Bolthole Index

New Madrid County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Lilbourn, Missouri

Lilbourn, Missouri requires a setup permit before placing a manufactured or mobile home inside city limits; we could not confirm the building permit requirement for a conventional house.1 Camper trailers cannot be used as residences in Lilbourn.2 For a site in New Madrid County needing septic, DHSS is the county’s listed onsite-wastewater authority; confirm city sewer requirements before planning an onsite system.3

At a glance

Building approval
Manufactured/mobile-home setup permit required; conventional-house requirement unconfirmed1
Camper-trailer living
Prohibited as a residence inside city limits2
Manufactured-home lot
Owner-occupied City-lot exception requires dimensions of at least 80 by 120 feet4
Manufactured-home setback
At least 10 feet from lot property lines or boundaries5
Setup application fee
$50, through the City Clerk’s office6
Floodplain development
Separate development permit required in areas of special flood hazard7
Septic contact
DHSS is listed for New Madrid County; confirm applicability and sewer availability for the city address3

Who to call

Building permits

Lilbourn City Clerk’s Office

Manufactured-home setup applications; Board of Aldermen approval and City Building Inspector review

Floodplain permits

Lilbourn City Building Inspector

City floodplain development permit applications

Septic permits

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program

Onsite wastewater construction permits for New Madrid County

(573) 751-6095 ext.5

[email protected]

930 Wildwood Dr. Jefferson City, MO 65102

Online permits →

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 Lilbourn means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Lilbourn, MO?

Lilbourn requires a manufactured- or mobile-home setup permit before the home is placed on a lot, with applications obtained from the City Clerk’s office for $50.1 The Board of Aldermen reviews the completed application at a public hearing, and the City Building Inspector must approve how the home will be set and remain on the lot.8 We could not confirm Lilbourn’s general construction-code adoption or conventional-house building permit requirement; ask the City Clerk to identify the approval needed for your proposed house.

For land outside Lilbourn city limits, use the New Madrid County guide for the county answer; county building-code authority under the cited Missouri framework concerns the affected county territory and excludes incorporated-area voters from a county-code vote.9

Does Lilbourn have zoning, lot-size rules or setbacks?

We could not confirm whether Lilbourn has a general zoning ordinance or district map; ask the City Clerk for the rules governing the exact parcel and proposed use. Lilbourn does have specific manufactured-home land-use restrictions: an owner-occupied manufactured or mobile home may qualify for the City-lot exception only on a lot with minimum dimensions of 80 by 120 feet; otherwise residential use requires a manufactured home park.4

Lilbourn manufactured and mobile homes must be at least 10 feet from lot property lines or boundaries.5 Manufactured-home parks have separate space requirements of 3,400 square feet with least dimensions of 40 by 85 feet, so those park dimensions should not be substituted for the individual City-lot exception.10

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Lilbourn?

Lilbourn prohibits camper trailers as residences and expressly excludes camper trailers from its definition of a manufactured or mobile home.2 A manufactured-home setup approval therefore does not authorize residential use of a camper trailer in Lilbourn.2 We could not confirm a separate temporary-camping allowance or a tiny-home occupancy rule; ask the City Clerk how the city classifies the proposed unit before purchasing it.

A pre-owned manufactured or mobile home in Lilbourn must be habitable, meet applicable City codes, be no more than 7 years old, and pass City Building Inspector approval.11 Suitable skirting or a concrete-block facade is required, and tin skirting is prohibited.11

How do septic permits work inside Lilbourn?

Missouri requires a construction permit before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems, with some single-family residential lots potentially exempt; work must wait until the authority issues a permit or confirms an exemption.12 DHSS is the listed onsite-wastewater permitting authority for New Madrid County, and its county listing directs applicants to request an application number through the state form linked below.13 We could not confirm Lilbourn’s city-specific septic or sewer-connection requirements; ask the City Clerk about sewer service and DHSS about jurisdiction before selecting an onsite system.

New Madrid County has only 1% of soils rated “not limited” for conventional septic drain fields; that county-wide rating calls for a parcel-specific site evaluation and does not mean septic is impossible.14 DHSS onsite-wastewater application fees are temporarily suspended pending new standards.15

What are the steps for building a home in Lilbourn?

