Bolthole Index

Clay County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Clay County, Missouri

45Index Score / 100
#113 of 115 in Missouri

Unincorporated Clay County, Missouri requires permits and inspections for almost all construction; ask Planning & Zoning whether your specific project needs one12. County zoning applies outside city limits, while each incorporated city controls planning and zoning within its boundaries34. Clay County Public Health permits and inspects qualifying onsite sewage systems5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for almost all construction in unincorporated Clay County; confirm the specific project1
Building codes
County-adopted building and construction codes apply in unincorporated areas6
Zoning
County zoning outside city limits; municipal rules inside incorporated cities34
Septic permit
Required for installation or major repair under the county rules7
RV during home construction
Prohibited unless Planning & Zoning approves a prohibited-use permit8
Tiny home
No specific occupancy rule confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning about the parcel and design3
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed; ask the Building Division before self-performing work9

Who to call

Building permits

Clay County Building Division (Planning & Zoning Department)

Plan review, building permits, and inspections for new construction, additions, remodeling and demolition in unincorporated Clay County

816-407-3380

234 W. Shrader Suite C, Liberty, MO 64068

Zoning

Clay County Planning & Zoning Department

Zoning and subdivision regulations, the Comprehensive Plan, and application intake for building permits and planning cases in unincorporated Clay County

816-407-3380

[email protected]

234 W. Shrader Suite C, Liberty, MO 64068

Septic permits

Clay County Public Health Center - Environmental Health (Onsite Sewage)

Permits, inspects and approves onsite sewage (septic) systems under 3,000 gallons per day for unincorporated Clay County

816-595-4200

800 Haines Drive, Liberty, MO 64068

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

Yes, for almost all construction in unincorporated Clay County. Planning & Zoning tells applicants to ask whether a particular project requires a permit, and appointments with the Building Inspector are required to discuss projects and plans1. Inspections are also required for almost all construction, with the exact inspection path set by the department for the project2. Clay County has adopted the 2012 family of building and construction codes, including the residential, building, plumbing, mechanical and fire codes, plus the 2011 electrical code, with amendments6. Demolition and building relocation also require a permit10. Missouri's farm-structure protection is narrower than a general building exemption: it prevents county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances from imposing permits on farm buildings, but it does not erase Clay County zoning, building, floodplain or septic requirements11.

Who handles Clay County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Clay County Building Division, within Planning & Zoning, is the first stop for construction in unincorporated Clay County1. Call 816-407-3380 or email [email protected] to ask whether the project needs a permit and to arrange the required discussion with the Building Inspector1. The office is at 234 W. Shrader Suite C, Liberty, Missouri 6406812. All permits must be submitted online13. Payment is not due with the application; building permits are paid after review and notification12. If the parcel is inside an incorporated city, contact that city instead because municipal officials, not Clay County Planning & Zoning, control planning and zoning inside city limits4.

Does Clay County have zoning?

Yes, but the jurisdiction line matters. Clay County Planning & Zoning regulates land use in unincorporated Clay County, while incorporated cities administer planning and zoning within their own boundaries34. The county maintains an official zoning map, and the mapped district boundaries are part of the Land Development Code14. Check the parcel's district before relying on a proposed house, accessory building, business, campground or other use because the rules vary by district14. We could not confirm a single countywide minimum home size, minimum lot size, setback, lot-coverage limit or building-height limit from the available rules. Ask Planning & Zoning for the dimensional standards tied to the parcel's exact district and for any subdivision restrictions before settling on a site plan14.

How do septic permits work in Clay County?

Clay County requires a permit to install or make a major repair to an onsite sewage system governed by county rules7. Submit plans and specifications before permit issuance; an approved permit remains valid for one calendar year, and a new permit is needed if installation has not begun within that period7. Do not cover or backfill any part of the system before the Health Officer approves it, and request the inspection at least 24 hours ahead15. Clay County Public Health's Environmental Health program permits and inspects treatment and disposal systems under 3,000 gallons5. Larger-flow and certain other wastewater systems go to Missouri DNR16. If municipal sewer is available and the Health Officer considers connection reasonable, the property owner must connect rather than rely on off-grid sanitation17. Only about 4% of county soils lack severe limitations for conventional drain fields, so make site evaluation an early contingency18.

