Bolthole Index

Andrew County, Missouri

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

73Index Score / 100
#39 of 115 in Missouri

Unincorporated Andrew County, Missouri does not require a county building permit or occupancy permit, and the county has no zoning ordinance.123 Septic systems are a separate matter: the Andrew County Health Department handles permitting and inspections, with exemptions that depend on acreage and the project.45

At a glance

Building permit
No county permit in unincorporated Andrew County1
County zoning
None in unincorporated Andrew County3
Occupancy permit
No county occupancy permit in unincorporated areas2
Septic
Health Department permit, inspection or exemption review45
Minimum home size
No county zoning-based minimum in unincorporated areas6
Owner-installed septic
Allowed for the individual homeowner; otherwise use a state-registered installer7

Who to call

Building permits

Andrew County Commission

County government questions about building permits, occupancy permits and zoning

816-324-5716 Ext 4, Option 2

P.O. Box 206, Savannah, MO 64485

Septic permits

Andrew County Health Department

On-site sewage permits and inspections

(816) 324-3139

[email protected]

106 North 5th Street, Savannah, Missouri 64485, USA

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

No county-issued building permit is required for a home or other structure in unincorporated Andrew County because the county says it lacks authority to issue building permits.1 Andrew County likewise does not issue an occupancy permit in its unincorporated area.2

That answer is limited to county permits outside incorporated cities; a city may administer its own requirements.1 Missouri fire and building codes are adopted locally rather than through one uniform statewide code, and the county's published statement does not expressly answer whether any residential building code applies or whether building inspections occur.8 Ask the Andrew County Commission about the parcel, and contact the relevant city before relying on the county answer for land inside city limits.9

Who handles building permits in Andrew County?

Andrew County has no building department that issues county building or occupancy permits for unincorporated land.12 The Andrew County Commission is the practical first call for county-government questions because the commission publishes the county's no-zoning and no-permit position.9

Separate approvals still have separate offices. The Andrew County Health Department handles on-site sewage permits and inspections.10 Development in a floodplain can require a local floodplain development permit, depending on the site and work.11 A driveway that enters a Missouri state highway requires a written MoDOT permit before Andrew County will assign an address, even for an existing building.12 For a city parcel, contact that city's permitting office because the county's answer is limited to unincorporated Andrew County.1

Does Andrew County have zoning?

Unincorporated Andrew County has no county zoning ordinance.3 That means the county does not impose zoning-based minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage or building-height controls there.613141516

No county zoning does not erase septic, floodplain, road-access or city rules.51112 Incorporated cities in Andrew County may have zoning issues of their own, so verify jurisdiction before treating a parcel as unzoned.3 The county's published material does not confirm a general subdivision rule or a county construction-code inspection program; the Andrew County Commission is the office to ask before dividing land or finalizing construction plans.9

How do septic permits work in Andrew County?

The Andrew County Health Department provides on-site sewage permitting and inspections under state and local requirements.4 Applications for installation permits are available through the department, whose environmental public health specialist handles the inspections and permits.1710

Residential lots of 3 acres or more are generally exempt from permitting, but exceptions apply, and commercial property requires a permit regardless of lot size.5 With multiple systems, the exemption requires 10 acres per system and at least 360 feet between systems; larger subdivisions may fall under Missouri Department of Natural Resources rules.5 Only 12% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make the soil evaluation an early feasibility step.18 An individual homeowner may install a system; otherwise the installer must be Missouri state-registered.7

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

Andrew County's lack of county zoning means unincorporated land has no county zoning-based minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size or setback rule.361314 That makes a tiny-home proposal different from one in a county with dimensional zoning, but it does not by itself approve residential occupancy in an RV or settle sanitation, floodplain, utility or access requirements.51112

We could not confirm a county rule that expressly allows or prohibits living in an RV on private land, so ask the Andrew County Commission before purchase and describe whether the use is temporary or permanent.9 For either an RV or tiny home using an on-site sewage system, ask the Andrew County Health Department whether a permit or exemption applies to the specific parcel.10

Building a home in Andrew County: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm that the parcel is outside an incorporated city; the county's no-building-permit and no-zoning answers apply to unincorporated Andrew County.13
  2. Ask the Andrew County Commission about any unresolved building-code, inspection, floodplain or subdivision issue tied to the site.911
  3. Contact the Andrew County Health Department before designing the septic system and obtain either the required construction permit or confirmation that an exemption applies.45
  4. Arrange a qualifying installer or use the individual-homeowner installation option, then complete the required septic inspections.717
  5. If the driveway enters a state highway, obtain the written MoDOT driveway permit before requesting the county address.12
  6. Complete any floodplain review before construction when the site lies in a flood hazard area.11

What should you check before buying land in Andrew County?