  1. Ask the Lilbourn City Clerk to confirm conventional-house building approval, sewer availability and the proposed home’s classification; manufactured/mobile-home setup applications go through that office.16
  2. For a manufactured/mobile home, verify the owner-occupied lot exception and the property-line separation before committing to a site.45
  3. Submit the setup application before placement, including notice to homeowners within 100 yards and written approval from at least 75% of those homeowners; applications below that approval threshold must be denied.8
  4. Ask the City Building Inspector whether the site lies in an area of special flood hazard; Lilbourn requires a separate development permit before construction or development in those areas.7
  5. If onsite wastewater is proposed, confirm the permitting authority and obtain the septic permit or confirmed exemption before work starts.12

Watch-outs

  • Lilbourn’s manufactured-home setup approval depends on neighboring homeowners’ written approval, and applications with less than 75% approval within the required 100-yard area must be denied.1
  • A Lilbourn floodplain development permit is a separate approval for development in an area of special flood hazard.7
  • We could not confirm tiny-home occupancy or temporary camping allowances; ask the Lilbourn City Clerk before relying on either, because camper trailers are prohibited as residences.2

Sources

  1. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  3. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 405 Flood Damage Prevention (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  9. RSMo § 64.170 — County commissions control construction and issue building permits (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 515 Mobile Homes, Manufactured Homes, and Manufactured Home Parks (Lilbourn), quoted and re-checked
  12. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (health.mo.gov)
  14. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  15. OWTS Construction Permit Process fee update, quoted and re-checked
  16. Lilbourn City Clerk’s Office (ecode360.com)

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 Lilbourn

Lilbourn’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Placement or setup of a manufactured or mobile home on any lot inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • The owner must apply before the home is placed or set upon the lot.
    • Applications are obtained from the City Clerk's office.
    • The application fee is fifty dollars ($50.00).
    • The completed application is reviewed and approved by the Board of Aldermen at a public hearing.
    • Written notice must be given to homeowners within one hundred (100) yards.
    • Written approval from at least seventy-five percent (75%) of homeowners within the 100-yard area is required; an application with less than seventy-five percent approval must be denied.
    • The City Building Inspector must approve how the home is set and remains upon the lot.

    application fee: 50 USD · notice radius: 100 yards · required neighboring approval: >= 75 percent (Any application with less than seventy-five percent of the required approvals shall be denied.)

    “Prior to being placed or set upon any lot within the City of Lilbourn, the manufactured home or mobile home's owner must apply for a permit to set up said manufactured or mobile home within the City limits.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Pre-owned manufactured or mobile homes placed inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • The home must meet applicable City codes and be habitable.
    • The home must not be more than seven (7) years old.
    • Vinyl or other appropriate skirting, or a concrete block facade, is required.
    • No tin skirting is allowed.
    • Inspection and approval are by the City Building Inspector.

    maximum age: <= 7 years

    “Any pre-owned manufactured or mobile home shall, in addition to the requirements herein, meet all applicable City codes, be in a habitable condition, must not be more than seven (7) years old, must have a skirting of vinyl or other appropriate material or a concrete block facade and be inspected and approved by the City Building Inspector. No tin skirting is allowed.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Owner-occupied manufactured or mobile homes placed on a City lot inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • The exception applies only when the manufactured or mobile home is owner-occupied.
    • Homes not meeting this City-lot exception must be in a manufactured home park.
    • Manufactured-home parks have separate space dimensions.

    minimum lot dimension: 80 by 120 feet (Applies to an owner-occupied manufactured or mobile home.) · manufactured-home-park individual space area: 3400 square feet · manufactured-home-park individual space least dimension: 40 by 85 feet

    “Each individual manufactured home or mobile home space shall contain three thousand four hundred (3,400) square feet with least dimension of forty (40) feet by eighty-five (85) feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Manufactured and mobile homes placed inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • The ten-foot separation applies to lot property lines or boundaries.

    minimum separation from lot property lines or boundaries: >= 10 feet

    “Manufactured and/or mobile homes may not be set within ten (10) feet of a lot's property lines or boundaries.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Use of camper trailers as residences inside Lilbourn city limits.

