Bolthole Index

Maries County, Missouri

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

68Index Score / 100
#71 of 115 in Missouri

Unincorporated Maries County, Missouri does not require a county building permit to build a home1. Maries County has no confirmed countywide zoning ordinance, but that does not mean every use is unrestricted2. Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services handles onsite wastewater construction permits in Maries County3.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required in unincorporated Maries County1
Zoning
No zoning office; no confirmed countywide ordinance2
Septic permit
DHSS handles permits; approval or a confirmed exemption is needed before work begins3
RV / tiny home living
No published county rule found either way; ask the Commission2
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed; there is no county permit process to be exempt from4
Minimum lot size / setbacks
Not published; no zoning ordinance was found2

Who to call

Also useful

Maries County Commission

General county government; the office to ask about county roads, floodplain status, or zoning/subdivision questions, since Maries County has no building, planning or zoning department

573-422-3388

[email protected]

Property records

Maries County Assessor's Office

Property assessment, parcel records and valuation for Maries County

573-422-3540

[email protected]

211 4th Street, Courthouse, P.O. Box 188, Vienna, MO 65582

Health department

Missouri Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (DHSS)

Onsite wastewater treatment system (septic) construction permits for Maries County, since the Phelps/Maries County Health Department stopped issuing them locally on October 16, 2024

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 September 29, 2026.

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

No county building permit is required to build or renovate a home in unincorporated Maries County: the county's own website lists no building, code-enforcement or inspection office among its departments1. Missouri law lets only counties of the first or second classification adopt a residential building code, and nothing on Maries County's site indicates it has done so5. Because there's no county permit process, there's also no confirmed county inspection, certificate-of-occupancy or owner-builder-exemption rule — those questions simply have no official Maries County answer yet4. If you hire a contractor, that relationship and any warranty are between you and them, not enforced through a county permit.

Who do you call about land-use and building questions in Maries County?

Maries County has no building, planning or zoning department, so there's no dedicated land-use office to call12. The Maries County Commission, at 573-422-3388 or [email protected], is the general county government office and the practical place to start with a road, floodplain or land-use question6. The Maries County Assessor's Office, at 573-422-3540, keeps parcel records, acreage and property-tax valuation and is worth calling to confirm the boundaries and classification of a specific tract7. For septic work, call Missouri's Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program at 573-751-6095; DHSS is the permitting authority listed for Maries County83.

Does Maries County have zoning?

Maries County's own website lists no planning or zoning department, and no official record shows the county has ever put a zoning question to voters2. Missouri law lets a county like Maries adopt zoning only after voters approve it in a countywide referendum, and nothing found on the county's site shows that vote has happened9. That means there is no confirmed countywide rule on lot size, setbacks, building height, accessory dwellings, or RV and tiny-home occupancy — not that these are guaranteed unrestricted, just that no ordinance addressing them has been found, so call the County Commission before you assume anything6. Zoning in Missouri generally applies only inside incorporated cities, so if your parcel sits inside Vienna's city limits rather than unincorporated Maries County, the City of Vienna's rules would apply instead2.

How do septic (onsite wastewater) permits work in Maries County?

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is the onsite wastewater permitting authority for Maries County3. A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most systems, although some single-family residential lots may qualify for an exemption; do not start work until DHSS issues the permit or confirms the exemption3. Apply through Missouri's Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program at PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570, phone 573-751-60958. Only 0.7% of Maries County land has soil without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so get the site evaluated before fixing a house location or purchase budget10. Application fees for onsite sewage system construction, modification and repair are temporarily suspended as of August 28, 2026; ask DHSS whether that suspension remains in effect when you apply3.

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

We could not confirm a Maries County rule addressing RV or tiny-home occupancy on private land, and the county has no zoning or planning office2. Call the County Commission at 573-422-3388 before setting up a long-term RV, park model or tiny home, especially if the parcel may be inside Vienna's city limits, where separate rules could apply6. For an unsewered homesite, DHSS still requires a construction permit for most onsite wastewater systems unless it confirms that the lot qualifies for an exemption3.

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

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is inside Vienna's city limits or in unincorporated Maries County, because the county zoning answer does not establish the rules inside an incorporated city2.
  2. Call the Maries County Assessor's Office at 573-422-3540 to confirm the parcel's recorded acreage and existing structures7.
  3. Contact Missouri's Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program at 573-751-6095 before fixing the house location; DHSS must issue the septic construction permit or confirm that the lot is exempt before work begins83.
  4. Because unincorporated Maries County does not require a county residential building permit, arrange your own construction supervision and quality checks1.
  5. Ask the Maries County Commission about county-road access, culverts and the parcel's floodplain status before moving equipment onto the site6.
  6. If the entrance meets a state highway, obtain the required MoDOT right-of-way permit before constructing or modifying the driveway11.

