Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Exeter, Missouri

Rules another office applies inside Exeter

Exeter does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater treatment systems inside Exeter city limits that are not regulated wastewater treatment systems operated by or on behalf of Exeter city.

  • The ordinance applies to all wastewater treatment systems in Barry County.
  • Regulated wastewater treatment systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality are exempt from the ordinance.

  “all wastewater treatment systems in the county.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, installation, renovation, or repair of an onsite wastewater treatment system inside Exeter city limits, where the system is subject to the Barry County ordinance.

  • The county ordinance applies to all wastewater treatment systems in the county, except regulated systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality.
  • The Health Department must approve system type, design, and capacity before issuing a permit to install.
  • The system must be constructed by a Health Department-registered installer except as specified in § 7.03.

  “Any person engaged in construction, installation, renovation or repair of any wastewater treatment system or part of a wastewater treatment system shall obtain a permit from the Barry County Health Department.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New onsite wastewater treatment systems inside Exeter city limits subject to the Barry County ordinance.

  • The county ordinance excludes regulated wastewater treatment systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality.
  • Final inspection must occur before trench backfilling.
  • Twenty-four-hour advance notice is required when possible.

  advance notice: 24 hours (Required when possible.)

  “Final inspection is made before back-filling the trenches”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  A building or public gathering inside Exeter city limits using a nonmunicipal wastewater system subject to the Barry County ordinance.

  • The county ordinance applies to all wastewater treatment systems in the county, except regulated systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality.
  • The restriction applies when persons live, work, or assemble in a building, or assemble at a public gathering, for six or more hours.
  • Sanitary disposal must be by methods or devices approved by the Health Department.

  duration threshold: >= 6 hours (Living, working, assembling in a building, or a public gathering.)

  “Live, work or assemble in any building or assemble at any public gathering six (6) or more hours in duration where sanitary disposal of all wastewater and human excreta is not provided by methods or devices approved by the Health Department.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater permits inside Exeter city limits where the system is subject to the Barry County ordinance.

  • The county ordinance applies to all wastewater treatment systems in the county, except regulated systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality.
  • Fees are non-refundable and subject to annual revision.
  • A single-family wastewater-system fee may be waived by the Health Officer upon proof that it would cause undue hardship.

  single-family dwelling wastewater permit: 200 USD · non-single-family dwelling wastewater permit: 300 USD · wastewater repair permit: 75 USD

  “Single-family dwelling $200.00 Non-single family dwelling $300.00 Repairs $75.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Onsite wastewater permit applications inside Exeter city limits where the system is subject to the Barry County ordinance.

  • The county ordinance excludes regulated wastewater treatment systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality.
  • A registered soil scientist or professional engineer must perform a site evaluation for every installation; a percolation test alone is not accepted.
  • A 911 address and parcel identification number are required before applying.
  • The procedure states review and site visit may take up to five days; construction may begin once approval is given.

  possible review and site-visit duration: <= 5 days (The procedure states the process might take up to five days.)

  “SECTION 2. APPLICABILITY. These regulations apply to all wastewater treatment systems in the county. Regulated wastewater treatment systems operated by or on behalf on an incorporated municipality are exempt from this ordinance.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Exeter or Barry County directly.

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Exeter city limits.
• Building code adopted — Residential construction inside Exeter city limits.
• Inspections — Residential building inspections inside Exeter city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Exeter city limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Exeter city limits.

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.