Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Bella Villa, Missouri

Bella Villa’s own rules

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Residential occupancy-permit administration inside Bella Villa city limits.

  • Saint Louis County's matrix identifies Bella Villa under the Residential Occupancy Permits column with modification A: first-time homebuyers only.
  • Residential occupancy-permit customers must first apply with the municipality.
  • The matrix general note states residential occupancy permits cover all rentals, from single-family through multi-family apartments.

  “002 | Bella Villa [...] | A | [...] A)First Time Homebuyers Only [...] General Notes 1) Residential Occupancy Permit customers must first apply with the Municipality 2) Residential Occupancy Permits - All Rentals, Single Family to Multi-Family Apartments.”

Rules another office applies inside Bella Villa

Bella Villa 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 septicMixed (with conditions)

  On-site domestic wastewater systems inside Bella Villa city limits.

  • The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services regulates domestic systems below 3,000 gallons per day discharged to an approved soil absorption system, holding tank, or lagoon serving a single-family residence.
  • The Missouri Department of Natural Resources regulates domestic wastewater systems that discharge above ground or have design capacities of 3,000 gallons per day or more, subdivisions with seven or more lots, and all non-domestic wastewater.

  DHSS-regulated domestic wastewater design capacity: < 3000 gallons per day (Must be discharged to an approved soil absorption system, holding tank, or lagoon serving a single-family residence.) · DNR-regulated domestic wastewater design capacity: >= 3000 gallons per day (Also includes domestic wastewater discharged above ground.)

  “The Department of Health and Senior Services regulates domestic waste water systems with a design capacity of less than 3,000 gallons per day and discharged to an approved soil absorption system, a holding tank or a lagoon serving a single-family residence. [...] The Department regulates domestic wastewater systems that discharge above ground or have design capacities of 3,000 gallons per day or more. They are also responsible for subdivisions with seven or more lots for sale, lease, or promotional plan. The Department also regulates all non-domestic wastewater (example: cooling water, process wastewater, hospitals, etc.) no matter what the discharge rate is.”

• Well permitLimited

  Water-well construction or repair inside Bella Villa city limits.

  • A non-restricted water-well installation permit is required for construction or repair.
  • A non-restricted pump-installation permit is required to install or replace a pump and for plumbing and electrical lines from the well to the structure's point of entry.
  • A restricted well or pump-installation permit is required for a person who contracts or directs those activities.
  • Landowners may install their own well or pump without a permit under the cited law and rules.

  “A non-restricted water well installation permit is required to construct or repair a water well in Missouri. A non-restricted pump installation permit is required to install or replace a pump in a water well. A non-restricted pump installation permit is also needed to install or repair the plumbing and electrical lines from the well to the point of entry in the structure. A restricted water well or pump installation permit is required for someone to contract these activities or to direct the installation. Landowners may install their own well or pump without a permit pursuant to the above mentioned law and rules.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bella Villa or St. Louis County directly.

• Building permit — Residential building construction inside Bella Villa city limits.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Bella Villa city limits.
• Building code adopted — Building construction inside Bella Villa city limits.
• Inspections — Residential building inspections inside Bella Villa city limits.
• Local zoning — Land inside Bella Villa city limits.

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.