.gov

930 Wildwood Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65102

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Chariton County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Chariton County, Missouri?

Unincorporated Chariton County appears not to require a county building permit for most homes; ask the County Commission to confirm before construction12. Missouri adopts fire and building codes locally rather than through one uniform statewide code13. The unincorporated-county answer does not cover Marceline or Glasgow, cities that reach into Chariton County and require municipal building permits46. Missouri DHSS remains the listed Chariton County septic authority, but incorporated areas may have different permitting treatment8. Farm structures are protected from county fire-code permit requirements, not every land-use rule12.

Who issues building permits in Chariton County?

We could not confirm a dedicated Chariton County building department, building inspector, or building-permit office; start with the Chariton County Commission at 660-288-3200, 306 S Cherry St Keytesville, MO 6526112. In the portions of Marceline and Glasgow that reach into Chariton County, apply to the city for municipal building permits before work begins46. For septic questions, start with Missouri DHSS, the listed county authority, and confirm whether incorporated-area treatment differs8. The Commission supervises the Road & Bridge Department, so ask there about county-road access; work in MoDOT right-of-way requires a state driveway permit214.

Does Chariton County have zoning?

We could not confirm a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated Chariton County; ask the County Commission whether zoning or another land-use ordinance applies to the parcel32. Missouri’s statutory authority to establish county zoning does not establish that Chariton County adopted zoning15. We could not confirm county setbacks, minimum dwelling or lot sizes, accessory-dwelling rules, manufactured-home rules, or height limits3. Marceline and Glasgow, cities that reach into Chariton County, set their own municipal zoning rules57. Those city zoning rules do not replace septic approval: Missouri DHSS is the listed Chariton County authority, with potentially different treatment in incorporated areas8.

How do septic permits work in Chariton County?

Missouri DHSS is the onsite wastewater permitting authority for Chariton County, with permitting questions directed to 930 Wildwood Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573) 751-6095 ext. 5, or onsiteprogram@health.mo.gov89. A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite systems; residential property under 3 acres requires one, while any claimed exemption should be confirmed before work begins1016. Request an application number through the state request form, then submit the completed, signed, dated application with that number and the required supporting documents179. Application fees for onsite sewage system construction, modification, and repair are temporarily suspended effective August 28, 202618. For an existing system tied to a property sale, local public health agencies generally no longer perform the inspection; a licensed private inspector can assess its condition19. Only 0.1% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so arrange the site and soil evaluation early20.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Chariton County?

We could not confirm a Chariton County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, or tiny-home occupancy on private land3. Ask the Chariton County Commission about the exact parcel and proposed use before moving an RV or tiny home onto unincorporated land32. A lack of a county residential building permit does not itself authorize occupancy or answer sanitation requirements110. If the unit produces domestic wastewater, Missouri's onsite wastewater rules still matter, and wastewater may not simply be discharged into a road ditch or onto the ground21. Rules inside an incorporated city may differ from the unincorporated-county answer15.

What are the steps to build a home in Chariton County?

  1. Ask the Chariton County Commission whether county zoning or a county-road access requirement affects the parcel32.
  1. Confirm whether the site is in an incorporated city and ask that city about its building permit and zoning approval; Missouri DHSS remains the listed septic-permit authority for Chariton County158.
  1. Check the flood map and identify the community floodplain administrator. Missouri SEMA guidance calls for a floodplain-development permit and an engineering No-Rise Certificate for regulatory-floodway development; ask the Commission to identify the local administrator and applicable ordinance222.
  1. Contact Missouri DHSS for an onsite wastewater application number and determine whether the project needs a septic construction permit or qualifies for an exemption10179.
  1. Complete the septic application and include the soil evaluation, engineered design when applicable, and other required onsite-wastewater documents17.
  1. Obtain a state driveway permit if the work enters MoDOT right-of-way; ask the Commission about access from a county road142.
  1. Confirm the apparent absence of a county residential building-permit step with the Commission before building in unincorporated Chariton County12.

What should you check before buying land in Chariton County?