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

Clay County prohibits living in an RV, mobile home, accessory building or temporary structure on a home-construction site before, during or after construction unless Planning & Zoning approves a prohibited-use permit8. A hardship exception may allow temporary occupancy for up to 180 days while rebuilding a primary dwelling destroyed by fire or another natural disaster, but it requires a County Commission hearing and approval8. The campground and RV-park rules are not permission to live indefinitely in an RV on a private parcel: regulated park spaces are limited to 30-day rentals and the park must satisfy zoning, acreage, separation, access and sanitation standards19. We could not confirm a general temporary-camping rule or a specific tiny-home occupancy rule. Before buying, give Planning & Zoning the parcel number and explain whether the unit has wheels, a permanent foundation and its own utilities3.

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

  1. Verify whether the parcel is unincorporated and identify its official zoning district; inside city limits, work with the city instead414.
  2. Contact Planning & Zoning to confirm the use and project-specific requirements, then make the required appointment with the Building Inspector1.
  3. Ask Environmental Health for septic site and plan requirements; connect to municipal sewer if it is available and the Health Officer deems connection reasonable717.
  4. If access touches MoDOT right-of-way, obtain the state driveway permit before doing that work20.
  5. Submit the county permit online; payment follows review and notification1312.
  6. Schedule required building inspections and give Environmental Health at least 24 hours' notice before the septic inspection215.
  7. Do not occupy an RV or temporary structure on the construction site without the required Planning & Zoning approval8.

What should you check before buying land in Clay County?

Start with jurisdiction and zoning: confirm whether Clay County or an incorporated city controls the parcel, then obtain the parcel's mapped district and applicable dimensional standards414. Make septic feasibility a contract contingency because only about 4% of Clay County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field18. For an existing septic system, request permit and service records and consider a private licensed inspection; Missouri local health agencies generally no longer inspect existing systems for real-estate transfers21. Confirm whether municipal sewer is available because the Health Officer can require a reasonable connection17. Ask the Building Division about any owner-builder plan because no explicit exemption was confirmed9. For a state-road entrance, verify the MoDOT right-of-way permit before assuming the current access can be built or changed20. Clay County's effective property-tax rate is about 1.1%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $2,8172223.

Watch-outs

  • Living in an RV, mobile home, accessory building or temporary structure on a Clay County home-construction site requires an approved prohibited-use permit8.
  • A Clay County septic permit does not authorize covering the system before inspection; request inspection at least 24 hours ahead15.
  • No owner-builder exemption has been confirmed for unincorporated Clay County; ask the Building Division before assuming self-performed work changes permit or licensing requirements9.

Sources

  1. Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  2. Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  3. Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  4. Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  5. Clay County Public Health Center - Onsite Sewage (2026 county census)
  6. Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  7. Individual Sewage Disposal Rules and Regulations for Clay County, Missouri, quoted and re-checked
  8. Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  9. (2026 county census)
  10. Clay County Building Division (Planning & Zoning Department) (claycountymo.gov)
  11. RSMo Section 64.003 — Farm buildings and farm structures (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Clay County Planning & Zoning Department (claycountymo.gov)
  13. Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  14. Clay County Land Development Code, quoted and re-checked
  15. Individual Sewage Disposal Rules and Regulations for Clay County, Missouri, quoted and re-checked
  16. On-site Septic Systems and Subdivisions (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Individual Sewage Disposal Rules and Regulations for Clay County, Missouri, quoted and re-checked
  18. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Clay County Land Development Code 2003 with amendments, quoted and re-checked
  20. Permits | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Inspections Versus Evaluations (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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

Clay County in Missouri

45
County map
Clay County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Clay County scores

Seclusion17100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency65100% ev.
Admin Boringness4690% ev.
Durability59100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost69100% 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 →

$324kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$6,629Land / acre
39.4"Annual rain
7.5% of yrsSevere drought
15 / yr (+12.2)Mid-century 100°F days
19 daysMid-century dry spell
2.22" (+6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.69×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,257Home insurance / yr
4.1% / yrInsurance growth
1.19%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
351,559People within 30 min
3,153,662People within 2 hr
195,703Radius comparison (15 mi)
653.2People / sq mi
4.9%Federal land
94.4%Land at 15% slope or less
4.1%Septic soil without severe limits
9,920 acWorkable land screen
33.7%Wooded land
57.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
54.5°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Clay County

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

Clay County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction projects in unincorporated Clay County.

