Bolthole Index

Daviess County, Missouri

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

74Index Score / 100
#35 of 115 in Missouri

Unincorporated Daviess County, Missouri generally does not require a county building permit for a home, but parcel-specific township, city or Lake Viking rules may still apply12. The county has no comprehensive zoning or ordinances of its own3. Most septic installations and repairs require approval through the Daviess County Health Department45.

At a glance

Building permit
Generally not required by the county in unincorporated Daviess County1
Zoning
No comprehensive county zoning; township, city and Lake Viking rules may apply32
Septic permits
Most installations and repairs require approval through the County Health Department45
RV living
Not confirmed countywide; ask the local authority for the parcel2
Tiny homes
No countywide occupancy rule confirmed; local rules depend on the parcel2
Septic soils
0% of mapped soils are rated free of severe conventional drain-field limits6
Private wells
Owners may install their own well or pump without a permit under the cited rules7

Who to call

Septic permits

Daviess County Health Department

Local contact for onsite wastewater permitting and environmental health questions

660-663-2414

609A South Main Street, Gallatin, MO 64640-1447

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

An ordinary home in unincorporated Daviess County generally does not need a county building permit1. Missouri's county construction statute grants building-regulation and permit authority to counties of the first and second classification, subject to additional conditions8. That answer is about county review, not every approval a project might need. A parcel can still face a township, municipal, Lake Viking, septic, floodplain or highway-access requirement25910. The available official material does not confirm county residential inspections, certificates of occupancy or a special owner-builder exemption, so ask the County Commission and the relevant local authority before relying on their absence.

Who issues permits in Daviess County, and how do you reach them?

Daviess County does not list a general county building department for the residential permit described above1. The practical permit office for a rural home site is often the Daviess County Health Department, which Missouri lists as the county's contract onsite-wastewater authority4. The Health Department is at 609A South Main Street, Gallatin, MO 64640-1447, and its phone number is 660-663-241411. For zoning, setbacks, RV use and dwelling type, contact the township board responsible for the parcel; inside a city or at Lake Viking, contact that local authority instead2. We could not confirm a dedicated county floodplain administrator, so begin with the County Commission when a parcel touches a mapped flood hazard area.

Does Daviess County have zoning?

Daviess County has no comprehensive county zoning or ordinances, according to the County Commission3. That does not make every parcel unrestricted. The county says township boards are responsible for zoning regulations, while cities and Lake Viking maintain their own rules2. The available official sources do not identify which townships have a written ordinance or establish countywide answers for minimum home size, minimum lot size, setbacks, building height, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings. Before buying, get the parcel's jurisdiction in writing and ask that authority for its current ordinance and map. Farm structures receive a separate state protection: county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances may not impose permits on their erection, maintenance, repair, alteration or extension12. That protection does not answer local floodplain, wastewater or road-access requirements.

How do septic permits work in Daviess County?

The Daviess County Health Department is Missouri's listed contract permitting authority for onsite wastewater in the county, with a possible state-handled exception in some incorporated areas4. A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most systems, although some single-family residential lots may qualify for an exemption; residential property under 3 acres requires a permit under the state baseline, and the local authority must confirm whether any exemption applies5. Do not begin work until the Health Department issues the permit or confirms an exemption13. Site evaluation matters because 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field6. Application fees for construction, modification and repair are temporarily suspended effective August 28, 2026, after removal of the former $90 fee14. A resale inspection is not required by the state baseline, but a buyer or lender can request one and local rules can be stricter15.

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

We could not confirm a countywide rule for living in an RV, occupying a tiny home, placing a manufactured home or camping temporarily on private land in Daviess County. The County Commission's statement that the county lacks comprehensive zoning does not settle those uses because township boards handle zoning regulations and cities and Lake Viking have separate rules32. Ask the township board responsible for the parcel—or the city or Lake Viking authority when applicable—whether residential occupancy, utility connections, setbacks or time limits apply. A tiny home still needs a lawful wastewater solution: most new or repaired onsite systems require a permit, and wastewater may not be discharged onto the ground or into a road ditch516.