Start with wastewater feasibility: only 0.1% of Chariton County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so a soil evaluation can change the usable building area and system design20. For land with an existing septic system, arrange an assessment by a licensed private inspector rather than expecting a real-estate-transfer inspection from the local public health agency19. Check mapped flood hazards and ask the Commission who administers the applicable floodplain ordinance; SEMA guidance calls for floodplain-development approval and a No-Rise Certificate for regulatory-floodway work222. Verify legal and physical access; work within MoDOT right-of-way needs a driveway permit, while the Commission supervises the county Road & Bridge Department142. For a private well, Missouri requires permits for well and pump installation contractors but allows landowners to install their own well or pump without a permit under applicable law and rules23. For cost context, county farmland averages about $4,955 per acre, the median property-tax bill is $900 per year, and the effective property-tax rate is about 0.8%242526.

Watch-outs

  • Chariton County's zoning status is unconfirmed, so do not treat the absence of a located ordinance as permission for a particular use3.
  • Confirm any residential septic exemption with Missouri DHSS before work begins; most installations and repairs require a construction permit109.
  • Septic application fees are temporarily suspended, so verify the fee status when applying rather than assuming the suspension is permanent18.
  • Missouri SEMA’s floodplain guidance does not establish Chariton County’s local ordinance; ask the County Commission to identify the administrator and requirements for the parcel222.

Sources

  1. State of Missouri - County Building Codes dataset (2026 county census)
  2. Chariton County Commission (charitonco.com)
  3. (2026 county census)
  4. Marceline: Chapter 500 Building Regulations - City of Marceline, MO (Chariton County), quoted and re-checked
  5. Marceline: Planning & Zoning (Chariton County), quoted and re-checked
  6. Glasgow: Chapter 503: Building Permits and Code Enforcement - City of Glasgow, MO (Chariton County), quoted and re-checked
  7. Glasgow: Table of Contents - City of Glasgow, MO (Chariton County), quoted and re-checked
  8. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  9. Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (health.mo.gov)
  10. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  11. (2026 county census)
  12. RSMo Section 64.003 — Farm buildings and farm structures (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. RSMo Section 64.170 (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Permits | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. RSMo § 64.090 — Planning and zoning powers of county commission (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. OWTS Construction Permit Application Forms, quoted and re-checked
  18. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  19. Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Inspections Versus Evaluations, quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  21. health.mo.gov (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Floodplain Forms, quoted and re-checked
  23. Water Wells - PUB2945 (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 12, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like 4 of the 5 neighbors with published rules, Chariton County requires no county building permit for a home.

RuleChariton CountyLinn CountyCarroll CountyRandolph CountySaline CountyHoward CountyMacon County
Building permitNot requiredNot requiredLimitedNot requiredNot requiredNot publishedNot required
County zoningNot publishedNoYesNoNoNot publishedNo
Septic permitsDHSSDHSSCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.DHSSDHSSDHSS

County locator

Chariton County in Missouri

72
County map
Chariton County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Chariton County scores

Seclusion73100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency58100% ev.
Admin Boringness7868% ev.
Durability46100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost80100% ev.

Evidence strength: 95%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$167kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$4,955Land / acre
40.4"Annual rain
7.8% of yrsSevere drought
11.9 / yr (+10.2)Mid-century 100°F days
16.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.03" (+8.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.81×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,825Home insurance / yr
2.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.95%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
10,855People within 30 min
877,618People within 2 hr
10,408Radius comparison (15 mi)
9.8People / sq mi
7%Federal land
93.6%Land at 15% slope or less
0.1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
329 acWorkable land screen
17.2%Wooded land
52.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
53.9°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Chariton County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Bee Branch Township · Bowling Green Township · Brunswick · Brunswick Township · Chariton Township · Clark Township · Cockrell Township · Cunningham Township · Town of Dalton · Keytesville · Keytesville Township · Mendon · Mendon Township · Musselfork Township · Village of Rothville · Salisbury Township · Salt Creek Township · Town of Sumner · Triplett · Triplett Township · Wayland Township · Yellow Creek Township

Answers from the rulebook for Chariton County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Chariton County rules

  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater permitting authority for Chariton County.

    • DHSS authority applies to the county listing shown on the official OWTS page.
    • Lagoons serving anything other than a single-family residence and other systems identified by DHSS fall under Missouri Department of Natural Resources jurisdiction.
    • Incorporated areas may have different permitting treatment.
    “Agency: DHSS Authority Type: DHSS Address: 930 Wildwood Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65102 County: Chariton”
  • Building permitNot required

    Chariton is a non-charter rural county with no county residential building code listed in the Missouri county building codes dataset; Missouri has no statewide residential code and such counties generally cannot require permits. Corroborated by the state County Building Codes dataset (data.mo.gov iq7s-izvt, 2021): no county residential building code adopted.