What to check before you buy land in Maries County

Test the soil before you commit: only 0.7% of Maries County's land has soil without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so budget cautiously and get a site evaluation early10. About 70.2% of the land has a slope of 15% or less, and 54% is wooded, so compare the cost of clearing and grading each candidate homesite1213. Maries County has about 16 people per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is roughly 63 miles from the county's center1415. Farmland value averages about $3,134 per acre, while the typical home value is about $260,1601617. Maries County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, with a median annual bill near $1,0881819. A septic inspection is not automatically required for every Missouri real-estate transaction, but a buyer or lender may request one and it must be performed by a licensed individual20. Before closing, ask the County Commission whether the parcel is unincorporated, lies in a mapped flood hazard area, or is subject to a subdivision rule69.

Watch-outs

  • Farm buildings and structures used strictly for agriculture (not a residence) get a separate state-law exemption from local building and land-use restrictions outside mapped flood-hazard areas, if Maries County ever regulates them21.
  • Whether unincorporated Maries County has ever adopted subdivision regulations under state law is unconfirmed; ask the County Commission before platting a new parcel69.
  • No floodplain administrator is published on the county's site; ask the County Commission whether your parcel is in a mapped flood hazard area before you build622.

Sources

  1. Maries County, Missouri - Official County Website (department directory) (2026 county census)
  2. Maries County, Missouri - Official County Website (department directory) (2026 county census)
  3. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  4. (2026 county census)
  5. RSMo § 64.170 — County commissions control construction and issue building permits (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Maries County Commission (mariescountymo.gov)
  7. Maries County Assessor's Office (mariescountymo.gov)
  8. Missouri Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (DHSS) (health.mo.gov)
  9. RSMo § 64.090 — Planning and zoning powers of county commission (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  11. Permits | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  13. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  14. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  17. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  21. Building and land use restrictions — exemptions — limitations on use of powers, quoted and re-checked
  22. Laws and Regulations That Might Affect You if You Mine Sand or Gravel From Missouri Streams (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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

Maries County in Missouri

68
County map
Maries County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Maries County scores

Seclusion46100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency60100% ev.
Admin Boringness8790% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost82100% 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 →

$260kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$3,134Land / acre
43.5"Annual rain
5.4% of yrsSevere drought
13.1 / yr (+10.8)Mid-century 100°F days
16.7 daysMid-century dry spell
2.09" (+4.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.82×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,962Home insurance / yr
2.2% / yrInsurance growth
1.15%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
52,206People within 30 min
3,301,616People within 2 hr
19,931Radius comparison (15 mi)
16People / sq mi
0%Federal land
70.2%Land at 15% slope or less
0.7%Septic soil without severe limits
2,362 acWorkable land screen
54%Wooded land
40 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Maries County

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

Maries County rules

  • Building permitNot required

    The official county website lists no building/permit or code-enforcement office; Missouri has no statewide residential code and non-charter (third-class) counties like Maries generally lack authority to require 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.

    Maries County, Missouri - Official County Website (department directory) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    The official county department directory contains no planning/zoning office; zoning applies only within incorporated cities such as Vienna.

    Maries County, Missouri - Official County Website (department directory) ↗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”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite wastewater treatment system construction permitting in Maries County, as identified in the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services county authority listing.

    • The Maries County listing identifies the agency as DHSS and the authority type as DHSS.
    • 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 to determine the agency with permitting authority where the work is being done.
    • Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption to permitting has been confirmed by the appropriate permitting authority.
    • Effective August 28, 2026, application fees associated with onsite sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs are temporarily suspended due to changes to RSMo 701.046; the $90 permit fee was removed and DHSS is authorized to set reasonable fees until new standards take effect.
    • DHSS regulations cover single-family residential systems, including lagoons, 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.
    • The Department of Natural Resources regulates lagoons serving anything other than single-family residences, systems that treat and discharge into surface waters, systems treating wastewater flows greater than 3,000 gallons per day and dispersing through soil treatment or absorption systems, and industrial non-domestic wastewater systems.
    • DNR must approve subdivisions, mobile home parks, and campgrounds if OWTS use is planned.

    domestic wastewater flow covered by DHSS regulations: <= 3000 gallons per day (Systems exceeding this flow threshold are regulated by DNR when wastewater is dispersed through soil treatment or absorption systems.) · application fees: temporarily suspended (Effective August 28, 2026, due to changes to RSMo 701.046; current fees are on hold until new standards take effect.)

