Bolthole Index

Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri

64Index Score / 100
#88 of 115 in Missouri

Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri requires building permits under a county ordinance adopted in 1986, but the county charges no building-permit fee.12 The Assessor's Office issues the permit and requires flood-zone verification before construction begins.3 Most onsite wastewater installations and repairs need a separate construction permit, with the Ste. Genevieve County Health Department administering the local onsite-sewage program.45

At a glance

Building permit
Required under the county permit ordinance1
Building permit fee
No fee2
Zoning
Countywide zoning in unincorporated areas is not confirmed; ask the Assessor's Office6
Septic
Most installations and repairs need a permit through the local onsite-sewage program45
RV living
Long-term occupancy on private land is not confirmed; ask the county before relying on it6
Tiny home
No specific occupancy or minimum-size rule was confirmed6
Owner-builder
No county owner-builder exemption was confirmed7

Who to call

Building permits

Ste. Genevieve County Assessor's Office

County building permits and preconstruction flood-zone verification

573-883-2333 ext. 4

55 South Third St., Room 4, Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

Septic permits

Ste. Genevieve County Health Department

Local onsite-sewage questions and permit coordination

(573)883-7411

115 Basler Drive Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri?

Yes. Ste. Genevieve County requires building permits under a county ordinance adopted in 1986.1 The county charges no fee for its building permit.2 The Assessor's Office issues the permit to applicants who stop by or call, and the county requires verification before construction begins to avoid building in a flood zone.3 The county's published permit information does not identify an adopted construction code, a construction-inspection schedule or a certificate-of-occupancy process, so ask the Assessor's Office which requirements apply to the proposed structure.8 Missouri building and fire codes are adopted locally rather than through one uniformly adopted statewide building code.9

Who issues Ste. Genevieve County building permits?

The Ste. Genevieve County Assessor's Office is the practical first stop for a county building permit and the required preconstruction flood-zone verification.3 The office is at 55 South Third St., Room 4, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and lists 573-883-2333 ext. 4.8 The county page says applicants can obtain a permit by stopping by or calling the office, and it states that no fee is charged.2 Ask the Assessor's Office to identify what construction the permit covers, what plans or site information to provide, and whether another jurisdiction has authority over the parcel.8 A permit from the county should not be treated as confirmation of an inspection or certificate-of-occupancy requirement because neither process was confirmed in the county information available here.3

Does Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri have zoning?

We could not confirm a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated Ste. Genevieve County from the county's published information.6 Missouri law allows qualifying counties to establish zoning for unincorporated territory after voter approval, but that authority does not show that Ste. Genevieve County adopted countywide zoning.10 Before buying or designing, ask the Assessor's Office which authority can give a written parcel-specific answer about allowed uses, setbacks, minimum lot size, building height and minimum dwelling size.8 Land inside an incorporated city, town or village may be governed by that municipality rather than the county.10 No county owner-builder exemption was confirmed, so an owner planning to perform construction personally should ask whether the county permit process changes for self-performed work.7

How do septic permits work in Ste. Genevieve County?

The Ste. Genevieve County Health Department administers the local onsite-sewage program.5 A construction permit is required before most onsite wastewater systems are installed or repaired, although some single-family residential lots may qualify for an exemption; do not begin work until the permit is issued or the exemption is confirmed.4 Missouri requires a permit for residential property smaller than 3 acres, while county-specific exceptions can affect the exemption question.11 The Health Department lists (573)883-7411 and 115 Basler Drive in Ste. Genevieve.12 Only about 5.6% of mapped county soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make the site and soil evaluation an early feasibility step.13 Larger-flow, direct-discharge and certain other systems fall under Missouri DNR rather than the ordinary local residential process.14

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Ste. Genevieve County?

We could not confirm a Ste. Genevieve County rule that allows or prohibits long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping on private land or tiny-home occupancy.6 We also could not confirm countywide minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size or setback standards from the county's published information.6 Ask the Assessor's Office to identify the land-use authority for the exact parcel and to explain how the proposed unit would be classified before buying or moving it onto the land.8 A small or movable dwelling does not avoid wastewater rules: most onsite wastewater installations and repairs require a construction permit or a confirmed exemption.4 Off-grid wastewater may not be discharged into a road ditch or onto the ground.15

Building a home in Ste. Genevieve County: the steps in order

  1. Ask the Ste. Genevieve County Assessor's Office to confirm the building-permit scope and identify any zoning or municipal authority for the parcel.16
  1. Have the Health Department determine the onsite-wastewater permit or exemption path before fixing the house location.54
  1. Complete the county's flood-zone verification before construction begins.3
  1. Obtain the no-fee county building permit by stopping by or calling the Assessor's Office.28
  1. If the driveway enters Missouri Department of Transportation right-of-way, obtain the state permit before constructing or modifying the driveway.16
  1. Before occupancy, ask the Assessor's Office whether inspections or a certificate of occupancy apply because the county's published permit information does not confirm either process.8

What should you check before buying land in Ste. Genevieve County?

