Bolthole Index

Putnam County, Missouri

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

77Index Score / 100
#15 of 115 in Missouri

Unincorporated Putnam County, Missouri does not require a residential building permit, but the county's zoning status could not be confirmed12. Missouri DHSS handles Putnam County septic permits, and a construction permit is required to install or repair a residential system on property smaller than 3 acres34. Before buying, confirm parcel-specific land-use, floodplain and access questions with the Putnam County Clerk.

At a glance

Building permit
Not required for a residence in unincorporated Putnam County1
Zoning
Countywide zoning status is unconfirmed; ask the Putnam County Clerk25
Septic authority
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services3
Septic permit
Required for residential property smaller than 3 acres and for nonresidential systems regardless of tract size4
Septic application fees
Temporarily suspended by Missouri beginning August 28, 20266
RV and tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the Putnam County Clerk before relying on residential occupancy25
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed, though an ordinary residence does not require a county building permit71
Driveway onto a state highway
A MoDOT right-of-way permit is required8

Who to call

Septic permits

Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program

Onsite wastewater permit applications for Putnam County

(573) 751-6095 ext. 5

[email protected]

930 Wildwood Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65102

Online permits →

Also useful

Putnam County Clerk

Starting contact for unresolved Putnam County building, zoning, floodplain and county-road questions

660-947-2674

1601 MAIN ST RM 101, UNIONVILLE MO 63565-1600

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 Putnam County, Missouri?

No residential building permit is required for an ordinary home in unincorporated Putnam County, Missouri1. Missouri adopts fire and building codes locally rather than through one uniformly adopted statewide code, and Putnam County is not listed as having adopted a residential, commercial or energy building code91. That answer is limited to the county building permit: a septic permit, a MoDOT right-of-way permit or a permit tied to a designated flood hazard area can still apply to the same project4810. Putnam County building inspections and certificates of occupancy could not be confirmed, so ask the Putnam County Clerk about any project-specific county review before construction5.

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

Putnam County does not publish a building department or building-permit office, and a residential building permit is not required in unincorporated Putnam County1. Start unresolved county questions with the Putnam County Clerk at 660-947-2674, 1601 MAIN ST RM 101, UNIONVILLE MO 63565-16005. Septic is separate: the Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program is Putnam County's permitting authority and can be reached at (573) 751-6095 ext. 5 or [email protected]113. DHSS directs Putnam County applicants to its online form to request an application number, and work should wait until DHSS issues a permit or confirms an exemption1112.

Does Putnam County have zoning?

Putnam County's countywide zoning status is unconfirmed because no official county zoning ordinance, map or definitive county statement was located2. Missouri law allows a county in Putnam County's general class to establish zoning for unincorporated territory only after the zoning question wins approval from a majority of voters casting ballots on it13. Do not treat the missing ordinance record as proof that every parcel is unrestricted. Ask the Putnam County Clerk whether the county has adopted zoning and whether a particular site is subject to setbacks, minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, height or lot-coverage rules5. Land inside Unionville or another incorporated place can be governed by municipal rules rather than the unconfirmed countywide rules for unincorporated land13.

How do septic permits work in Putnam County?

Missouri DHSS is the onsite wastewater permitting authority for Putnam County3. A construction permit is required to install or repair a residential onsite system on property smaller than 3 acres, while a nonresidential onsite system requires a permit regardless of property size4. Contact DHSS before assuming a larger residential tract is exempt, because work should not begin until the proper authority issues a permit or confirms an exemption12. Missouri temporarily suspended application fees for onsite sewage construction, modification and repair beginning August 28, 20266. Putnam County soils deserve early testing: 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so a site evaluation may point toward a more specialized design14. Missouri does not generally require a septic inspection for every real-estate transaction, but a lender or buyer may request one and it must be performed by a licensed person15.

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

Long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping and tiny-home occupancy on private land in unincorporated Putnam County could not be confirmed from an official county rule. Putnam County's zoning status is also unconfirmed, so the lack of a located ordinance is not enough to call these uses unrestricted2. Ask the Putnam County Clerk whether an occupancy rule, setback, minimum dwelling size or local floodplain condition applies to the parcel before buying or moving a unit onto it5. Any occupied setup still needs lawful wastewater disposal: Missouri onsite systems treat and dispose of domestic sewage on the property, and residential property smaller than 3 acres requires a construction permit for installation or repair164. A mobile-home park or campground planning onsite wastewater also needs Missouri DNR approval17.

