Bolthole Index

Daviess County, Missouri

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

74Index Score / 100
#35 of 115 in Missouri

Unincorporated Daviess County, Missouri generally does not require a county building permit for a home1. Daviess County has no comprehensive county zoning, but cities, Lake Viking and townships may set separate rules23. Start septic permitting with the Daviess County Health Department; inside Gallatin, private sewage systems where public sewer is unavailable also require a City Superintendent permit45.

At a glance

Building permit
Generally not required by the county in unincorporated Daviess County1
Zoning
No comprehensive county zoning; separate local rules may apply63
Septic permits
Most installations and repairs require a septic permit; confirm the authority and any exemption before work78
RV living
No county zoning restriction in unincorporated areas; check separate local rules63
Tiny homes
No county zoning restriction in unincorporated areas; check separate local rules63
Septic soils
0% of mapped soils are rated free of severe conventional drain-field limits9
Private wells
Permits normally apply, but owners drilling their own well or installing their own pump are exempt101112

Who to call

Septic permits

Daviess County Health Department

Local contact for onsite wastewater permitting and environmental health questions

660-663-2414

609A South Main Street, Gallatin, MO 64640-1447

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 Daviess County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

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

An ordinary home in unincorporated Daviess County generally does not need a county building permit1. Inside Gallatin, the city requires building permits for covered construction and alterations13. Gallatin also requires a City Superintendent permit for private sewage disposal where public sewer is unavailable; the Daviess County Health Department remains the listed county contract septic authority54. Zoning approval, floodplain development permits and MoDOT driveway permits are separate from the county building-permit answer141516. We could not confirm county residential inspections, certificates of occupancy or an owner-builder exemption; ask the County Commission before relying on their absence.

Who issues building permits in Daviess County, and how do you reach them?

For a home in unincorporated Daviess County, a county building permit is generally not required1. Ask the township board about zoning approval; inside Gallatin, ask the city about building permits and zoning141317. Start county septic questions with the Daviess County Health Department, Missouri’s listed contract authority, and confirm who handles the particular address because some incorporated areas defer permitting to DHSS4. Gallatin’s City Superintendent issues the city’s private-sewage permit where public sewer is unavailable5. The Health Department is at 609A South Main Street, Gallatin, MO 64640-1447, and its phone number is 660-663-241418. We could not confirm a dedicated county floodplain administrator; ask the County Commission who handles floodplain development permits.

Does Daviess County have zoning?

Daviess County has no comprehensive county zoning ordinance2. County zoning therefore sets no minimum dwelling or lot size, setbacks, lot coverage or building height in unincorporated Daviess County, and does not restrict accessory dwellings or RV, tiny-home and manufactured-home occupancy6. Separate local rules still matter: cities and Lake Viking have their own regulations, and township boards are responsible for zoning regulations3. Gallatin has its own zoning districts and map; buildings and uses inside city limits must comply with the applicable district17. Gallatin’s private-sewage permit comes from the City Superintendent where public sewer is unavailable, while the Health Department is the listed county septic authority54. We could not confirm which townships maintain written zoning ordinances; request the parcel’s rules from its township board.

How do septic permits work in Daviess County?

Start with the Daviess County Health Department, Missouri’s listed contract septic authority, and confirm jurisdiction for the address before applying48. Most septic installations and repairs require a construction permit, and local rules may be stricter than the state minimum7. The state baseline requires septic permits on residential property under 3 acres and for all nonresidential systems regardless of acreage; do not begin work until the authority issues a permit or confirms an exemption198. Septic application fees are temporarily suspended20. With 0% of mapped soils rated free of severe conventional drain-field limitations, evaluate the site before fixing the house location9. DNR handles lagoons serving anything other than a single-family residence and treatment facilities with daily flows over 3,000 gallons, so those projects need a different jurisdiction check821.

