Bolthole Index

Bates County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Butler, Missouri

Butler, Missouri requires city building permits for new construction and other listed work, and every parcel inside the city is assigned to a zoning district.12 Where public sewer is unavailable, a private sewage system needs a written City permit and inspection, with additional state or county health requirements potentially applying.34

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction and other listed work inside Butler1
Zoning
City zoning assigns every parcel to a district with use and dimensional standards25
Private sewage
Allowed where public sewer is unavailable, with a written City permit and inspection63
Tiny homes
No confirmed special rule; the parcel's zoning and adopted building code still need review27
R-1 lot size
At least 10,000 square feet, rising to one acre without water and sewer service8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Butler Building Inspections

Building permits, adopted construction codes and building inspections inside Butler

660-679-6323

701 Roberta Road, Butler, MO 64730

Zoning

City of Butler Planning & Zoning

Property development, land use regulations, zoning administration and zoning questions inside Butler

(660) 679-4182

22 W Ohio Street, Butler, MO 64730

Septic permits

Bates County Health Center - Environmental Health

County environmental-health requirements that may apply to onsite sewage systems in Butler

660-679-6108

P.O. Box 178, 501 N. Orange, Butler, MO 64730

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Butler, Missouri?

Yes. Butler requires a building permit before work governed by the city building chapter begins.9 The city's published list includes new construction, additions, driveways, fences, roofing, carports, garages, swimming pools, specified structural interior work, electrical wiring, and plumbing or mechanical work affecting health or safety.1 Storage buildings larger than 120 square feet are also on that list.1

Butler adopted its listed 2024 building, residential, plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, property-maintenance, existing-building, electrical and fire codes in 2025.7 A roof permit carries a flat $35 fee for a new roof or a second shingle layer, while other permit charges follow the current City Council fee schedule.1011

Who issues building permits in Butler, MO?

City of Butler Building Inspections is the building-code contact inside city limits; the official page lists 660-679-6323 and 701 Roberta Road.12 Building, driveway, fence, pool and sign applications are published by the city.13 Applications are handled through the City Office at 22 W. Ohio Street, and project charges can include plan-review and issuance fees.14

Call Building Inspections before placing a prefabricated building or beginning construction that may need a permit.12 Butler has not established a confirmed owner-builder exemption in the available city material, so an owner planning to self-perform work should ask the office what registration, trade-permit and inspection rules apply before work starts.

Does Butler have zoning, and what does it control?

Butler has municipal zoning, and each parcel is assigned to a district that controls allowable uses and dimensional standards.2 The city publishes a zoning map, and its zoning code addresses minimum lot size, maximum building height and minimum front-yard depth.5 Planning & Zoning administers the zoning code and land-use regulations from 22 W Ohio Street at (660) 679-4182.15

District details matter. In R-1, the minimum lot area is 10,000 square feet, or one acre where water and sewer facilities are unavailable.8 In A-1, each dwelling generally needs at least 2.5 acres per family and a lot at least 150 feet wide, with a stated exception for certain separately owned undersized lots.16 Principal buildings in R-1 and structures in A-1 are limited to 35 feet and 2.5 stories.1718

How do septic permits work inside Butler?

A private sewage system is an option inside Butler only where public sanitary sewer is unavailable.6 Before construction starts, the owner must obtain a written permit signed by the city inspector and submit the City form with any requested plans, specifications and supporting information.3 A subsurface soil-absorption system cannot receive a permit on a lot smaller than 15,000 square feet.19

The applicant must notify the inspector before underground work is covered and when the system is ready for final inspection; the city rule calls for inspection within 72 hours after notice.4 Butler's code also preserves additional requirements imposed by state or county health officers.20 Bates County Health Center says its Environmental Public Health Specialist handles sewage permits and can be reached at 660-679-6108.21

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Butler?

We could not confirm a Butler rule that generally allows residential RV occupancy or temporary camping on private land. Ask Planning & Zoning at (660) 679-4182 about the parcel's district and proposed duration before buying or moving an RV onto the site.15

We also could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy rule or a citywide minimum dwelling size. A tiny-home proposal still falls under Butler's parcel-specific zoning standards and adopted building codes.27 In R-1, the lot must contain at least 10,000 square feet, or one acre without water and sewer facilities, regardless of the home's small footprint.8 Planning & Zoning should confirm the use, setbacks and district fit, while Building Inspections should confirm code classification and construction requirements.1512

Building a home in Butler: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel's district and confirm the proposed home, lot area and site layout.215
  2. Determine whether public water and sewer are available; the city requires a public-water connection when access is within 100 feet of the property line and official notice has been given, with connection due within 60 days.22
  3. If public sewer is unavailable, obtain the written private-sewage permit before construction and coordinate any additional county health requirements.321
  4. Submit the building-permit application through the City Office and obtain the permit before starting work.149
  5. Arrange the required building and private-sewage inspections before covering work.4
  6. If the driveway enters MoDOT right-of-way, obtain the state driveway permit.23

What should you check before buying land in Butler?

