Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Unionville, Missouri

Rules another office applies inside Unionville

Unionville does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater systems serving property inside Unionville city limits, in Putnam County, Missouri.

  • The Missouri DHSS authority map identifies Putnam as state-administered.
  • An incorporated area may be deferred to DHSS when a local permitting authority otherwise exists.

  “Putnam [...] State Administered – Contact DHSS Onsite Wastewater Program”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation or repair of most on-site wastewater treatment systems, including systems serving land inside Unionville city limits.

  • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.
  • Work should not begin until a permit has issued or the appropriate permitting authority confirms an exemption.

  “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.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Residential off-grid sanitation using an on-site wastewater treatment system inside Unionville city limits.

  • A construction permit is required before installation or repair of most OWTS.
  • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt.
  • The applicable permitting authority must determine the agency with authority where the work occurs.

  “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.”

• Well permitLimited

  Private well construction inside Unionville city limits, Missouri.

  • A well driller or pump installer charging for services must have a permit.
  • A landowner drilling the landowner's own well or installing the landowner's own pump is exempt from permit requirements but must comply with other rules.

  “Well drillers and pump installers who charge for their services must have a permit to construct a well. Issuing permits to well drillers and pump installers establishes a minimum standard of competency and enables the department to enforce minimum construction standards. Landowners who drill their own well and/or install their own pump are exempt from permit requirements, but must adhere to all other sections of the rules.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  On-site sewage disposal construction, modification, and repair permit applications, including those for property inside Unionville city limits.

  • Effective August 28, 2026, application fees are temporarily suspended.
  • The suspension results from changes to RSMo 701.046 and lasts until new standards take effect.

  OWTS application fee status: temporarily suspended (Effective August 28, 2026, until new standards take effect.)

  “Effective August 28, 2026, due to changes to RSMo 701.046, the application fees associated with on-site sewage disposal system construction, modifications, and repairs will be temporarily suspended.”

• Permit processPartial

  OWTS construction permits for property inside Unionville city limits.

  • The first step is determining the authority for the place of work.
  • Work may not begin until a permit issues or an exemption is 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.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Unionville or Putnam County directly.

• Building permit — Residential building construction inside Unionville city limits, Missouri.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Unionville city limits, Missouri.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Unionville city limits, Missouri.
• Inspections — Residential building construction inside Unionville city limits, Missouri.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Unionville city limits, Missouri.

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.