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

The absence of comprehensive county zoning means county zoning imposes no RV or tiny-home occupancy restriction in unincorporated Daviess County26. Cities, Lake Viking and applicable township rules may still control a parcel; ask the relevant local authority about placement and occupancy before moving a dwelling onto the land3. We could not confirm local utility-connection requirements, so ask the serving utility and local zoning authority. Any dwelling needs lawful wastewater disposal: Missouri prohibits wastewater discharge onto the ground or into a road ditch, and most septic installations or repairs require a permit unless the permitting authority confirms an exemption227.

Building a home in Daviess County: the steps, in order

  1. Identify whether the parcel is unincorporated or falls under a city, Lake Viking or township zoning rule, then request that jurisdiction's standards3.
  1. Call the Daviess County Health Department before fixing the house site; confirm the permitting authority and whether a septic permit or residential exemption applies before starting installation or repair48.
  1. Complete the soil and system planning because 0% of mapped soils are rated free of severe conventional drain-field limitations9.
  1. Check the flood map and ask the County Commission who administers the local process if the site is in a floodplain; all floodplain development requires some type of permit15.
  1. Obtain a MoDOT driveway permit before work in state right-of-way; controlled-access changes face separate review and a $100 application fee1623.
  1. Confirm that no parcel-specific approval remains, then proceed without a general county residential building permit in unincorporated Daviess County1.

What should you check before buying land in Daviess County?

Start with wastewater feasibility: 0% of mapped Daviess County soils are rated free of severe conventional drain-field limitations, so make a site evaluation part of the purchase contingency9. Missouri does not require a septic inspection before a real-estate transaction, but local requirements may be stricter; ask the Daviess County Health Department whether a transfer inspection is required for the address244. A buyer- or lender-requested inspection must use a licensed individual24. Landowners installing their own well or pump are exempt from installation permit requirements, but must follow the other Missouri Well Construction Rules1112. Confirm the parcel’s city, Lake Viking or township zoning rules, flood hazards and state-highway access before closing31516.

Watch-outs

  • County zoning does not restrict RV or tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Daviess County, but city, Lake Viking or applicable township rules may control the parcel63.
  • Because 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe conventional septic limits, make wastewater feasibility a purchase contingency9.
  • Suspended septic application fees do not waive septic permits: begin installation or repair only after the authority issues a permit or confirms an exemption208.

Sources

  1. Daviess County, MO - Officials (2026 county census)
  2. Minutes of the Daviess County Commission, October 2, 2024, quoted and re-checked
  3. Minutes of the Daviess County Commission, October 2, 2024, quoted and re-checked
  4. OWTS Construction Permit Process — Daviess County listing, quoted and re-checked
  5. Gallatin: Chapter 710 Public and Private Sewers - City of Gallatin, MO (Daviess County), quoted and re-checked
  6. Missouri law on county zoning and building authority
  7. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  8. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  9. 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
  10. Water Wells - PUB2945, quoted and re-checked
  11. Water Wells - PUB2945, quoted and re-checked
  12. Well Installation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - PUB2193, quoted and re-checked
  13. Gallatin: Chapter 500 Building Codes and Regulations - City of Gallatin, MO (Daviess County), quoted and re-checked
  14. Daviess County Missouri Official Website, quoted and re-checked
  15. Floodplain Forms, quoted and re-checked
  16. Permits | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Gallatin: Article II: Designation Of Districts And District Provisions - City of Gallatin, MO (Daviess County), quoted and re-checked
  18. Daviess County Health Department (daviesshealthonline.com)
  19. Frequently Asked Questions — Missouri Onsite Wastewater Treatment, quoted and re-checked
  20. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  21. Resources — Missouri Onsite Wastewater Treatment, quoted and re-checked
  22. health.mo.gov (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Category:941 Permits and Access Requests - Engineering Policy Guide, quoted and re-checked
  24. Frequently Asked Questions — inspections, quoted and re-checked

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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

Compared with neighboring counties

Like 4 of its 6 neighbors, Daviess County requires no county building permit for a home.