Confirm the parcel's land-use authority and allowed use before closing because countywide zoning, setbacks, minimum lot size and minimum dwelling size were not confirmed.6 Put septic feasibility near the top of due diligence: only about 5.6% of mapped county soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field.13 Verify flood exposure before choosing the house site because the county requires flood-zone verification before construction starts.3 Confirm legal access and determine whether the entrance meets a county road or Missouri Department of Transportation right-of-way; work on a state right-of-way requires a state permit.16 For budgeting context, the effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,376.1718

Watch-outs

  • The no-fee county building permit does not answer whether a construction code, inspections or a certificate of occupancy applies; ask the Assessor's Office before work begins.28
  • Do not assume an RV or tiny home may be occupied on a rural parcel; countywide zoning and occupancy rules were not confirmed.6
  • A large tract is not an automatic septic exemption because some single-family lots may be exempt and county-specific rules can affect the answer; confirm the parcel with the Health Department before work.412

Sources

  1. Assessor, quoted and re-checked
  2. Assessor, quoted and re-checked
  3. Assessor, quoted and re-checked
  4. OWTS Construction Permit Process, quoted and re-checked
  5. Ste. Genevieve County Health Dept — Onsite Sewage (2026 county census)
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. Ste. Genevieve County Assessor's Office (stegencounty.gov)
  9. RSMo Section 64.170 (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. RSMo § 64.090 — Planning and zoning powers of county commission (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Ste. Genevieve County Health Department (stegencohealth.org)
  13. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  14. On-site Septic Systems and Subdivisions (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Frequently Asked Questions (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Permits | Missouri Department of Transportation (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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

Ste. Genevieve County in Missouri

64
County map
Ste. Genevieve County highlighted among the Missouri counties · colored by Index score

How Ste. Genevieve County scores

Seclusion51100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency59100% ev.
Admin Boringness6568% ev.
Durability43100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost77100% ev.

Evidence strength: 95%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$264kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$4,393Land / acre
44.4"Annual rain
3.1% of yrsSevere drought
13.5 / yr (+11.4)Mid-century 100°F days
16.3 daysMid-century dry spell
2.04" (+8.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.85×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,974Home insurance / yr
1.8% / yrInsurance growth
1.54%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
39,335People within 30 min
3,137,440People within 2 hr
38,498Radius comparison (15 mi)
37.3People / sq mi
3.3%Federal land
57%Land at 15% slope or less
5.6%Septic soil without severe limits
17,715 acWorkable land screen
66%Wooded land
43 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Ste. Genevieve County

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

Ste. Genevieve County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction requiring the Ste. Genevieve County building permit in the county

    • Permit required under a county ordinance adopted January 1, 1986.
    • There is no permit fee.
    • Permit is issued by stopping by or calling the Assessor's office.
    • Verification must be made before construction starts to avoid building in a flood zone.

    permit fee: 0 USD · ordinance adoption date: 1986-01-01

    “Building permits are required per County Ordinance adopted January 1, 1986.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Most onsite wastewater treatment system installation or repair in Ste. Genevieve County

    • Some single-family residential lots may be exempt from permitting.
    • Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption has been confirmed.
    • DHSS rules cover single-family systems and onsite or cluster systems treating domestic wastewater flows of 3,000 gallons per day or less.
    • DNR regulates other systems, including non-single-family lagoons, surface-water discharges, systems over 3,000 gallons per day, and industrial wastewater.

    domestic wastewater flow threshold: <= 3000 gallons per day (DNR regulates covered systems exceeding this threshold)

    “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.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Ste. Genevieve County building permits

    • The assessor page states there is no fee for a building permit.

    building permit fee: 0 USD

    “There is NO fee for a permit and easily issued by stopping by or calling the Assessor's office.”
  • Permit processPublished

    Ste. Genevieve County building-permit process

    • Applicants may obtain the permit by stopping by or calling the Assessor's office.
    • Flood-zone verification must occur before construction starts.
    “There is NO fee for a permit and easily issued by stopping by or calling the Assessor's office. Verification must be made prior to the start of construction to avoid building in a flood zone.”

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 septicMixed

    Missouri wastewater treatment systems, including domestic onsite systems, larger-flow systems, direct discharges, lagoons, subdivisions, and industrial wastewater.

    • DNR regulates direct point-discharge or surface-land-application systems, non-individual lagoons, facilities exceeding 3,000 gallons per day, and industrial process waste.
    • DHSS or a local agency, typically the county health department, regulates single-family subsurface onsite systems, individual single-family lagoons, and qualifying systems at or below 3,000 gallons per day.
    • Local agencies may administer qualifying systems under local authority or ordinance.

    domestic wastewater flow threshold: <= 3000 gallons per day (DNR regulates facilities with domestic wastewater flow greater than 3,000 gallons per day)

    “In Missouri, different state and local agencies are responsible for regulating wastewater treatment systems.”
  • 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.”
  • 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)

    Subdivision or development using onsite wastewater in Ste. Genevieve County

    • DNR approval is required when subdivisions use onsite wastewater.
    • Developers must comply with DNR residential-development regulations and Missouri onsite-sewage law.
    “DNR must approve subdivisions, mobile home parks and campgrounds if the use of OWTS is planned.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 in Ste. Genevieve County
  • Inspections — Building inspections in Ste. Genevieve County
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Ste. Genevieve County
  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning in Ste. Genevieve County
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Ste. Genevieve County municipalities and unincorporated areas
14 more unanswered
  • Zoning districts
  • 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 Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri

Is Ste. Genevieve County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Ste. Genevieve County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.

Do you need a building permit in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri?

Ste. Genevieve County generally requires a residential building permit. Onsite septic is permitted by Ste. Genevieve County Health Department (Environmental / Onsite Sewage). 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 Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri?

Land in Ste. Genevieve County runs about $4,393 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Ste. Genevieve County?

Ste. Genevieve County gets about 44.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.1% of years.

How remote is Ste. Genevieve County?

A representative private-land location has about 39,335 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,137,440 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 Ste. Genevieve County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Ste. Genevieve compares in Missouri

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