Bolthole Index

Franklin County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and land rules in New Haven, Missouri

New Haven, Missouri requires a city building permit to build, enlarge or alter a structure, subject to exemptions; the city Building Inspector issues the permit.1 New Haven sets its own zoning, and lots in its single-family residential districts must use public water and public sewer.2 For land in Franklin County outside city limits, use the county rules; we could not confirm who authorizes private sewage disposal inside New Haven, so ask City Hall and the Missouri Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program.34

At a glance

Building permits
City Building Inspector issues construction permits, subject to exemptions1
Zoning
City district rules govern lot dimensions and building size56
Water and sewer
Public water and public sewer required for lots in the single-family residential districts2
Minimum home size
R-1a detached homes: 1,200 square feet of above-grade livable floor space, excluding garage space and area over open porches7
Temporary housing
Residential occupancy of temporary structures is prohibited except where the zoning chapter specifically permits or requires it8
Agricultural buildings
Agricultural/storage-only pole structures have a foundation exception; this is not a general building-permit exemption9

Who to call

Building permits

New Haven Building Inspector

City construction permit applications and plans

Zoning

New Haven Zoning Administrative Officer

City zoning administration and verification of allowed district uses

Also useful

New Haven City Hall / City Clerk

City contact for routing building, zoning and utility questions

573-500-2530

Septic permits

Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program

State program contact to identify the applicable onsite wastewater permitting authority

573-751-6095

[email protected]

PO Box 570 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in New Haven, MO?

New Haven requires a city construction permit before a wall, structure or building is built, enlarged or altered, subject to the exemptions in the city permit ordinance.1 The New Haven Building Inspector receives the proposed plans and materials statement and issues the building permit.1 New Haven has adopted the 2015 International Building Code and the 2015 International Residential Code for the residential buildings within its scope.1011 Ask the Building Inspector which exemption, if any, applies to your exact work before ordering materials.1 New Haven’s agricultural/storage-only exception for pole-type structures concerns foundations; it does not establish a general agricultural building-permit exemption.9

Who handles building applications in New Haven?

Start a New Haven construction application with the city Building Inspector, who receives the written plans and materials statement under the city permit ordinance.1 The city requires a plot plan locating both the proposed building and every existing building on the property.1 Call New Haven City Hall at 573-500-2530 to reach the appropriate city contact for building, zoning and utility questions.3 Keep the address jurisdiction explicit: the Franklin County Building Department’s construction-permit role is for unincorporated Franklin County, rather than the city construction application described here.121 For a parcel outside New Haven city limits, read the Franklin County guide before choosing the building office.12

Does New Haven have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

New Haven’s zoning rules depend on the parcel’s district: A-1 General Agricultural lots have a minimum lot size and minimum lot area per family of 1 acre.13 New Haven’s A-1 minimum yards are 35 feet front, 20 feet side and 35 feet rear.14 In New Haven’s R-1a Single-Family Residential District, the minimum lot size and minimum lot area per family are 10,000 square feet, with yards of 25 feet front, 6 feet side and 25 feet rear.56 Main and accessory buildings in R-1a may cover no more than 30% of the lot.15 Ask the city to identify the parcel’s district before drawing the building footprint; the agricultural dimensions cannot be substituted for the residential dimensions.135 New Haven’s Zoning Administrative Officer verifies whether a use is allowed in its district; contact City Hall to reach that office.163

How do sewer and septic approvals work inside New Haven?

Every lot in New Haven’s R-1 single-family residential districts must be served by public water and public sewer, so a private well and septic plan cannot simply replace those required services.2 We could not confirm the private sewage disposal permitting authority inside New Haven; ask City Hall and the Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program to identify the office responsible for the address.34 Missouri requires a construction permit before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater systems, with some single-family lots potentially exempt; do not start work until the responsible authority issues the septic permit or confirms an exemption.17 Missouri’s DHSS application fees are temporarily suspended effective August 28, 2026, but local authorities may have different processes, so ask the assigned office about local septic fees.18

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in New Haven?