RuleDaviess CountyCaldwell CountyDeKalb CountyHarrison CountyGrundy CountyLivingston CountyGentry County
Building permitNot requiredRequiredNot requiredNot requiredNot requiredRequiredNot required
County zoningNoYesNoNot publishedNot publishedYesNo
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.DHSSDHSSDHSSMO DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment ProgramDHSSNot published

County locator

Daviess County in Missouri

74
County map
Daviess County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Daviess County scores

Seclusion67100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness8390% ev.
Durability47100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost77100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$297kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$4,517Land / acre
39.2"Annual rain
8.1% of yrsSevere drought
10.9 / yr (+9.2)Mid-century 100°F days
18.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.05" (+9.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.76×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,022Home insurance / yr
2.8% / yrInsurance growth
1.77%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
10,279People within 30 min
2,660,132People within 2 hr
12,066Radius comparison (15 mi)
15.2People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
94.5%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
0 acWorkable land screen
22.8%Wooded land
59.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
52.8°FAvg temp

Scout Daviess County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Daviess County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Cities and towns in Daviess 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: Village of Altamont · Benton Township · Coffey · Colfax Township · Gilman City · Grand River Township · Harrison Township · Jackson Township · Town of Jameson · Jamesport · Jamesport Township · Jefferson Township · Liberty Township · Lincoln Township · Village of Lock Springs · Marion Township · Monroe Township · Pattonsburg · Salem Township · Sheridan Township · Union Township · Washington Township · Village of Winston

Answers from the rulebook for Daviess County

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

Daviess County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent (with conditions)

    County-level comprehensive zoning and ordinances in Daviess County, including the county's unincorporated territory.

    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Daviess County's municipalities, Lake Viking, and 15 townships; the county itself does not administer each local rule.

    • The County Commission states that each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.
    • The county homepage states that township boards are responsible for zoning regulations.
    • The sources do not identify which of the 15 townships maintain written zoning ordinances or specify their contents.
    “Townships are operated by board members who are responsible for setting tax levies, maintaining roads and culverts under 36 inches, and zoning regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Local zoning regulation across Daviess County, aggregated across the county's townships and incorporated cities; the county itself is not claimed to administer each local ordinance.
      “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Zoning districts · by state lawNot published

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Minimum lot size · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Building height · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Living in an RV · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Tiny homes · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Manufactured homes · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Onsite wastewater permitting in Daviess County, including unincorporated areas unless an incorporated municipality is subject to the stated exception.

    • The Missouri DHSS listing identifies Daviess County Health Department as the contract permitting authority.
    • Some incorporated Missouri cities may not fall under the local permitting authority; in those areas the local authority defers the permit process back to DHSS.
    “Agency: Daviess County Health Dept. Authority Type: Contract”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or repair of most onsite wastewater treatment systems in Daviess County.

    • A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most OWTS.
    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.
    • The FAQ states that residential property less than three acres requires a permit, that the exemption does not apply in some counties, and that all other non-residential OWTS require a permit regardless of property size.
    • Work should not begin until a permit is issued or an exemption is confirmed by the appropriate permitting authority.
    • The Daviess County Health Department is the listed contract authority; incorporated-area exceptions may defer permitting to DHSS.

    residential property size threshold: < 3 acres (The exemption does not apply in some counties; check with the county authority.)

    “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.”
  • Building permitNot required

    Daviess County is a township-form, non-charter rural county; its official officials/offices listing shows no building department or inspector, and Missouri non-charter rural counties generally lack authority to require residential building permits in unincorporated areas. Corroborated by the state County Building Codes dataset (data.mo.gov iq7s-izvt, 2021): no county residential building code adopted.