    • The county requires permits for almost all types of construction, but directs applicants to contact the department to determine whether a specific project requires a permit.
    • Appointments with the Building Inspector are required to discuss projects/building plans.
    • All permits shall be submitted online.
    • Incorporated cities administer their own planning and zoning matters.
    “The Clay County Planning and Zoning Department requires permits and inspections for almost all types of construction. Please contact us at 816-407-3380 or Email Planning and Zoning Department ([email protected]) to find out if a specific project requires a permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Clay County building and construction codes for unincorporated areas.

    • The adopted family includes the 2012 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFC, and 2011 NEC, with amendments.
    • The county states the codes went into effect January 1, 2013.
    “The Clay County Commission approved the adoption of the 2012 family of building and construction codes with amendments by way of Ordinance Number 2012-ORD-24 (PDF). The new 2012 codes went into effect on January 1, 2013, and included the following:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction projects in unincorporated Clay County.

    • The county requires inspections for almost all types of construction.
    • The department should be contacted to determine project-specific requirements.
    • Incorporated cities administer their own planning and zoning matters.
    “The Clay County Planning and Zoning Department requires permits and inspections for almost all types of construction.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning and land-development regulation in unincorporated Clay County.

    • The county's home-rule planning and zoning jurisdiction is limited to unincorporated areas; incorporated cities control planning and zoning within their city boundaries.
    • Development must follow applicable review, approval, permit, and authorization requirements.
    “The Clay County Planning and Zoning Department has home rule jurisdiction or control over only the unincorporated areas of the County, or those areas outside of city limits.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate county result for local zoning: county zoning applies in unincorporated areas, while incorporated municipalities administer zoning within their boundaries.

    • This is an aggregate result and does not claim that Clay County administers municipal ordinances.
    • Incorporated cities must be contacted for planning and zoning matters inside city limits.
    “If you live within an incorporated city, you will need to contact your city regarding any planning and zoning matters as only they have control inside their city boundaries.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Official county zoning districts and zoning map for unincorporated Clay County.

    • The official zoning map is maintained by the Planning and Zoning Director.
    • The Land Development Code states that the map, legends, symbols, notations, references, and district boundaries are part of the code.
    • Zoning classifications can vary by district and parcel.
    “The boundaries of the zoning districts established by this Land Development Code are shown on a map or series of maps designated as the official “Zoning Map,” which together with all legends, symbols, notations, references, district boundaries, and other information thereon, is adopted and made a part of this Land Development Code as fully as if it were set out herein in detail.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles at campgrounds or recreational vehicle parks regulated by the Clay County Land Development Code in unincorporated Clay County.

    • Campgrounds must be at least 10 acres.
    • A Conditional Use Permit is required on AG-zoned land; campgrounds are permitted in C-2, C-3, and OP zoning districts.
    • All portions must be at least one-quarter mile from any residential zoning district.
    • Driveways must be at least 24 feet wide, dust-free, and capable of supporting recreational vehicles; dead-end roads and driveways require an adequate turnaround.
    • A County Health Department-approved sewage disposal dumping system and adequate public toilets are required.
    • Water loading, trash containers, recreational-vehicle space surfacing, road access, and public-use-area standards apply.
    • There may be no more than 12 campground sites per gross acre.
    • Space rentals are limited to 30 days maximum.

    minimum campground area: >= 10 acres · minimum separation from residential zoning district: >= 1/4 mile · minimum driveway width: >= 24 feet · maximum campground density: <= 12 sites per gross acre · maximum space rental: <= 30 days

    “The following standards shall apply to campgrounds, including recreational vehicle parks. [...] Space rentals are limited to 30 days maximum.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Living in an RV on a home construction site in unincorporated Clay County.
      “Please be aware that County regulations prohibit anyone from living in an RV, mobile home, accessory building, or temporary structure on the home construction site prior to, during, or after home construction unless approved for a prohibited use permit by the Planning and Zoning Department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or major repair of onsite sewage disposal systems within the county rules.

    • A permit is required to install or affect major repair of an onsite sewage disposal system.
    • The permit is valid for one calendar year from issuance; if installation has not started within one year, a new permit is required.
    • Plans and specifications are required before permit issuance.
    • Permit transfers may be accepted case-by-case with prior Health Officer approval.
    • The quoted rules are effective January 1, 2018.

    permit validity: 1 calendar year (A new permit is required if installation has not started within one year.)

    “A permit to install or affect major repair of an onsite sewage disposal system, once approved, shall be valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance. If the installation has not started within one year, property owner is responsible for applying for a new permit before installation or modification occurs.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems under the Clay County rules.