    State of Missouri - County Building Codes dataset ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Missouri rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Missouri statewide legal framework for building-code adoption by counties and other communities; the statutes authorize local adoption rather than establishing one uniformly adopted statewide building code.

    • County authority under RSMo 64.170 applies to counties of the first and second classification.
    • A county that had not adopted a building code before August 28, 2001 must obtain voter approval before adopting under RSMo 64.170 to 64.200.
    • The adoption vote is limited to voters in the affected area; a code affecting a county is not voted on by citizens of incorporated territory.
    • A county adopting under RSMo 64.180 must use a current nationally recognized building code edition from calendar year 1999 or later, as amended.
    • A county building ordinance may not conflict with liquefied petroleum gas installation requirements governed by RSMo 323.020.
    • A community may incorporate a code by reference only if it otherwise has legal power to adopt the ordinance.
    • A code incorporated by reference must be filed with the community clerk and available for public inspection for 90 days before adoption.
    • An ordinance adopting a code by reference must state the penalty separately rather than incorporate the penalty by reference.
    • RSMo 67.280 defines community to include any county, fire protection district, or municipality, and municipality to include an incorporated city, town, or village.
    “Because fire and building codes are adopted at the local level in Missouri”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Missouri statutory authority for counties to create zoning districts in unincorporated territory; this does not establish or publish the actual zoning districts for any particular county.

    • The statute applies to unincorporated territory of counties subject to sections 64.211 to 64.295.
    • Actual district boundaries, regulations, and maps depend on county adoption and are not supplied by this statewide statute.
    • District regulations must be uniform for each class or kind of building or land use within each district, although regulations may differ between districts.
    • The regulations must be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan.
    “the unincorporated territory may be divided into districts of such number, shape and area as may be deemed best suited”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems in Missouri, including residential systems subject to state permitting.

    • A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most OWTS.
    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt.
    • For residential property less than three acres, a permit is required; the exemption does not apply in some counties, so the county authority must be checked.
    • Work should not begin until a permit is issued or an exemption is confirmed.
    • Effective August 28, 2026, application fees for onsite sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs are temporarily suspended.

    residential lot threshold: < 3 acres (The exemption does not apply in some counties.) · temporary permit-fee suspension effective date: 2026-08-28 (Applies to application fees associated with onsite sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs.)

    “A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Some single family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Most onsite wastewater system installation and repair work in Missouri, including work subject to state standards in Chariton County.
      “A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Some single family residential lots may be exempt from permitting. The first step of the permitting process is to determine the agency that has permitting authority where the work is being done.”
    • Required — Installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems statewide in Missouri.
      “A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Some single family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.”
    • Required — Proposed campgrounds, mobile home parks, and subdivisions planning to use onsite wastewater treatment systems anywhere in Missouri.
      “DNR must approve subdivisions, mobile home parks and campgrounds if the use of OWTS is planned.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Inspection or evaluation of existing onsite wastewater systems in connection with Missouri real-estate transfers.

    • Local public health agencies generally no longer inspect existing systems for real-estate transfers.
    • A private licensed inspector may perform an inspection or evaluation.
    • A lender, buyer, or other transaction participant may require an assessment.
    • Some local standards may be more stringent than state regulations.
    • Inspections and evaluations are distinct; an inspection includes a hydraulic test, while an evaluation does not.
    “For the most part, local public health agencies no longer inspect existing systems related to real estate transfer. The help of a licensed inspector can be obtained to check the condition of the system.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Inspection or evaluation of existing onsite wastewater systems, particularly in connection with Missouri real-estate transfers.
      “For the most part, local public health agencies no longer inspect existing systems related to real estate transfer. The help of a licensed inspector can be obtained to check the condition of the system.”
    • Limited — Inspections of existing onsite sewage systems in connection with property sales statewide in Missouri.
      “Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' (DHSS) rules governing onsite sewage systems cover minimum construction requirements, system inspections at the time of property sales, and requirements for percolation testers and soil evaluators.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid domestic wastewater treatment using onsite wastewater treatment systems where central sewer service is unavailable.