Confirm the city-limit status, zoning district, permitted use, lot dimensions and setbacks before treating a Butler parcel as buildable.25 Verify public-water and sewer availability early because service availability changes both connection duties and the private-sewage path.226

For a parcel needing onsite sewage, budget for a site-specific evaluation: across Bates County, 0% of mapped soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.24 Check access authority as well, because Butler requires a driveway permit and MoDOT separately requires one for work in state right-of-way.2523 Bates County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, and its median annual property-tax bill is $962.2627

Watch-outs

  • Do not begin city-regulated construction before Butler issues the building permit; the code allows the permit fee to be doubled when work starts first.9
  • A private sewage system is not the default where public sewer is available, and subsurface soil absorption needs at least 15,000 square feet.28
  • Butler's residential RV, temporary-camping and tiny-home occupancy rules were not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning about the exact parcel and proposed use before relying on either option.15

Sources

  1. Building Inspections & Codes (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  3. Division 2: Private Sewage Disposal Systems (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  4. Division 2: Private Sewage Disposal Systems (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  5. Zoning (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 24 Article IV Division 2 Private Sewage Disposal Systems (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Inspections & Codes (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 26 Article IV, § 26-102 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  9. ecode360.com (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Inspections & Codes (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Inspections & Codes (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Butler Building Inspections (cityofbutlermo.com)
  13. Building Inspections & Codes (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  14. Building Permits Required (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  15. City of Butler Planning & Zoning (cityofbutlermo.com)
  16. Chapter 26 Article IV, § 26-101 A-1 Agricultural Zoning District (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 26 Article IV, § 26-102 R-1 Single-Family Residential District (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  18. Chapter 26 Article IV, § 26-101 A-1 Agricultural Zoning District (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  19. Division 2: Private Sewage Disposal Systems (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  20. Chapter 24 Article IV Division 2 Private Sewage Disposal Systems (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  21. Bates County Health Center - Environmental Health (batescountyhealthcenter.org)
  22. Chapter 24, Article V: Public Water System Connections (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  23. Permits – Missouri Department of Transportation, quoted and re-checked
  24. 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
  25. Building Inspections & Codes (Butler), quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Division 2 Private Sewage Disposal Systems (Butler), quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Butler

Butler’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction and other listed construction work inside Butler city limits.

    • The City page also lists additions, driveways, fences, roofing, carports, garages, storage buildings over 120 square feet, structural-member interior work, swimming pools, relocating walls, egress changes, electrical wiring, and plumbing or mechanical work affecting public health or general safety.
    • The Butler City Council adopted the listed 2024 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Property Maintenance, Existing Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes on June 3, 2025.
    • For roof work, the page states the City requires a permit for installing a new roof or adding a second layer of shingles and charges a flat fee of $35.00.

    storage building threshold: > 120 sq. ft. · roof permit fee: 35 USD

    “The City of Butler requires building permits for: new construction”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Work governed by Butler City Code Chapter 7, including construction within Butler city limits.
      “No person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation shall initiate or perform any work under the provisions of this Chapter without first having obtained a permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building work inside Butler city limits.

    • The adopted codes are identified as 2024 editions.
    • The City page states adoption occurred June 3, 2025.

    adoption date: 2025-06-03

    “The Butler City Council adopted the following 2024 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Property Maintenance, Existing Building, Electrical, and Fire Codes Building codes on June 3, 2025.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted — Building construction inside Butler city limits.
      “The 2024 International Building Code ("IBC"), including Appendices C, H, I, J, K, and P is hereby adopted by reference by the City of Butler, Missouri.”
    • Adopted — Building and construction within Butler city limits.
      “The 2024 International Building Code ("IBC"), including Appendices C, H, I, J, K, and P is hereby adopted by reference by the City of Butler, Missouri.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Residential dwelling units in rental property inside Butler city limits.

    • Inspection is required before a residential occupancy permit is issued.
    • Emergency or unique circumstances may allow occupancy before inspection if inspection and permit follow as soon as practical.
    • The rental inspection is distinct from the final building-permit inspection for newly constructed rental dwellings.

    open occupancy permit duration: 90 days (After 90 days or a change in occupancy, a new permit is required)

    “All residential dwelling units shall be inspected for conformance to the International Property Maintenance Code for minimum housing, building and sanitation standards, and including but not limited to roof repair and water damage, pest inspection, and all applicable dangerous buildings, nuisance, weed and junk ordinance provisions, before a residential occupancy permit shall be issued.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Residential occupancy permits for rental dwelling units inside Butler city limits.

