Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Whitewater, Missouri

Rules another office applies inside Town of Whitewater

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

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner installation, modification, or repair of an individual on-site sewage treatment system for the owner's own residence and property inside Whitewater town limits.

  • This is an exemption from the county on-site sewage installer's-license requirement, not an exemption from the on-site sewage permit requirement.
  • The exemption does not apply to builders owning several parcels and building structures for sale, rent, or lease rather than for residence.
  • The county ordinance applies to properties needing on-site wastewater systems generating 3,000 gallons or less daily, except where Missouri Department of Natural Resources has precedence.

  “A Property owner constructing, modifying, or repairing an individual sewage treatment system for his or her own residence upon his or her own property shall not be required to have an installer's license.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater systems inside Whitewater town limits.

  • Applies to properties generating 3,000 gallons or less of wastewater each day.
  • Missouri Department of Natural Resources may have precedence.

  “Agency: Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center Authority Type: Ordinance”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, modification, or repair of an on-site sewage system inside Whitewater town limits.

  • The rule applies to county on-site wastewater systems generating 3,000 gallons or less daily, except where Missouri Department of Natural Resources has precedence.
  • The permit requirement may be waived by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center for procedures deemed minor repairs or modifications.
  • Before construction activity for buildings where people will live, work, or assemble, the property owner or agent must obtain the permit.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, company, corporation, or other business entity to knowingly construct, modify or repair an on-site sewage system within Cape Girardeau County unless that person holds a valid on-site sewage permit issued by the CGCoPHC.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Installation of on-site sewage systems inside Whitewater town limits.

  • Notification of installation must be given to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center before installation begins.
  • Final and partial inspections may be required for approval; final inspection is discretionary.
  • The county ordinance applies to properties needing on-site wastewater systems generating 3,000 gallons or less daily, except where Missouri Department of Natural Resources has precedence.

  “It is required that Notification of installation be given to CGCoPHC PRIOR to beginning the installation of an on site sewage disposal system. Final inspections may or may not be required and will be at the discretion of CGCoPHC. Final and/or partial inspections of the installation may be required for approval of the system.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sanitation for properties inside Whitewater town limits.

  • The rule applies to properties requiring on-site wastewater systems that generate 3,000 gallons or less daily, except where Missouri Department of Natural Resources has precedence.
  • Properties where people live, work, or assemble must have indoor and/or approved toilet facilities and sanitary waste disposal.
  • On-site system construction, repair, or modification requires a permit unless a stated waiver applies.

  “Any property where people live, work or assemble shall be equipped with indoor and/or approved toilet facilities and shall provide for sanitary disposal of all waste.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  On-site sewage construction permits inside Whitewater town limits.

  • The fee is non-refundable.
  • The permit expires one year from the application date.
  • The county ordinance applies to systems generating 3,000 gallons or less daily, except where Missouri Department of Natural Resources has precedence.

  on-site sewage permit fee: 125 USD (Non-refundable; paid to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center by cash or money order.)

  “Step 1: Permit Fee - $125.00 Permit fee is paid to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, in the form of cash or money order, and is non-refundable. Permit expires one year from the date of application.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  On-site sewage construction or repair permits inside Whitewater town limits.

  • A soil morphology report or perc test must accompany the construction application.
  • The completed paperwork must be submitted before a site visit and at least 24 hours early for review.
  • Construction cannot start until the construction permit is issued.
  • The county ordinance applies to systems generating 3,000 gallons or less daily, except where Missouri Department of Natural Resources has precedence.

  minimum review time before site visit: >= 24 hours

  “Return the completed application together with a Soil Morphology Report or Perc Test to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. The completed paperwork shall be submitted before a site visit is scheduled and in adequate time (minimum 24 hours) to allow the Environmental Public Health Specialist an opportunity to review.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Whitewater or Cape Girardeau County directly.

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Whitewater town limits.
• Building code adopted — Buildings inside Whitewater town limits.
• Inspections — Building construction inside Whitewater town limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Whitewater town limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Whitewater town 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.