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

  1. Identify whether the parcel falls under a township, city or Lake Viking authority, then request its current zoning and dimensional rules2.
  1. Call the Daviess County Health Department before finalizing a house site, because most onsite wastewater installations require a permit and the office must confirm any exemption45.
  1. Complete the required soil and system planning; 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe conventional drain-field limits6.
  1. Check the flood map and ask the County Commission who administers the local process if the site is in a floodplain; all floodplain development requires some type of permit9.
  1. Obtain a MoDOT permit before constructing or modifying a driveway in state right-of-way10.
  1. Confirm that no parcel-specific local approval remains, then proceed without a general county residential building permit in unincorporated Daviess County1.

What should you check before buying land in Daviess County?

Start with wastewater feasibility: 0% of mapped Daviess County soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make a site evaluation part of the purchase contingency6. Confirm the governing township, city or Lake Viking authority and obtain its current rules before assuming an RV, tiny home, setback or lot split is allowed2. Check mapped flood hazards because development in a floodplain requires a permit9. For road access, a new or modified driveway in MoDOT right-of-way requires a state permit10. A landowner may install the landowner's own well or pump without a permit under the cited Missouri well rules, but broader construction and connection requirements should be confirmed with Missouri DNR717. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.7%, and the median annual tax bill is about $1,0571819.

Watch-outs

  • No comprehensive county zoning does not mean every Daviess County parcel is unrestricted; township, city or Lake Viking rules may control the use32.
  • Because 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe conventional septic limits, make wastewater feasibility a purchase contingency6.
  • The statewide septic-fee suspension took effect August 28, 2026, so ask the Health Department whether new fee standards have taken effect before applying14.

Sources

  1. Daviess County, MO - Officials (2026 county census)
  2. Minutes of the Daviess County Commission, October 2, 2024, quoted and re-checked
  3. Minutes of the Daviess County Commission, October 2, 2024, quoted and re-checked
  4. OWTS Construction Permit Process — Daviess County listing, quoted and re-checked
  5. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  6. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  7. Water Wells - PUB2945, quoted and re-checked
  8. RSMo § 64.170 — County commissions control construction and issue building permits (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Floodplain Forms, quoted and re-checked
  10. Permits | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Daviess County Health Department (daviesshealthonline.com)
  12. RSMo Section 64.003 — Farm buildings and farm structures (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  14. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  15. Frequently Asked Questions — inspections, quoted and re-checked
  16. Frequently Asked Questions (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Water Wells - PUB2945, quoted and re-checked
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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

Daviess County in Missouri

74
County map
Daviess County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Daviess County scores

Seclusion67100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness8390% ev.
Durability47100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost77100% 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 →

$297kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$4,517Land / acre
39.2"Annual rain
8.1% of yrsSevere drought
10.9 / yr (+9.2)Mid-century 100°F days
18.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.05" (+9.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.76×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,022Home insurance / yr
2.8% / yrInsurance growth
1.77%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
10,279People within 30 min
2,660,132People within 2 hr
12,066Radius comparison (15 mi)
15.2People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
94.5%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
0 acWorkable land screen
22.8%Wooded land
59.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
52.8°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Daviess County

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

Daviess County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent (with conditions)

    County-level comprehensive zoning and ordinances in Daviess County, including the county's unincorporated territory.

    • The Daviess County Commission statement does not address separate rules adopted by cities, Lake Viking, or other local authorities.
    • The statement does not resolve whether any township has adopted a written zoning ordinance.
    “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Daviess County's municipalities, Lake Viking, and 15 townships; the county itself does not administer each local rule.

    • The County Commission states that each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.
    • The county homepage states that township boards are responsible for zoning regulations.
    • The sources do not identify which of the 15 townships maintain written zoning ordinances or specify their contents.
    “Townships are operated by board members who are responsible for setting tax levies, maintaining roads and culverts under 36 inches, and zoning regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Local zoning regulation across Daviess County, aggregated across the county's townships and incorporated cities; the county itself is not claimed to administer each local ordinance.
      “The Commission informed him the County does not have comprehensive zoning or ordinances, but each city and the lake have their own rules and regulations.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Onsite wastewater permitting in Daviess County, including unincorporated areas unless an incorporated municipality is subject to the stated exception.