    • Onsite systems treat and dispose of domestic sewage on the property where generated.
    • A construction permit is generally required, including for residential property less than three acres, subject to county-specific exceptions.
    • Wastewater may not be discharged into a road ditch or onto the ground.
    • Local permitting authorities may impose additional requirements.

    residential lot threshold: < 3 acres (The exemption does not apply in some counties.)

    “Onsite wastewater treatment systems are sometimes referred to as "septic systems." These systems treat and dispose of domestic sewage on the property where it is generated.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Use of onsite wastewater treatment systems as off-grid sanitation where central sewer service is unavailable in Missouri.
      “In Missouri, where central sewer service is not available, homeowners and small business owners use various types of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS).”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction or alteration of a public well serving a Missouri public water system.

    • Public water systems must receive written approval from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Public Drinking Water Branch before constructing or altering a public well.
    • The requirement does not apply when the system meets the charitable-and-benevolent-organization exemptions in section 640.116, RSMo.
    • Anyone proposing to install a public well must contact the department’s regional office for a well-site survey.
    • The survey addresses minimum isolation or setback distances from known or potential contaminant sources, including septic tanks, sanitary sewer lines, and landfills.
    • Before applying for construction authorization, the public water system must obtain an estimated casing-depth letter from the Missouri Geological Survey Water Resources Center.
    • There is no fee for the well-site-survey and estimated-casing-depth-letter services.
    • Failure to obtain construction authorization may result in approval delays and possibly require the owner to properly plug the well and drill a new one according to 10 CSR 60-3.

    public water system threshold: at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily, at least 60 days per calendar year

    “Public water systems must receive written approval from the PDWB before constructing or altering a public well”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — A person or contractor conducting regulated work to drill, construct, repair, reconstruct, plug, or install pumps or pumping equipment in a water well, heat-pump well, monitoring well, or related well in Missouri.
      “A non-restricted permit is required to drill, construct, repair, reconstruct, plug, or install pumps or pumping equipment in a well.”
    • Limited — Construction or repair of water wells, installation or replacement of pumps, and associated plumbing and electrical work in Missouri.
      “A non-restricted water well installation permit is required to construct or repair a water well in Missouri.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Farm buildings and farm structures used for agricultural purposes under the county building and land-use restriction provisions of RSMo sections 64.800 to 64.905.

    • The exemption does not apply within incorporated portions of counties.
    • The exemption applies to raising crops, livestock, orchards, or forestry and to specified rice-farming or flood-irrigation impoundments.
    • For farm buildings or farm structures, the area must not be within the area shown on the flood hazard area map.
    • The statute preserves the validity of county ordinances or orders adopted before March 4, 1991.
    • Other laws and local requirements may still apply.

    rice-farming or flood-irrigation berm height: <= 18 inches (small berms placed around a field to hold water for growing rice or flood irrigation)

    “This section shall not apply to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for such purposes in an area not within the area shown on the flood hazard area map.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures as against county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances.
      “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no fire protection or fire prevention ordinance adopted by any county in this state shall be exercised so as to impose regulations or to require permits with respect to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures.”
    • Available (with conditions) — Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for agricultural purposes under RSMo section 64.890, outside incorporated portions of counties and outside areas shown on flood hazard area maps.
      “This section shall not apply to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for such purposes [...]”
    • Available (with conditions) — Farm buildings and farm structures statewide, with respect to county fire-protection and fire-prevention ordinances.
      “no fire protection or fire prevention ordinance adopted by any county in this state shall be exercised so as to impose regulations or to require permits [...]”
    • Available — Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures with respect to county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances.
      “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no fire protection or fire prevention ordinance adopted by any county in this state shall be exercised so as to impose regulations or to require permits with respect to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures.”
  • Subdividing landLimited

    Subdivision plats in the unincorporated areas of counties covered by RSMo section 64.070 after the county commission adopts subdivision regulations.

    • The county commission must first adopt subdivision regulations.
    • The plat must first be submitted to the planning commission.
    • If the county planning commission does not report upon the plat within thirty days, it may then be deemed approved.
    • If amended or rejected by the planning commission, the action may be overruled and the plat approved only by the county commission, with the reasons for overruling spread upon the county commission minutes.
    • The recorder of deeds may not record the plat until receiving a certificate of authority from the county zoning enforcement officer.
    • The statute also permits a county planning commission, upon written request of an incorporated area's legislative body where there is no municipal planning commission, to pass upon subdivision plats within that incorporated area; those plats are subject to county planning commission rules and approval procedures.

    planning commission reporting period: 30 days (If no report is made, the plat may then be deemed approved.)