New Haven prohibits residential occupancy of temporary structures, including trailers and mobile or manufactured structures, except as specifically permitted or required by the city zoning chapter.8 That restriction does not resolve every RV proposal: we could not confirm an express long-term RV occupancy rule, so ask the city how the proposed vehicle and use would be classified.8 A New Haven R-1a detached dwelling must provide at least 1,200 square feet of livable floor space completely above grade, excluding garage space and area over open porches; that minimum matters for a small-home design.7 A camp in New Haven’s A-1 district needs Planning and Zoning Commission review and approval, which is not blanket authorization to live in an RV on any city lot.19

What are the steps before building a home in New Haven?

  1. Ask the city to identify the zoning district and compare the proposed lot and building footprint with that district’s minimum lot size and yards.56
  2. Confirm public water and sewer service for a lot in New Haven’s single-family residential districts before designing an off-grid utility system.2
  3. Submit the written construction plans and materials statement to the New Haven Building Inspector, including the plot plan showing proposed and existing buildings.1
  4. For a site with potential floodplain exposure, ask City Hall who administers the city floodplain approval; Missouri requires a permit for all floodplain development, and regulatory-floodway development requires an engineering No-Rise Certificate before approval.320
  5. Before planning residential occupancy, ask the Building Inspector about required inspections and occupancy authorization; we could not confirm New Haven’s operative residential certificate-of-occupancy requirement.1

Watch-outs

  • Do not use Franklin County’s agricultural-structure exemption as an owner-builder exemption for a New Haven home: the county exemption applies to exclusively agricultural structures in unincorporated Franklin County.21
  • Public water and sewer are required for New Haven’s single-family residential district lots; confirm service before budgeting for a private well or septic system.2
  • New Haven’s R-1a, R-1b and R-1c rules require a special-use permit for bed-and-breakfast homes, vacation homes and rooming houses.22

Sources

  1. New Haven Building Inspector (ecode360.com)
  2. Article V: Use Regulations By Zoning District - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  3. New Haven City Hall / City Clerk (files.frontdeskgworks.com)
  4. Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (health.mo.gov)
  5. Article VI: Zoning District Dimensional Requirements - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article VI: Zoning District Dimensional Requirements - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article V: Use Regulations By Zoning District - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article VII: Supplemental Regulations - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 500: Building Code Regulations - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 500: Building Code Regulations - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 500: Building Code Regulations - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building, quoted and re-checked
  13. Article VI: Zoning District Dimensional Requirements - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article VI: Zoning District Dimensional Requirements - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article V: Use Regulations By Zoning District - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  16. New Haven Zoning Administrative Officer (ecode360.com)
  17. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Article V: Use Regulations By Zoning District - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked
  20. Floodplain Forms (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Amendments to the 2021 Residential One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code, quoted and re-checked
  22. Article V: Use Regulations By Zoning District - City of New Haven, MO (New Haven), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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 New Haven

New Haven’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Detached one- and two-family dwellings and qualifying townhouses inside New Haven city limits.

    • The adopted Residential Code is the 2015 Edition.
    • The adopted scope covers detached one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family dwellings not more than three stories with separate means of egress.
    • The code copy is on file in the City Clerk's office.

    residential code edition: International Residential Code, 2015 Edition · maximum townhouse height: <= 3 stories (must have separate means of egress)

    “A certain document, being marked and designated as the "International Residential Code, 2015 Edition," including Appendices A, B, C, D, E, G, I, J, M, and N [...] be and is hereby adopted as the Residential Code of the City of New Haven”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted — Building regulation inside New Haven city limits.
      “A certain document, being marked and designated as the "International Building Code, 2015 Edition," as published by the International Code Council [...] be and is hereby adopted as the Building Code of the City of New Haven”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Structures in disaster-affected areas inside New Haven city limits, and structures presenting imminent danger due to an unsafe condition.

    • The building official may enter and inspect structures within affected areas after disasters, subject to constitutional restrictions on unreasonable searches and seizures.
    • If inspection determines a structure is unfit, the building official must declare it a public nuisance, prepare a report, and notify affected parties.
    • The official may deputize Missouri SAVE Volunteer Inspectors for emergency post-disaster safety evaluations.
    “In the event of a disaster such as a windstorm, tornado, flood, fire, earthquake, bomb blast or explosion, the building official is hereby authorized to enter and inspect structures within the affected areas”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family detached dwellings in the R-1a Single-Family Residential District.