    • No part of a system may be covered or backfilled until inspected and approved by the Health Officer.
    • The Health Officer may allow covering or backfilling for unexpected weather or another approved reason agreed upon beforehand.
    • At least 24 hours' notice is required by phone, email, or in person.
    • Failure to notify may require uncovering, permit suspension or revocation, and a report to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

    inspection notice: >= 24 hours

    “No part of any system may be covered or backfilled until inspected and approved by the Health Officer, unless granted permission to do so by the Health Officer and/or his or her designee in the event of unexpected weather conditions or other approved reason agreed upon prior to covering or backfilling. A minimum of twenty-four (24) hours’ notice, by phone, email, or in-person with the Environmental Health Specialist to conduct the inspection, is required when requesting an inspection.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation using onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems.

    • Systems under 3,000 gallons are subject to county permitting and inspection.
    • Municipal sewer connection is required when available and deemed reasonable by the Health Officer.
    • Commercial or industrial facilities and subdivision developers must first contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

    daily system capacity: < 3000 gallons

    “The property owner must connect to municipal sewer if available and deemed reasonable by the Health Officer.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties governed by Clay County onsite sewage regulations.

    • The property owner must connect to municipal sewer if available and deemed reasonable by the Health Officer.
    • This rule appears in the county onsite sewage regulations and concerns properties otherwise using onsite sewage systems.
    “The property owner must connect to municipal sewer if available and deemed reasonable by the Health Officer.”
  • Permit processPartial

    County building-permit application process in unincorporated Clay County.

    • Applicants should contact Planning and Zoning to determine whether a specific project requires a permit.
    • Appointments with the Building Inspector are required to discuss projects/building plans.
    • All permits shall be submitted online.
    • Payment follows review and notification; no payment is due when applying.
    “Appointments must be made with the Building Inspector to discuss projects/building plans; All permits shall be submitted online”

Missouri rules that apply here

  • Who permits septicMixed

    Missouri wastewater treatment systems, including domestic onsite systems, larger-flow systems, direct discharges, lagoons, subdivisions, and industrial wastewater.

    • DNR regulates direct point-discharge or surface-land-application systems, non-individual lagoons, facilities exceeding 3,000 gallons per day, and industrial process waste.
    • DHSS or a local agency, typically the county health department, regulates single-family subsurface onsite systems, individual single-family lagoons, and qualifying systems at or below 3,000 gallons per day.
    • Local agencies may administer qualifying systems under local authority or ordinance.

    domestic wastewater flow threshold: <= 3000 gallons per day (DNR regulates facilities with domestic wastewater flow greater than 3,000 gallons per day)

    “In Missouri, different state and local agencies are responsible for regulating wastewater treatment systems.”
  • 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.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction or modification of driveways within MoDOT right-of-way statewide.

    • A permit is required for construction of driveways and modifications to existing driveways on MoDOT right-of-way.
    • An initial online request must be submitted for each planned listed activity.
    • Engineered plans, traffic studies, hydraulic analysis, traffic-control plans, surety deposits, or performance bonds may be required depending on the work.
    • The rule does not establish a permit requirement for driveways outside MoDOT right-of-way.
    “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.”
  • 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.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Whether an owner who performs their own construction work in unincorporated Clay County may obtain a permit without a contractor license or otherwise receive an owner-builder exemption.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for buildings in unincorporated Clay County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Clay County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum zoning lot size in unincorporated Clay County.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks under county zoning in unincorporated Clay County.
8 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Clay County, Missouri

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

Clay County scores 45/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and workable self-sufficiency basics (39.4″/yr rainfall). Watch-outs: about 351,559 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Clay County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Clay County Public Health Center - Environmental Health (Onsite Sewage 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 Clay County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Clay County is limited to specific cases: Living in an RV on a home construction site in unincorporated Clay County. County regulations prohibit living in an RV on the home construction site prior to, during, or after home construction unless approved for a prohibited use permit. After destruction of a primary dwelling by fire or other natural disaster, the County Commission may grant a temporary permit for up to 180 days during reconstruction after a hardship hearing. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Clay County, Missouri?

Land in Clay County runs about $6,629 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Clay County?

Clay County gets about 39.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 7.5% of years.

How remote is Clay County?

A representative private-land location has about 351,559 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,153,662 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 Clay County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Clay compares in Missouri

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