    • No person may allow occupancy or rent a rental dwelling without a residential occupancy permit.
    • City-owned or controlled utilities will not be turned on without a valid residential occupancy permit.
    • Emergency or unique circumstances may allow temporary occupancy before inspection and permit.
    “No person shall allow to be occupied, or shall rent to another for occupancy, any dwelling unit within a rental property without first receiving a residential occupancy permit from the City under the terms of this section.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land uses and parcels inside Butler city limits.

    • Each parcel is assigned to a zoning district.
    • The City zoning code regulates allowable uses and dimensional standards.
    “Zoning regulates land uses within the City. Each parcel in the City is assigned to a zone which describes the regulations under which that land may be used.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present — Land inside Butler city limits.
      “This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the Butler Zoning Ordinance, to the same effect as if the full title were stated.”
    • Present — Land inside Butler city limits.
      “Zoning regulates land uses within the City. Each parcel in the City is assigned to a zone which describes the regulations under which that land may be used.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Butler city limits.

    • District boundaries are defined by the City's official zoning map.
    • The code identifies A-1, R-1 through R-4, C-1 through C-3, and I-1 through I-3 districts.
    “For the purpose of this chapter, the City is divided into 11 districts, as follows:”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Published — Parcels and zoning districts inside Butler city limits.
      “Zoning regulates land uses within the City. Each parcel in the City is assigned to a zone which describes the regulations under which that land may be used. The Zoning Code identifies allowable uses and sets standards such as minimum lot size, maximum building height, and minimum front yard depth. View the zoning map.”
    • Published — Land inside Butler city limits.
      “For the purpose of this chapter, the City is divided into 11 districts, as follows:”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Butler city limits.

    • The City inspector issues the private sewage permit and performs the inspection.
    • The ordinance states that additional requirements may be imposed by the state or county health officer.
    “No statement contained in this division shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer of the state or county.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Private sewage disposal inside Butler city limits: the City code assigns permitting and inspection functions to a City inspector while preserving state and county health-officer requirements.
      “No statement contained in this division shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the health officer of the state or county.”
    • Local (with conditions) — Private sewage disposal systems inside Butler city limits where public sanitary sewer is unavailable.
      “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the inspector. The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary by the inspector.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Butler city limits when a public sanitary sewer is unavailable.

    • Before construction begins, the owner must obtain a written permit signed by the inspector.
    • The application must be made on a City-furnished form and supplemented with plans, specifications, and other information required by the inspector.
    • A permit and inspection fee established by the City Council is due when the application is filed.
    • The system must comply with state Department of Public Health recommendations.
    • No permit may issue for subsurface soil absorption facilities on a lot smaller than 15,000 square feet.
    • Additional state or county health-officer requirements may apply.

    minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption permit: >= 15000 sq. ft. · permit and inspection fee: amount established by City Council USD

    “the owner shall first obtain a written permit”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Private sewage disposal systems used where public sanitary sewer is unavailable inside Butler city limits.
      “§ 24-137 Permit required; application, fee.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems constructed inside Butler city limits.

    • The permit is not effective until installation is completed to the inspector's satisfaction.
    • The inspector may inspect at any stage of construction.
    • The applicant must notify the inspector when the work is ready for final inspection and before underground portions are covered.
    • The inspection must be made within 72 hours after the inspector receives notice.

    inspection deadline after notice: 72 hours

    “ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Private sewage disposal system installations inside Butler city limits.
      “A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the inspector. He shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the inspector when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 72 hours of the receipt of notice by the inspector.”
    • Required — Private sewage disposal systems inside Butler city limits.
      “§ 24-138 Permit effective upon satisfactory inspection; notice for inspection.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal or other off-public-sewer sanitation inside Butler city limits.

    • Allowed only when public sanitary sewer is unavailable.
    • A City permit, inspection, applicable state and county health requirements, and a minimum 15,000-square-foot lot for subsurface soil absorption apply.
    • Private systems must connect to public sewer when it becomes available.

    minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption: >= 15000 square feet

    “No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than 15,000 square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Private sewage disposal inside Butler city limits.
      “Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of Section 24-110, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this division.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Properties and new homes inside Butler city limits where public water or sewer facilities are available.