    “After the county commission shall have adopted such subdivision regulations, no plat of a subdivision of land within the unincorporated area of such county [...]”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Subdivision regulations adopted by Missouri cities, towns, or villages under RSMo section 89.410.
      “The planning commission shall recommend and the council may by ordinance adopt regulations governing the subdivision of land within its jurisdiction.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction or modification of driveways within MoDOT right-of-way statewide.

    • A permit is required for construction of driveways and modifications to existing driveways on MoDOT right-of-way.
    • An initial online request must be submitted for each planned listed activity.
    • Engineered plans, traffic studies, hydraulic analysis, traffic-control plans, surety deposits, or performance bonds may be required depending on the work.
    • The rule does not establish a permit requirement for driveways outside MoDOT right-of-way.
    “We require you to obtain a permit to work on MoDOT's Right of Way for: Construction of driveways”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Projects including mining, dredging, building construction, and other dirt-moving activities in designated flood hazard areas within participating Missouri jurisdictions.

    • The source describes local county or city flood damage reduction ordinances rather than one uniform statewide ordinance.
    • The project must be within a participating jurisdiction.
    • The project must be within a designated flood hazard area.
    • The cited rule does not apply if either condition is absent.
    • Covered projects must not raise flood heights.
    “Some jurisdictions (for example, county, city) require any projects in certain floodplains do not raise flood heights.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Development in Missouri floodplains, including areas administered by the Chariton County floodplain administrator.
      “Regardless, some type of permit MUST be issued for ALL development in the floodplain. An Engineering “No-Rise” Certificate is required for all proposed development in the regulatory floodway, and must be obtained by the community before the floodplain development permit may be issued.”
    • Required — All development in a Missouri floodplain, administered through the applicable community floodplain permitting process.
      “Regardless, some type of permit MUST be issued for ALL development in the floodplain.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Missouri Department of Natural Resources air construction permits statewide.

    • Fees apply to air construction permits, not to every Missouri building or land-use permit.
    • Construction permit fees include a filing fee and an hourly processing fee.
    • The filing fee depends on the type of construction permit.
    • The listed fees are effective January 1, 2026.
    • Fees applicable until December 31, 2025 are available on the Air Construction Permit Fees white sheet.
    • A convenience fee is charged for electronic payment.

    portable source relocation filing fee: 300 USD · minor permit filing fee: 300 USD · minor permit processing fee: per 100 USD (hour) · general permit filing fee: 700 USD · new source review filing fee: 6000 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee) · prevention of significant deterioration filing fee: 6000 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee) · hazardous air pollutant filing fee: 6000 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee) · temporary or pilot filing fee: 250 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee)

    “Construction permit fees include a filing fee and an hourly processing fee. The filing fee is dependent on the type of construction permit.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — DHSS onsite wastewater construction, modification, and repair permit application fees applicable to Chariton County's DHSS-administered program.
      “Effective August 28, 2026, due to changes to RSMo 701.046, the application fees associated with on-site sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs will be temporarily suspended.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Missouri onsite wastewater treatment system construction, modification, and repair application fees administered under the statewide DHSS OWTS program.
      “Effective August 28, 2026, [...] the application fees associated with on-site sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs will be temporarily suspended.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Installation or repair of most onsite wastewater treatment systems in Missouri.

    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.
    • The applicant must determine which agency has permitting authority where the work is being done.
    • DHSS permitting may be administered by the DHSS Onsite Program, a local authority under contract, or a local authority via ordinance.
    • Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption has been confirmed.
    • DHSS regulates single-family residential systems and onsite or cluster systems treating domestic wastewater flows of 3,000 gallons per day or less that disperse wastewater through soil treatment or absorption systems.
    • DNR regulates other systems, including non-single-family lagoons, systems discharging to surface waters, systems over 3,000 gallons per day, and industrial wastewater systems.
    • DNR must approve subdivisions, mobile home parks, and campgrounds if OWTS use is planned.

    domestic wastewater flow threshold: <= 3000 gallons per day (Systems above this threshold are regulated by DNR when they disperse wastewater through soil treatment or absorption systems.)