    • The Missouri DHSS listing identifies Daviess County Health Department as the contract permitting authority.
    • Some incorporated Missouri cities may not fall under the local permitting authority; in those areas the local authority defers the permit process back to DHSS.
    “Agency: Daviess County Health Dept. Authority Type: Contract”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or repair of most onsite wastewater treatment systems in Daviess County.

    • A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most OWTS.
    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.
    • The FAQ states that residential property less than three acres requires a permit, that the exemption does not apply in some counties, and that all other non-residential OWTS require a permit regardless of property size.
    • Work should not begin until a permit is issued or an exemption is confirmed by the appropriate permitting authority.
    • The Daviess County Health Department is the listed contract authority; incorporated-area exceptions may defer permitting to DHSS.

    residential property size threshold: < 3 acres (The exemption does not apply in some counties; check with the county authority.)

    “A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Some single family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.”
  • Building permitNot required

    Daviess County is a township-form, non-charter rural county; its official officials/offices listing shows no building department or inspector, and Missouri non-charter rural counties generally lack authority to require residential building permits in unincorporated areas. Corroborated by the state County Building Codes dataset (data.mo.gov iq7s-izvt, 2021): no county residential building code adopted.

    Daviess County, MO - Officials ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

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”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping at Gallatin Conservation Area in Daviess County, Missouri, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

    • Camping at Gallatin Conservation Area is allowed only as designated in the area's Things To Do When You Visit section; the page lists individual campsites.
    • Camping is limited to fourteen (14) consecutive days in any thirty (30)-day period, beginning when the site is occupied or camping in the department area first occurs.
    • Personal property must be removed at the end of the fourteen-day period.
    • Total camping days on all department areas are limited to thirty (30) days within one calendar year, unless a special use permit is obtained; requests exceeding thirty days in a calendar year may be granted with a special use permit.
    • On areas with established campsites, no more than two camping or sleeping units are permitted per site.
    • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily; visitors not occupying a campsite must leave the campground by 10:00 p.m.
    • Quiet hours prohibit excessive noise from people or mechanical devices that disturbs other campers.
    • Campfires are allowed only in designated camping areas or by special use permit.
    • Groups of more than ten people must obtain a special use permit before camping.
    • Special use permits for Gallatin Conservation Area should be requested at least thirty days in advance.
    • Area signs, posted regulations, the conservation atlas, or area maps may further restrict camping. Federal, state, and local laws also apply on department lands.

    maximum consecutive stay: 14 days (in any 30-day period) · annual camping limit: 30 days per calendar year (camping requests exceeding 30 days may be granted with a special use permit) · maximum camping or sleeping units per established campsite: 2 units (Thomas Hill Reservoir has a separate limit of 1 unit and 6 people per campsite) · quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. · group special use permit threshold: > 10 people (permit required prior to camping) · special use permit request lead time: >= 30 days (MDC page says permits should be requested at least 30 days in advance)

    “Camping is allowed only as designated [...] for this department area. [...] camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Inspection or evaluation of existing onsite wastewater systems in Missouri, including Daviess County.

    • For the most part, local public health agencies no longer inspect existing systems related to real estate transfer.
    • A licensed inspector may be obtained to check the system condition.
    • When applying for a home loan, the lender determines which type of assessment is required, if any.
    • State regulations do not require systems to be brought up to current standards as a result of an inspection or evaluation to be sold.
    • Local standards may be more stringent than the state regulation.
    • If repairs are planned, the local administrative authority must be contacted regarding permit requirements before construction or major repair.
    “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.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Inspection or evaluation of an onsite wastewater system before a Missouri real-estate transaction, as the statewide baseline relevant to Daviess County.
      “No. However, if a lender or buyer requests an inspection/evaluation, it must be conducted by a licensed individual.”
    • Not required — Inspection or evaluation of an onsite wastewater system before a Missouri real-estate transaction.
      “No. However, if a lender or buyer requests an inspection/evaluation, it must be conducted by a licensed individual. Some counties may require an onsite system inspection/evaluation for every real estate transaction. Check with the local permitting authority.”
    • Limited — Inspection or evaluation of existing onsite wastewater systems in connection with Missouri real-estate transfers.
      “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.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-well construction or repair in Daviess County under Missouri statewide well-construction rules.