    • Public water connection is required when access to a public water system is within 100 feet of the property line, within 60 days after official notice.
    • The City sewer code contains a connection-to-public-sewer-when-available rule and abandonment requirement for private systems.
    • A private well may remain only for non-drinking uses if physically disconnected from the public system and maintained under the listed conditions.

    public-water availability distance: <= 100 feet from property line · water connection deadline: 60 days after official notice

    “The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human employment, recreation, residence or other purposes, situated within the City and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located access to a public water system within 100 feet of the property line, is hereby required to connect to such facilities in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 60 days after date of official notice to do so.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Water (with conditions) — Houses, buildings, and properties used for residence or other listed purposes inside Butler city limits when public water access is within 100 feet of the property line.
      “The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human employment, recreation, residence or other purposes, situated within the City and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located access to a public water system within 100 feet of the property line, is hereby required to connect to such facilities in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 60 days after date of official notice to do so.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and platting inside Butler city limits.

    • Where public sanitary sewer is reasonably accessible, the subdivision must provide a complete sanitary sewer system with a lateral connection for each lot.
    • Where sewer is not reasonably accessible, the code provides alternatives involving approved sewer plans, private sewage treatment, or individual disposal devices.
    • Individual disposal devices require lots at least 100 feet wide, average lot area of 20,000 square feet, and no lot less than 15,000 square feet, subject to health-department modification with City Council concurrence.

    minimum lot width for individual disposal devices: >= 100 feet · average lot area for individual disposal devices: >= 20000 square feet · minimum individual lot area for individual disposal devices: >= 15000 square feet

    “Where a public sanitary sewer main is reasonably accessible, the subdivision shall be provided with a complete sanitary sewer system connected with such sewer main, including a lateral connection for each lot.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Plattting of new subdivisions and re-subdivisions inside Butler city limits.
      “regarding platting of new subdivisions and of re-subdivisions in accordance with these subdivision regulations.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway construction inside Butler city limits.

    • The City's Building Inspections & Codes page expressly includes driveways in the list of work requiring building permits.
    • The same official page publishes a Driveway Permit Application.
    “The City of Butler requires building permits for: [...] driveways”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Driveway construction inside Butler city limits.
      “The City of Butler requires building permits for: new construction additions driveways fences roofing carports garages storage building over 120 sq. ft.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building and related permits inside Butler city limits.

    • New-construction fees are based on square footage and structure.
    • Remodeling fees are based on project amount.
    • Plan-review and issuance fees may also be charged.
    • The City page lists a $35 roof permit fee for a new roof or second shingle layer.

    roof permit fee: 35 USD

    “The City requires a permit for adding a second layer of shingles AND replacement (tear-off). The permit fee is $35.00”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — At least the roof-permit fee for work inside Butler city limits.
      “The City requires a permit for installing a new roof or when adding a second layer of shingles and payment of a flat fee of $35.00.”
    • Variable (with conditions) — Building permits and listed construction work inside Butler city limits.
      “There shall be charged and collected from the applicant a fee for each permit in accordance with the fee schedule that is currently adopted by the Butler City Council.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications and inspections inside Butler city limits.

    • The City publishes building, driveway, fence, pool, sign, and demolition application links.
    • Applications are handled through the City Office at 22 W. Ohio Street.
    • Construction permit applications may include plan-review and issuance fees.
    • The City lists the Building Official/Building Inspector as the responsible contact.
    “Building Permit Application Fence Permit Application Residential Pool Permit Application Driveway Permit Application Sign Permit Application Demolition Permit Application Additional Info: Building Inspection Process Permit Fee Schedule”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — Building and related permits inside Butler city limits.
      “Building Permit Application Driveway Permit Application Fence Permit Application Pool Permit Application Sign Permit Application”
    • Partial — Building-permit applications inside Butler city limits.
      “Building Permit Application Driveway Permit Application Fence Permit Application Pool Permit Application Sign Permit Application”

Rules another office applies inside Butler

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

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    A-1 Agricultural Zoning District inside Butler city limits.

    • A preexisting separately owned undersized lot is not barred from erection of a single-family dwelling by this provision.

    minimum lot area per family: >= 2.5 acres (separately owned undersized lot at the time of passage may still support a single-family dwelling) · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet

    “Each dwelling shall provide a lot area of not less than 2 1/2 acres per family, provided that where a lot has less area than herein provided in separate ownership at the time of the passage of this chapter, the regulations shall not prohibit the erection of a single-family dwelling. (3) Lot width. The lot width shall not be less than 150 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    A-1 Agricultural Zoning District inside Butler city limits.

    • The A-1 height rule also limits structures to 2 1/2 stories.

    building or structure height: <= 35 feet maximum (also limited to 2 1/2 stories)

    “Buildings or structures shall not exceed 35 feet and shall not exceed 2 1/2 stories in height.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from Butler city building-permit or contractor-registration requirements.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Butler city limits.
  • Setbacks — Required setbacks in Butler city zoning districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits inside Butler city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy inside Butler city limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Butler publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Bates County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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