    Daviess County, MO - Officials ↗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
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping at Gallatin Conservation Area in Daviess County, Missouri, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

    • Camping at Gallatin Conservation Area is allowed only as designated in the area's Things To Do When You Visit section; the page lists individual campsites.
    • Camping is limited to fourteen (14) consecutive days in any thirty (30)-day period, beginning when the site is occupied or camping in the department area first occurs.
    • Personal property must be removed at the end of the fourteen-day period.
    • Total camping days on all department areas are limited to thirty (30) days within one calendar year, unless a special use permit is obtained; requests exceeding thirty days in a calendar year may be granted with a special use permit.
    • On areas with established campsites, no more than two camping or sleeping units are permitted per site.
    • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily; visitors not occupying a campsite must leave the campground by 10:00 p.m.
    • Quiet hours prohibit excessive noise from people or mechanical devices that disturbs other campers.
    • Campfires are allowed only in designated camping areas or by special use permit.
    • Groups of more than ten people must obtain a special use permit before camping.
    • Special use permits for Gallatin Conservation Area should be requested at least thirty days in advance.
    • Area signs, posted regulations, the conservation atlas, or area maps may further restrict camping. Federal, state, and local laws also apply on department lands.

    maximum consecutive stay: 14 days (in any 30-day period) · annual camping limit: 30 days per calendar year (camping requests exceeding 30 days may be granted with a special use permit) · maximum camping or sleeping units per established campsite: 2 units (Thomas Hill Reservoir has a separate limit of 1 unit and 6 people per campsite) · quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. · group special use permit threshold: > 10 people (permit required prior to camping) · special use permit request lead time: >= 30 days (MDC page says permits should be requested at least 30 days in advance)

    “Camping is allowed only as designated [...] for this department area. [...] camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Inspection or evaluation of existing onsite wastewater systems in Missouri, including Daviess County.

    • For the most part, local public health agencies no longer inspect existing systems related to real estate transfer.
    • A licensed inspector may be obtained to check the system condition.
    • When applying for a home loan, the lender determines which type of assessment is required, if any.
    • State regulations do not require systems to be brought up to current standards as a result of an inspection or evaluation to be sold.
    • Local standards may be more stringent than the state regulation.
    • If repairs are planned, the local administrative authority must be contacted regarding permit requirements before construction or major repair.
    “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.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Inspection or evaluation of an onsite wastewater system before a Missouri real-estate transaction, as the statewide baseline relevant to Daviess County.
      “No. However, if a lender or buyer requests an inspection/evaluation, it must be conducted by a licensed individual.”
    • Not required — Inspection or evaluation of an onsite wastewater system before a Missouri real-estate transaction.
      “No. However, if a lender or buyer requests an inspection/evaluation, it must be conducted by a licensed individual. Some counties may require an onsite system inspection/evaluation for every real estate transaction. Check with the local permitting authority.”
    • Limited — Inspection or evaluation of existing onsite wastewater systems 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”
    6 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — A landowner installing the landowner's own water well or pump in Daviess County.
      “Landowners may install their own well or pump without a permit pursuant to the above mentioned law and rules.”
    • Limited — Water-well construction or repair in Daviess County under Missouri statewide well-construction rules.
      “Landowners may install their own well or pump without a permit pursuant to the above mentioned law and rules.”
    • Limited — A landowner drilling the landowner's own well or installing the landowner's own pump in Daviess County and elsewhere in Missouri.
      “who drill their own well and/or install their own pump are exempt from permit requirements, but must adhere to all other sections of the rules.”
    • Required — Drilling a water supply well as part of construction of a new public water system, or expansion, alteration, or modification of an existing public water system, in Daviess County and elsewhere in Missouri.
      “A water system must obtain a construction permit from the department prior to construction [...] This includes [...] drilling a water supply well”
    • 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)

    Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for agricultural purposes in unincorporated portions of Missouri second- or third-class counties subject to RSMo sections 64.510 to 64.690.