    • A non-restricted water-well installation permit is required to construct or repair a water well in Missouri.
    • A non-restricted pump-installation permit is required to install or replace a pump, and also for plumbing and electrical lines from the well to the structure.
    • A restricted water-well or pump-installation permit is required for someone contracting these activities or directing the installation.
    • Landowners may install their own well or pump without a permit under the cited law and rules.
    • The source states that construction requirements vary by well category and location.
    “Landowners may install their own well or pump without a permit pursuant to the above mentioned law and rules.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — A landowner installing the landowner's own water well or pump in Daviess County.
      “Landowners may install their own well or pump without a permit pursuant to the above mentioned law and rules.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for agricultural purposes in unincorporated portions of Missouri second- or third-class counties subject to RSMo sections 64.510 to 64.690.

    • The statutory exemption in RSMo 64.620 applies to the county zoning powers described in that section.
    • The property must be in an unincorporated portion of a second- or third-class county.
    • The county zoning authority must have been approved by voters as provided in RSMo 64.530.
    • The farm building or farm structure must be used for the stated agricultural purpose.
    • The exemption from this section applies only where the area is not within the area shown on the flood hazard area map.
    • Incorporated portions of counties are excluded.
    • Separately, RSMo 64.003, effective August 28, 2025, prohibits county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances from imposing regulations or requiring permits for farm buildings or farm structures.
    “This section shall not apply to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for such purposes [...]”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures as against county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances.
      “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in a floodplain in Daviess County, including development subject to a community floodplain-management process.
      “This sample Floodplain Development Permit was developed by the State and can be used “as is” or modified to fit the community’s permit process. Regardless, some type of permit MUST be issued for ALL development in the floodplain.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Application fees for on-site sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs, including systems serving property in Daviess County.
      “Effective August 28, 2026, due to changes to RSMo 701.046, the application fees associated with on-site sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs will be temporarily suspended. 701.046 was changed to take out the $90 permit fee and authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services to set reasonable fees—effectively placing current fees on hold until the new standards take effect.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater treatment system construction, modification, or repair in Daviess County, subject to the applicable permitting authority.

    • A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems.
    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.
    • The first step is determining which agency has permitting authority where the work occurs.
    • Permitting may be handled by the DHSS Onsite Program, a local authority under contract, or a local authority via ordinance.
    • The application process varies by permitting authority.
    • Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption has been confirmed.
    • Lagoons serving anything other than a single-family residence fall under the Department of Natural Resources.
    • DHSS covers single-family residential systems and onsite or cluster systems treating domestic wastewater flows of 3,000 gallons per day or less and dispersing wastewater through soil treatment or absorption systems.
    • DNR regulates other listed wastewater systems, including systems discharging to surface waters, systems over 3,000 gallons per day, and industrial wastewater systems.
    • DNR must approve subdivisions, mobile home parks, and campgrounds if OWTS use is planned.

    domestic wastewater flow threshold: <= 3000 gallons per day (Applies to DHSS-covered onsite or cluster systems dispersing wastewater through soil treatment or absorption systems.)

    “A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Some single family residential lots may be exempt from permitting. The first step of the permitting process is to determine the agency that has permitting authority where the work is being done. [...] DHSS OWTS permitting falls under one of three authority types: DHSS Onsite Program, Local Authority (contract), or Local Authority via Ordinance. The application process varies by permitting authority. Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption to permitting has been confirmed by the appropriate permitting authority.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Permit applications for work on Missouri Department of Transportation right-of-way statewide.
      “Contact the Traffic Specialist a minimum of 48 hours prior to beginning work and for all necessary inspections.”
  • 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 — Possible owner-builder exemptions from residential building-permit or inspection requirements in Daviess County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction in Daviess County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for residential buildings in Daviess County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts published or administered within Daviess County, Missouri.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential construction in unincorporated Daviess County.
11 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Daviess County, Missouri

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

Daviess County scores 74/100 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 Daviess County, Missouri?

Daviess 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 Daviess County Health Department (under Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater 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.

How much does land cost in Daviess County, Missouri?

Land in Daviess County runs about $4,517 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Daviess County?

Daviess County gets about 39.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.1% of years.

How remote is Daviess County?

A representative private-land location has about 10,279 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,660,132 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 Daviess County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Daviess compares in Missouri

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