Start with septic feasibility: only 12% of Andrew County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, and the Health Department's acreage exemptions do not guarantee a workable site.185 Verify floodplain status because qualifying work can require a local development permit.11 Confirm legal and physical access, and budget time for a MoDOT permit if the driveway connects to a state highway.12

Private-well permitting and countywide water or sewer connection requirements were not confirmed, so identify the serving water district and ask the Andrew County Health Department about water testing and sanitation before closing.10 For carrying costs, Andrew County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.8%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,495.1920 Farmland value averages about $5,070 per acre, which is a county benchmark rather than a parcel appraisal.21

Watch-outs

  • A large residential lot may be generally exempt from a septic permit, but commercial sites, multiple systems and some subdivisions follow different rules.5
  • A state-highway driveway needs a written MoDOT permit before Andrew County will assign an address, even when the building already exists.12
  • Andrew County's no-zoning and no-building-permit statements do not govern incorporated cities.31
  • The county's official material does not expressly resolve RV occupancy, private-well permits or residential building inspections; ask the Andrew County Commission and Health Department before committing to a design.910

Sources

  1. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  2. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  3. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  4. Sewage | Andrew County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. Sewage | Andrew County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  6. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  7. Andrew County Address Request Form, quoted and re-checked
  8. RSMo Section 64.170 (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Andrew County Commission (andrewcounty.org)
  10. Andrew County Health Department (andrewcountyhealth.com)
  11. Andrew County Water Improvements Environmental Assessment, quoted and re-checked
  12. Andrew County Address Request Form, quoted and re-checked
  13. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  14. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  15. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  16. Commissioner | Andrew County MO, quoted and re-checked
  17. Sewage Inspection & Permitting | Andrew County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  18. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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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County locator

Andrew County in Missouri

73
County map
Andrew County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Andrew County scores

Seclusion59100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency58100% ev.
Admin Boringness8990% ev.
Durability54100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost74100% 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 →

$305kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$5,070Land / acre
37.3"Annual rain
6.7% of yrsSevere drought
10.3 / yr (+8.5)Mid-century 100°F days
18.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.95" (+7.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.72×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,045Home insurance / yr
3.9% / yrInsurance growth
2.03%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
11,315People within 30 min
2,676,173People within 2 hr
19,098Radius comparison (15 mi)
41.9People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
88.2%Land at 15% slope or less
12%Septic soil without severe limits
32,962 acWorkable land screen
20.2%Wooded land
35.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
52.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Andrew County

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

Andrew County rules

  • Building permitNot required

    County-issued building permits in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • This claim concerns county-issued permits; incorporated cities may administer their own requirements.
    “the County has no authority to issue building permits or occupancy permits”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Homeowner installation of an on-site sewage system in Andrew County.

    • All sewage systems must otherwise be installed by a Missouri state-registered installer.
    • The county form states the exception is for installation by the individual homeowner.
    “ALL SEWAGE SYSTEMS MUST BE INSTALLED BY A MISSOURI STATE REGISTERED INSTALLER UNLESS INSTALLED BY THE INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER.”
  • Certificate of occupancyNot required

    County-issued occupancy permits or certificates in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • This claim concerns county-issued occupancy permits; incorporated cities may have separate requirements.
    “the County has no authority to issue building permits or occupancy permits”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County zoning ordinances in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • The county page states that incorporated cities may have zoning issues; this claim is limited to the county's unincorporated area.
    “Andrew County has no zoning ordinances in the county.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    County zoning-based minimum dwelling-size rules in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • No county zoning ordinance means no county zoning-based dimensional control; building, septic, health, floodplain, and municipal rules may still apply.
    “Andrew County has no zoning ordinances in the county.”
  • Minimum lot sizeNone

    County zoning-based minimum lot-size rules in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • No county zoning ordinance means no county zoning-based dimensional control; subdivision, septic, health, floodplain, and municipal rules may still apply.
    “Andrew County has no zoning ordinances in the county.”
  • SetbacksNone

    County zoning-based setback rules in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • No county zoning ordinance means no county zoning-based setback control; other public-safety, roadway, floodplain, septic, and municipal rules may still apply.
    “Andrew County has no zoning ordinances in the county.”
  • Lot coverageNone

    County zoning-based lot-coverage rules in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • No county zoning ordinance means no county zoning-based lot-coverage control; other applicable laws and municipal rules may still apply.
    “Andrew County has no zoning ordinances in the county.”
  • Building heightNone

    County zoning-based building-height rules in unincorporated Andrew County.