    “For purposes of this Code, a camper trailer is not included within the definition of manufactured or mobile home. Camper trailers shall not be used as residences within the City.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Residential use of manufactured or mobile homes inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • An owner-occupied home may be placed on a City lot with minimum dimensions of eighty (80) feet by one hundred twenty (120) feet.
    • Otherwise, residential use, whether transient or permanent, requires location in a manufactured home park.
    • Manufactured home parks require Board of Aldermen approval and must meet park-space, drainage, utility, lighting, paving, and orientation requirements.
    • New homes require a concrete foundation or concrete footing with piers as required by Missouri statutes, codes, and regulations.
    • Pre-owned homes must satisfy City-code, habitability, age, skirting, inspection, permit, notice, neighboring-approval, ownership, and Building Inspector approval requirements.

    owner-occupied City lot minimum width: 80 feet · owner-occupied City lot minimum depth: 120 feet · manufactured-home-park space area: 3400 square feet · manufactured-home-park space least dimension: 40 by 85 feet · minimum neighboring approval: >= 75 percent (Applications with less than seventy-five percent approval shall be denied.)

    “Unless a mobile home or manufactured home is owner-occupied and placed upon a City lot with a minimum dimension of eighty (80) feet by one hundred twenty (120) feet, no manufactured home or mobile home shall be used for residential purpose either transiently or permanently unless located in a manufactured home park in accordance with the following requirements:”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision proposals and other proposed new developments in Lilbourn areas of special flood hazard.

    • The proposal must be consistent with minimizing flood damage.
    • Public utilities and facilities must be located and constructed to minimize flood damage.
    • Adequate drainage must be provided.
    • For proposals greater than either fifty (50) lots or five (5) acres, base flood elevation data must be provided.
    • The chapter applies to all areas of special flood hazards within Lilbourn.

    large-development threshold: greater than 50 lots or 5 acres

    “All subdivision proposals and other proposed new developments, including manufactured home parks or subdivisions, shall be consistent with the need to minimize flood damage.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction, development, or substantial improvement in any area of special flood hazard inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • A separate development permit is required for each development.
    • Applications use City of Lilbourn forms.
    • Applications may require plans showing the nature, location, dimensions, elevations, structures, fill, storage, and drainage facilities.
    • Required information includes lowest-floor elevation, nonresidential floodproofing elevation, professional certification for nonresidential floodproofing, and a description of watercourse alteration or relocation.
    • The Building Inspector administers the chapter and reviews permits.

    permit scope: each development

    “A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 400.030(B). No person, firm or corporation or unit of government shall initiate any development or substantial improvement or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate permit for each development as defined in Section 400.020.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Manufactured or mobile home setup permit inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • The fee is stated for the setup application obtained from the City Clerk's office.

    application fee: 50 USD

    “Applications may be obtained from the City Clerk's office upon payment of an application fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Manufactured or mobile home setup permit inside Lilbourn city limits.

    • Apply before placement or setup.
    • Obtain the application from the City Clerk's office and pay the fifty-dollar application fee.
    • Return the completed application to the City Clerk.
    • Board of Aldermen reviews and approves at a public hearing.
    • Provide notice to homeowners within 100 yards and obtain at least 75 percent written approval.
    • Provide proof of ownership of the home and real estate, subject to the rental or lease provision in Subsection (H).
    • The City Building Inspector must approve how the home is set and remains upon the lot.

    application fee: 50 USD · notice radius: 100 yards · neighbor approval: >= 75 percent (Less than seventy-five percent approval requires denial.)

    “Completed applications shall be returned to the City Clerk for review and approval by the Board of Aldermen at a public hearing.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Lilbourn city limits.
  • Building code adopted — General building-code adoption inside Lilbourn city limits.
  • Local zoning — Land inside Lilbourn city limits.
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts and dimensional schedules inside Lilbourn city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Lilbourn city limits.
14 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Lilbourn publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. New Madrid County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of New Madrid County: county rules, score and offices