    “A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Some single family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — DHSS onsite wastewater permit process applicable to Chariton County.
      “When all fields on the DHSS Construction Permit Application Form have been completed, the printed form needs to be signed, dated and assigned an application number before submission to the permitting authority. To receive an application number, contact the permitting authority.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Permit applications for work on Missouri Department of Transportation right-of-way statewide.
      “Contact the Traffic Specialist a minimum of 48 hours prior to beginning work and for all necessary inspections.”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Missouri county zoning authority over unincorporated land.

    • RSMo § 64.850 applies to counties of the first class without a charter and counties of the second, third, or fourth class.
    • RSMo § 64.620 applies to counties of the second or third class to which §§ 64.510–64.690 apply.
    • Adoption under §§ 64.510–64.690 requires approval by vote of the people under § 64.530.
    • The authority applies in unincorporated portions and not incorporated portions.
    • The regulations must be in accordance with a comprehensive plan.
    • Under § 64.090, the zoning power does not apply to raising crops, livestock, orchards, or forestry; seasonal or temporary rice-farming or flood-irrigation impoundments; specified farm structures outside mapped flood-hazard areas; or underground mining entered through shafts outside mapped flood-hazard areas.
    • Existing lawful uses and specified public-utility services are protected under the cited statutory schemes.
    “the county commission of any county of the first class not having a charter form of government, or of any county of the second, third or fourth class may, after approval by vote of the people as provided in section 64.845, regulate and restrict, by order of record, in the unincorporated portions of the county, the height, number of stories, and size of buildings, the percentage of lots that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts and other open spaces, the density of population, the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence or other purposes.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • county building authorityLimited

    County authority to regulate residential construction and issue building permits in unincorporated areas of Missouri.

    • The authority under sections 64.170 to 64.200 applies to counties of the first and second classification.
    • A county that had not adopted a building code before August 28, 2001, must obtain voter approval before adopting one under those sections.
    • Only voters in the area affected by the proposed code may vote; incorporated-territory citizens cannot vote on a code affecting a county.
    • The county commission must hold at least three public hearings and provide the statutory newspaper publication and county posting notices before adoption.
    • Regulations adopted under section 64.180 apply to unincorporated territory, except as otherwise provided.
    • Adopted or amended codes after August 28, 2001, must use a current, calendar year 1999 or later edition of a nationally recognized building code, as amended.
    • A county building ordinance may not conflict with liquefied petroleum gas installations governed by section 323.020.

    public hearings before adoption: >= 3 hearings minimum (Section 64.180(3)) · newspaper notice: >= 15 days (Notice of hearing time and place must be published in at least two newspapers having general circulation within the county) · posted notice: >= 15 days (Notice must be posted in four conspicuous places in the county) · minimum nationally recognized building-code edition: >= calendar year 1999 edition year (Applies after August 28, 2001, under section 64.180)

    “The regulations adopted shall be applicable to the unincorporated territory of the county, except as otherwise provided herein”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — County regulation of construction and issuance of building permits for buildings, including residential construction, in Missouri counties, with the practical focus on county-controlled areas outside incorporated territory.
      “the county commission in all counties of the first and second classification [...] is for this purpose empowered [...] to adopt [...] regulations to control the construction”
    • Limited — Missouri counties' authority to require permits and regulate residential construction in unincorporated areas.
      “Before the adoption of such code of regulations, the county commission shall hold at least three public hearings thereon”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from any Chariton County building-permit or building-code requirements.
  • Inspections — Building inspections in Chariton County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Chariton County.
  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning regulation in Chariton County.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning status across Chariton County, including municipalities and unincorporated areas.
12 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Chariton County, Missouri

Is Chariton County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Chariton County scores 72/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.

Do you need a building permit in Chariton County, Missouri?

Chariton County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas. Onsite septic is permitted by Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Chariton County, Missouri?

Land in Chariton County runs about $4,955 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Chariton County?

Chariton County gets about 40.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.8% of years.

How remote is Chariton County?

A representative private-land location has about 10,855 people within a 30-minute drive and 877,618 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Chariton compares in Missouri

Compare side-by-side →See all 115 Missouri counties ranked →