    “Agency: DHSS Authority Type: DHSS Address: 930 Wildwood Dr. Jefferson City, MO 65102 County: Maries”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — Missouri wastewater treatment systems, including domestic onsite systems, larger-flow systems, direct discharges, lagoons, subdivisions, and industrial wastewater.
      “In Missouri, different state and local agencies are responsible for regulating wastewater treatment systems.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems in Missouri, including residential systems subject to state permitting.

    • A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most OWTS.
    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt.
    • For residential property less than three acres, a permit is required; the exemption does not apply in some counties, so the county authority must be checked.
    • Work should not begin until a permit is issued or an exemption is confirmed.
    • Effective August 28, 2026, application fees for onsite sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs are temporarily suspended.

    residential lot threshold: < 3 acres (The exemption does not apply in some counties.) · temporary permit-fee suspension effective date: 2026-08-28 (Applies to application fees associated with onsite sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs.)

    “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.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Inspection or evaluation of existing onsite wastewater systems in connection with Missouri real-estate transfers.

    • Local public health agencies generally no longer inspect existing systems for real-estate transfers.
    • A private licensed inspector may perform an inspection or evaluation.
    • A lender, buyer, or other transaction participant may require an assessment.
    • Some local standards may be more stringent than state regulations.
    • Inspections and evaluations are distinct; an inspection includes a hydraulic test, while an evaluation does not.
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Farm buildings and farm structures used for agricultural purposes in areas governed by Missouri county planning and zoning powers, including unincorporated Maries County where those state provisions apply.

    • The statutory provision does not apply to incorporated portions of counties.
    • The statutory provision does not apply to the raising of crops, livestock, orchards, or forestry, or to seasonal or temporary impoundments used for rice farming or flood irrigation.
    • Rice-farming or flood-irrigation berms covered by the provision must be no more than eighteen inches high.
    • The exemption for erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures applies only in an area not within the area shown on the flood hazard area map.
    • The section separately addresses recovery of natural resources by strip or open-cut mining; commercial structures are permitted in all districts except districts zoned for residential or recreational use.
    • The statute preserves existing lawful property uses and maintenance, judicial review of reasonableness, and public utility services authorized or ordered by the public service commission or by county commission permit.
    • The statute does not affect an ordinance or order adopted by a county before March 4, 1991.

    rice farming or flood irrigation berm height: <= 18 inches · statutory effective date: 1991-03-04

    “This section shall not apply to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration or extension of farm buildings or farm structures used for such purposes in an area not within the area shown on the flood hazard area map.”
    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.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Permit applications for work on Missouri Department of Transportation right-of-way statewide.

    • The process applies to MoDOT right-of-way work.
    • Applicants may apply online, contact the area Traffic Specialist, or submit a hard-copy application by mail.
    • Additional documentation may be required depending on the work, including site plans, performance bond, certificate of liability, traffic studies, or a meeting with MoDOT personnel.
    • After issuance, Missouri One Call, a Notice of Intent, permit and approved-plan retention, and Traffic Specialist contact requirements apply.
    • Lane closures require a request at least two working days in advance and authorization before closing lanes.
    • The Traffic Specialist must be contacted at least 48 hours before beginning work and for necessary inspections.

    lane-closure advance request: >= 2 working days (authorization from MoDOT is also required) · Traffic Specialist pre-work contact: >= 48 hours (before beginning work)

    “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 — Owner-builder exemptions from residential building-permit, inspection, or contractor requirements in Maries County
  • Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction in Maries County, including unincorporated areas
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Maries County, including unincorporated areas
  • Local zoning — Local zoning controls within Maries County, including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts applicable in Maries County, including unincorporated areas.
13 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • 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 Maries County, Missouri

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

Maries County scores 68/100 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 Maries County, Missouri?

Maries 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 Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) - Onsite Wastewater Treatment 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 Maries County, Missouri?

Land in Maries County runs about $3,134 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Maries County?

Maries County gets about 43.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.4% of years.

How remote is Maries County?

A representative private-land location has about 52,206 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,301,616 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 Maries County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Maries compares in Missouri

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