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

  1. Confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated Putnam County, where an ordinary residence does not require a county building permit1.
  2. Call the Putnam County Clerk at 660-947-2674 to ask about zoning, floodplain review, county-road access, setbacks and any subdivision approval affecting the parcel5.
  3. Have the proposed septic area evaluated early because 0% of mapped county soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field14.
  4. Request a septic application number from Missouri DHSS and do not start onsite wastewater work until DHSS issues the permit or confirms an exemption1112.
  5. If the driveway enters a state highway, obtain a MoDOT right-of-way permit before construction and contact the Traffic Specialist at least 48 hours before work begins818.

What should you check before buying land in Putnam County?

Septic feasibility is the first due-diligence item because 0% of Putnam County's mapped soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional drain field14. Terrain varies: 58.2% of the land has a slope of 15% or less, while 30.8% is wooded, so inspect the actual homesite and access route rather than relying on county averages1920. Putnam County averages 39.2 inches of precipitation annually and has experienced severe drought in 8.7% of years, making both drainage and a dependable water source worth checking2122. The effective property-tax rate is about 1%, with a median annual bill of $1,1012324. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 82 miles from the county's center, so price contractor travel and material delivery before committing25.

Watch-outs

  • Putnam County's zoning, RV-occupancy and tiny-home rules could not be confirmed; ask the Putnam County Clerk about the specific parcel before treating any use as unrestricted25.
  • A tract larger than 3 acres is not an automatic green light for septic work; DHSS says work should wait until the permitting authority confirms the exemption412.
  • Every mapped Putnam County soil is rated severely limited for a conventional septic drain field, so make septic feasibility a purchase contingency14.

Sources

  1. Missouri State Data Portal - County Building Codes for Missouri (2026 county census)
  2. (2026 county census)
  3. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  4. Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  5. Putnam County Clerk (mocounties.com)
  6. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. Permits | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. RSMo Section 64.170 (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Laws and Regulations That Might Affect You if You Mine Sand or Gravel From Missouri Streams (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Missouri DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (health.mo.gov)
  12. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  13. RSMo § 64.090 — Planning and zoning powers of county commission (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  15. Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  16. Frequently Asked Questions (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  18. Permit Process | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Distance to the nearest metro area: 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

Putnam County in Missouri

77
County map
Putnam County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Putnam County scores

Seclusion84100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency56100% ev.
Admin Boringness7868% ev.
Durability55100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost8196% ev.

Evidence strength: 94%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$215kTypical home
1%Property tax
$3,789Land / acre
39.2"Annual rain
8.7% of yrsSevere drought
7.9 / yr (+6.8)Mid-century 100°F days
17.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.95" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.84×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,032Home insurance / yr
4.1% / yrInsurance growth
1.69%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
4,433People within 30 min
344,800People within 2 hr
7,648Radius comparison (15 mi)
9People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
58.2%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
0 acWorkable land screen
30.8%Wooded land
35.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
51.2°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Putnam County

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

Putnam County rules

  • Who permits septicState

    Onsite wastewater permitting for Putnam County.

    “Agency: DHSS Authority Type: DHSS Address: 930 Wildwood Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65102 County: Putnam”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    DHSS onsite-wastewater permit process for Putnam County.

    • Putnam County is listed with DHSS as the agency and authority type.
    • The application-number request must be submitted through the state form identified by DHSS.
    • Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption has been confirmed by the appropriate authority.
    “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.”
  • Building permitNot required

    The State of Missouri County Building Codes inventory lists no residential, commercial, or energy building code adopted for Putnam County (all fields dashed), consistent with rural non-charter counties that cannot require residential building permits. Corroborated by the state County Building Codes dataset (data.mo.gov iq7s-izvt, 2021): no county residential building code adopted.

    Missouri State Data Portal - County Building Codes for Missouri ↗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”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Onsite wastewater system installation or repair in Putnam County under Missouri state onsite-wastewater rules.
      “A construction permit is required to install or repair an onsite system on any residential property less than three acres. (This exemption does not apply in some counties; check with the county authority.) Regardless of the size of the property, a permit is necessary for all other onsite systems that serve non-residential structures.”
  • 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 (with conditions) — Onsite wastewater inspection or evaluation before a real-estate transaction in Putnam County.
      “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.”
  • 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)

    Erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures as against county fire-protection or fire-prevention ordinances.