    • The minimum is livable floor space completely above grade.
    • Garage space and area over open porches are excluded.

    minimum floor area: >= 1200 square feet (exclusive of garage space and area over open porches; completely above grade)

    “Every single-family detached dwelling hereafter erected shall contain a floor area, exclusive of garage space and area over open porches, of a minimum of twelve hundred (1,200) square feet of livable floor space completely above grade.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in the A-1 General Agricultural District.

    • The table separately lists minimum lot area per family and minimum lot size, both as one acre.
    • Single-family residential districts must have minimum lot-width frontage on a 40-foot-wide public right-of-way; that frontage condition is stated separately in the same section.

    minimum lot area per family: 1 acre · minimum lot size: 1 acre

    “General Agricultural | 35 | 20 | 35 | 1 acre | 150 | 1 acre”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Lots in the A-1 General Agricultural District.

    • The dimensional table lists front, side, and rear yard dimensions.

    front yard: >= 35 feet · side yard: >= 20 feet · rear yard: >= 35 feet

    “General Agricultural | 35 | 20 | 35 | 1 acre | 150 | 1 acre”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Main and accessory buildings in the R-1a Single-Family Residential District.

    • Coverage includes main and accessory buildings.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent

    “Coverage. Main and accessory buildings shall not cover more than thirty percent (30%) of the lot area.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal buildings and accessory buildings or structures in all New Haven zoning districts.

    • Television and radio towers, church spires, belfries, monuments, water towers, chimneys, stacks, and flagpoles may be authorized to other heights by the Commission.
    • Buildings may exceed the district height if each yard is increased one foot for each foot exceeding the applicable height.

    maximum principal-building height: <= 35 feet (subject to stated exceptions) · maximum accessory-building or structure height: <= 15 feet (subject to stated exceptions)

    “Maximum height limit established for principal buildings in all districts is thirty-five (35) feet. Maximum height limit for all accessory buildings and structures is fifteen (15) feet.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camps in the A-1 General Agricultural District inside New Haven city limits.

    • A camp is a use permitted only upon review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
    • This claim is limited to the A-1 district and does not establish a citywide camping rule.
    “Uses Permitted Upon Review And Approval By The Planning And Zoning Commission. Camp.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Temporary mobile or manufactured structures used for occupancy inside New Haven city limits.

    • Temporary structures including mobile or manufactured structures may not be occupied for residential, commercial, or industrial use except as specifically permitted or required by Chapter 405.
    • Mobile and manufactured homes are allowed in permitted mobile home parks or as otherwise provided by Chapter 405.
    “No temporary structure (including trailers, mobile or manufactured) shall be occupied for any residential, commercial or industrial use except as specifically permitted or required by this Chapter.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Each lot within the R-1 zoning districts inside New Haven city limits.

    • The quoted rule applies specifically to R-1 zoning districts.
    • R-1a, R-1b, and R-1c provisions each require public water and public sewer service.
    “Water Supply And Sewage System. Each lot within a "R-1" zoning district shall be served by a public water supply and a public sewer system.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Pole-type structures used for agricultural and storage purposes inside New Haven city limits.

    • The building code prohibits listed foundation or footing systems for pole-type structures but creates an exception for buildings used for agricultural and storage only.
    • The source does not establish a general permit exemption for agricultural buildings.
    “1801.4 Pole Type Structures. Pole type structures shall have a concrete foundation. The exterior perimeter foundation shall be continuous and extend below frost line. Exceptions: Buildings used for agricultural and storage only.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Bed-and-breakfast homes, vacation homes, and rooming houses in R-1a, R-1b, and R-1c districts.

    • A special-use permit is required.
    • The source identifies the uses in the R-1 residential district provisions.
    “Special Use Permit Required. [...] Bed and breakfast homes, vacation homes and rooming houses.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Haven or Franklin County directly.

  • Building permit — Building work inside New Haven city limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside New Haven city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside New Haven city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy inside New Haven city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside New Haven city limits.
10 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Permit fees

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 New Haven publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Franklin County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Franklin County: county rules, score and offices