    • The statutory exemption in RSMo 64.620 applies to the county zoning powers described in that section.
    • The property must be in an unincorporated portion of a second- or third-class county.
    • The county zoning authority must have been approved by voters as provided in RSMo 64.530.
    • The farm building or farm structure must be used for the stated agricultural purpose.
    • The exemption from this section applies only where the area is not within the area shown on the flood hazard area map.
    • Incorporated portions of counties are excluded.
    • Separately, RSMo 64.003, effective August 28, 2025, prohibits county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances from imposing regulations or requiring permits for farm buildings or farm structures.
    “This section shall not apply to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for such purposes [...]”
    5 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.”
    • Available (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.
      “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.”
  • 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 accessLimited

    Driveway access requests within controlled-access right-of-way on Missouri state highways in Daviess County.

    • Controlled-access requests are evaluated under MoDOT access-management guidance and may involve breaks in access, entrance shifts, widenings, or elimination of use restrictions.
    • An application fee of $100 should be charged for parties requesting changes in access within controlled-access right-of-way; the fee is refunded if MoDOT does not approve the request, forfeited if the applicant stops pursuing the request, and deducted from compensation if the request is approved.
    • The fee should be waived when the requesting party is a governmental entity.
    • The District Engineer, State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer, or Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may have approval authority depending on the request.
    • Entrances within no-access right-of-way shall not be permitted; a request may be submitted for higher-level review if the district determines the right-of-way need not remain as restrictive.

    application fee: 100 USD (Waived when the requesting party is a governmental entity; refunded if MoDOT elects not to approve; forfeited if the applicant chooses not to pursue the request; deducted from compensation if approved)

    “An application fee of $100 should be charged to parties requesting changes in access within controlled access right of way.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction or modification of driveways within MoDOT right-of-way statewide.
      “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 a floodplain in Daviess County, including development subject to a community floodplain-management process.
      “This sample Floodplain Development Permit was developed by the State and can be used “as is” or modified to fit the community’s permit process. Regardless, some type of permit MUST be issued for ALL development in the floodplain.”
    • 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 — Application fees for on-site sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs, including systems serving property in Daviess County.
      “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. 701.046 was changed to take out the $90 permit fee and authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services to set reasonable fees—effectively placing current fees on hold until the new standards take effect.”
    • 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)

    On-site wastewater treatment system construction, modification, or repair in Daviess County, subject to the applicable permitting authority.

    • A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems.
    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.
    • The first step is determining which agency has permitting authority where the work occurs.
    • Permitting may be handled by the DHSS Onsite Program, a local authority under contract, or a local authority via ordinance.
    • The application process varies by permitting authority.
    • Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption has been confirmed.
    • Lagoons serving anything other than a single-family residence fall under the Department of Natural Resources.
    • DHSS covers single-family residential systems and onsite or cluster systems treating domestic wastewater flows of 3,000 gallons per day or less and dispersing wastewater through soil treatment or absorption systems.
    • DNR regulates other listed wastewater systems, including 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 (Applies to DHSS-covered onsite or cluster systems dispersing 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. The first step of the permitting process is to determine the agency that has permitting authority where the work is being done. [...] DHSS OWTS permitting falls under one of three authority types: DHSS Onsite Program, Local Authority (contract), or Local Authority via Ordinance. The application process varies by permitting authority. Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption to permitting has been confirmed by the appropriate permitting authority.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • 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.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Installation or repair of most onsite wastewater treatment systems 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.”
  • 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 for residential construction in unincorporated Daviess County, Missouri.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction in Daviess County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential buildings in Daviess County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water or sewer connection requirements for property in Daviess County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Daviess County, Missouri.

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 Daviess County, Missouri

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

Daviess County scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost.

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

Daviess County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Daviess County Health Department (under Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater 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.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Daviess County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Daviess County is allowed: Unincorporated Daviess County: no county rule sets this, because Daviess County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Daviess County, Missouri?

Land in Daviess County runs about $4,517 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Daviess County?

Daviess County gets about 39.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.1% of years.

How remote is Daviess County?

A representative private-land location has about 10,279 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,660,132 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 Daviess compares in Missouri

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