    • The exemption applies to fire protection or fire prevention ordinances adopted by counties in Missouri.
    • The statutory text addresses farm buildings and farm structures; it does not establish a general exemption from every zoning, building-code, floodplain, septic, or other land-use requirement.
    • Effective August 28, 2025.

    effective date: 2025-08-28

    “Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no fire protection or fire prevention ordinance adopted by any county in this state shall be exercised so as to impose regulations or to require permits with respect to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of farm buildings or farm structures.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions in Putnam County proposing onsite wastewater treatment systems.

    • Missouri Department of Natural Resources approval is required when the subdivision plans to use onsite wastewater treatment systems.
    • The cited rule concerns OWTS-planned subdivisions and does not establish every subdivision-plat requirement.
    “DNR must approve subdivisions, mobile home parks and campgrounds if the use of OWTS is planned. Developers as well as property owners in unapproved developments should contact DNR regarding their residential housing unit requirements.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

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

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

    Projects including mining, dredging, building construction, and other dirt-moving activities in designated flood hazard areas within participating Missouri jurisdictions.

    • The source describes local county or city flood damage reduction ordinances rather than one uniform statewide ordinance.
    • The project must be within a participating jurisdiction.
    • The project must be within a designated flood hazard area.
    • The cited rule does not apply if either condition is absent.
    • Covered projects must not raise flood heights.
    “Some jurisdictions (for example, county, city) require any projects in certain floodplains do not raise flood heights.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Missouri Department of Natural Resources air construction permits statewide.

    • Fees apply to air construction permits, not to every Missouri building or land-use permit.
    • Construction permit fees include a filing fee and an hourly processing fee.
    • The filing fee depends on the type of construction permit.
    • The listed fees are effective January 1, 2026.
    • Fees applicable until December 31, 2025 are available on the Air Construction Permit Fees white sheet.
    • A convenience fee is charged for electronic payment.

    portable source relocation filing fee: 300 USD · minor permit filing fee: 300 USD · minor permit processing fee: per 100 USD (hour) · general permit filing fee: 700 USD · new source review filing fee: 6000 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee) · prevention of significant deterioration filing fee: 6000 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee) · hazardous air pollutant filing fee: 6000 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee) · temporary or pilot filing fee: 250 USD (plus $100 per hour processing fee)

    “Construction permit fees include a filing fee and an hourly processing fee. The filing fee is dependent on the type of construction permit.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Missouri counties adopting zoning regulations for unincorporated territory.

    • First-class charter counties are empowered under RSMo § 64.090; that section excludes first-class counties without a charter form of government.
    • A first-class noncharter county or a county of the second, third, or fourth class may establish county zoning under RSMo §§ 64.845 to 64.880 only after the zoning question is submitted to county voters and a majority of votes cast favors county zoning.
    • The authority applies to unincorporated portions or territory and does not apply to incorporated portions under § 64.090.
    • Section 64.090 excludes specified agricultural activities and certain farm structures, underground mining, and protects existing lawful uses subject to gradual elimination of nonconforming uses.
    “If a majority of the votes cast is in favor of county zoning, the county commission shall proceed with a program of county zoning”
  • county building authorityLimited

    County regulation of construction and issuance of building permits for buildings, including residential construction, in Missouri counties, with the practical focus on county-controlled areas outside incorporated territory.

    • RSMo § 64.170 grants the authority to counties of the first and second classification only.
    • The authority is subject to subsections 2 and 3.
    • A county that had not adopted a building code before August 28, 2001, under §§ 64.170 to 64.200, lacks authority to adopt one under those sections unless voters approve it.
    • The building-code authority vote is limited to voters in the affected area; a code affecting a county may not be voted on by citizens of incorporated territory.
    • The statute authorizes building regulations, building permits, inspections, licensing rules, and permit, license, and inspection fees.
    “the county commission in all counties of the first and second classification [...] is for this purpose empowered [...] to adopt [...] regulations to control the construction”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions for construction in Putnam County.
  • Inspections — Building inspections in unincorporated Putnam County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in unincorporated Putnam County.
  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning in Putnam County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Putnam County.
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
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Putnam County, Missouri

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

Putnam County scores 77/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 4,433 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost.

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

Putnam County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas. 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 Putnam County, Missouri?

Land in Putnam County runs about $3,789 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Putnam County?

Putnam County gets about 39.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.7% of years.

How remote is Putnam County?

A representative private-land location has about 4,433 people within a 30-minute drive and 344,800 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 Putnam County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Putnam compares in Missouri

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