    • No county zoning ordinance means no county zoning-based height control; building, floodplain, airport, safety, and municipal rules may still apply.
    “Andrew County has no zoning ordinances in the county.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    On-site sewage systems in Andrew County.

    • The Andrew County Health Department administers permitting and inspections.
    • Applications must meet Missouri state requirements and Andrew County regulations.
    “The Andrew County Health Department provides guidance, permitting, and inspections to ensure compliance with state and local regulations regarding sewage disposal systems.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, repair, or replacement of private sewage systems in Andrew County.

    • Residential lots 3 acres or larger are generally exempt, except in certain situations.
    • All commercial properties require a permit regardless of lot size.
    • For two or more sewage systems, 10 acres must be available for each system and systems must be at least 360 feet apart to remain exempt.
    • Lots subdivided into seven or more tracts may fall under Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulations.

    residential lot exemption threshold: >= 3 acres (Generally exempt, except in certain situations) · multiple-system exemption area: 10 acres per system (Two or more sewage systems) · minimum separation for multiple-system exemption: >= 360 feet (Two or more sewage systems)

    “Residential lots 3 acres or larger are generally exempt from the permitting process, except in certain situations:”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    State-highway driveway access associated with an Andrew County address request.

    • A written MoDOT driveway permit is required before an address can be assigned.
    • The requirement applies even when the building is existing.
    • The source does not establish a county-road driveway permit requirement.
    “A WRITTEN PERMIT FROM MODOT IS REQUIRED BEFORE AN ADDRESS CAN BE ASSIGNED.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Special Flood Hazard Areas and other floodplain work in Andrew County.

    • Andrew County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.
    • Compliance and permits are required as needed for work in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
    • A local floodplain development permit could be required for work in the floodplain.
    • For the referenced Andrew PWSD #2 project, the Commission believed the work was exempt, subject to review by the county floodplain administrator as final plans develop.
    “A local floodplain development permit could be required for work in the floodplain.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    On-site sewage permit and inspection process in Andrew County.

    • Applications are available through the health department during normal business hours or may be requested by mail.
    • An On-Site Sewage Treatment System Construction Permit is available.
    • The Environmental Public Health Specialist handles all inspections and permits.
    “Applications for on-site sewage system installation permits are available through our office.”

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”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures as against county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances.

    • The exemption applies to fire protection or fire prevention ordinances adopted by counties in Missouri.
    • The statutory text addresses farm buildings and farm structures; it does not establish a general exemption from every zoning, building-code, floodplain, septic, or other land-use requirement.
    • Effective August 28, 2025.

    effective date: 2025-08-28

    “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.”
  • 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.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Missouri counties adopting zoning regulations for unincorporated territory.

    • First-class charter counties are empowered under RSMo § 64.090; that section excludes first-class counties without a charter form of government.
    • A first-class noncharter county or a county of the second, third, or fourth class may establish county zoning under RSMo §§ 64.845 to 64.880 only after the zoning question is submitted to county voters and a majority of votes cast favors county zoning.
    • The authority applies to unincorporated portions or territory and does not apply to incorporated portions under § 64.090.
    • Section 64.090 excludes specified agricultural activities and certain farm structures, underground mining, and protects existing lawful uses subject to gradual elimination of nonconforming uses.
    “If a majority of the votes cast is in favor of county zoning, the county commission shall proceed with a program of county zoning”
  • county building authorityLimited

    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.

    • RSMo § 64.170 grants the authority to counties of the first and second classification only.
    • The authority is subject to subsections 2 and 3.
    • A county that had not adopted a building code before August 28, 2001, under §§ 64.170 to 64.200, lacks authority to adopt one under those sections unless voters approve it.
    • The building-code authority vote is limited to voters in the affected area; a code affecting a county may not be voted on by citizens of incorporated territory.
    • The statute authorizes building regulations, building permits, inspections, licensing rules, and permit, license, and inspection fees.
    “the county commission in all counties of the first and second classification [...] is for this purpose empowered [...] to adopt [...] regulations to control the construction”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building inspections in unincorporated Andrew County.
  • Well permit — Private water wells in Andrew County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer utility-connection requirements in Andrew County.
  • Subdividing land — Subdivision regulation in Andrew County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in Andrew County.

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 Andrew County, Missouri

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

Andrew County scores 73/100 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 Andrew County, Missouri?

Andrew 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 Andrew County Health Department. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. 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 Andrew County, Missouri?

Land in Andrew County runs about $5,070 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Andrew County?

Andrew County gets about 37.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.7% of years.

How remote is Andrew County?

A representative private-land location has about 11,315 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,676,173 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.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Andrew compares in Missouri

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