Bolthole Index

Stone County, Missouri

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Kimberling City, Missouri

Kimberling City, Missouri requires a building permit to erect, move, add to or structurally alter a building or other structure.1 Kimberling City sets its own zoning inside city limits, rather than using unincorporated Stone County zoning.2 Private sewage disposal requires a city permit when public sewer is unavailable, with state requirements also applying.34

At a glance

Building permits
City permit required for erection, moving, additions and structural alterations1
Zoning
City zoning districts govern uses inside city limits2
Septic permits
City written permit and inspection; $50 application fee3
RV sleeping
Non-paying guests only: 14 days in a rolling 12-month period at a residence in a residential district5
Manufactured homes
Building permit required; minimum 24-foot width and 1,000 square feet, plus siting requirements6
Public sewer
Connection required after official notice when sewer is available within 300 feet of the property line7

Who to call

Building permits

Kimberling City Administrative Officer / Building Official

City building permits, application review and building fee information

Building permits

Kimberling City Hall — building inspection scheduling

Building-permit pickup and inspection scheduling through City Hall

417-739-4903

P.O. Box 370

Septic permits

Stone County Health Department

Onsite wastewater program; ask which additional county or state approval applies to a city address

417-357-6134

109 East 4th Street, Galena, MO 65656

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

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Do you need a building permit in Kimberling City, MO?

Kimberling City requires a building permit before a building or other structure is erected, moved, added to or structurally altered; the Administrative Officer issues the permit.1 Kimberling City has adopted the 2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code, with city amendments.8 Prepare construction drawings and setback details for the city application, and ask the Building Official which additional documents your project needs.9 We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption inside city limits; ask the Building Official before planning to build without a contractor.

Who issues building permits and schedules inspections in Kimberling City?

The Kimberling City Administrative Officer handles the building-permit requirement, while City Hall is the contact for scheduling building inspections.19 The city application says building-permit costs must be paid in full when the permit is picked up at City Hall.9 Ask the City Clerk for the current plan-review, building-permit and inspection fee schedule, which the code says is available at that office.1 For a manufactured home, Kimberling City requires a foundation inspection before placement and a final inspection before permanent occupancy and permit expiration.10

Does Kimberling City have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Kimberling City has city zoning, with uses governed by district-specific tables and standards.2 The districts include General Agricultural, Single-Family, Urban Neighborhood, Two-Family, Multi-Family and Residential-Manufactured Home districts.11 Ask the city Administrative Officer to identify the parcel’s district and provide the applicable dimensional table before designing a home. We could not confirm the city’s numeric minimum lot sizes, dwelling sizes or building setbacks for the agricultural and single-family districts. Kimberling City also regulates subdivision plats and lot splits: subdivision plats need approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board before recording, with a copy filed with the City Clerk.12

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Kimberling City?

On residentially zoned property in Kimberling City, only non-paying guests at a residence may occupy an RV for temporary sleeping, limited to 14 days in a rolling 12-month period.5 That provision does not authorize a buyer to use an RV as a permanent home on a vacant residential lot.5 We could not confirm a city provision expressly allowing tiny-home occupancy; ask the Building Official how the proposed structure would be classified. Kimberling City manufactured homes need a building permit, must occupy a district allowing single-family dwellings, and must be at least 24 feet wide with 1,000 square feet of combined floor area.6

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in Kimberling City?

Kimberling City requires direct public-sewer connection within 60 days after official notice when public sewer is available within 300 feet of the property line.7 Where public sewer is unavailable, obtain a written private sewage disposal permit signed by the City Engineer or designated representative before construction; the city permit and inspection fee is $50 at filing.3 Submit the city form with requested plans and specifications, then notify the city before covering underground portions and when ready for final inspection.13 City design requirements and Missouri health and natural-resources requirements also apply.4 Ask Stone County Health Department which additional county or state approval applies to your city address; the department operates an onsite wastewater permitting and inspection program.14

What are the steps before building a home in Kimberling City?

  1. Ask the city Administrative Officer to identify the zoning district and confirm the proposed use against its district standards.2
  2. Establish public-sewer availability; if unavailable, apply for the city private sewage disposal permit before constructing the system.73
  3. Prepare drawings and setback details, obtain the city building permit, and pay the building-permit costs at pickup.19
  4. Arrange city inspections through City Hall; manufactured homes need their final inspection before permanent occupancy.910

Ask the city about floodplain review before committing to a site: Kimberling City’s code identifies a required floodplain development permit, and the chapter was superseded in 2024.15 For land outside city limits, use the Stone County guide; the county building-permit rule applies to its county zoning jurisdiction rather than incorporated municipalities unless separately adopted.16

Watch-outs

  • Kimberling City’s R-1 and R-1B districts prohibit nightly, weekly, vacation and lake rentals; an existing R-1 rental’s pre-2017 exception does not carry to a subsequent purchaser.17
  • Missouri’s temporary suspension of state-program onsite wastewater application fees does not establish a waiver of Kimberling City’s separate $50 private sewage permit and inspection fee.183
  • We could not confirm the scope of city private-well approval or an accessory-dwelling allowance; ask the Kimberling City Building Official to review the proposed project before buying equipment or designing an additional dwelling.1

Sources

  1. Kimberling City Administrative Officer / Building Official (ecode360.com)
  2. Table of Contents - Kimberling City, MO (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 705 Public and Private Sewers (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 705 Public and Private Sewers (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  5. Section 400.516 Specific Use Regulations (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  6. Section 400.516 Specific Use Regulations (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 705 Public and Private Sewers (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Section 500.010 Adoption Of The International Building Code (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  9. Kimberling City Hall — building inspection scheduling (core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com)
  10. ecode360.com (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  11. Section 400.510 Zoning Districts And Uses (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 410 Subdivision Regulations (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 705 Public and Private Sewers (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  14. Stone County Health Department (stonecountyhealthdepartment.com)
  15. Chapter 440 Floodplain Management (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  16. Stone County Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  17. Section 400.516 Specific Use Regulations (Kimberling City), quoted and re-checked
  18. OWTS Construction Permit Process (Missouri statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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 Kimberling City

Kimberling City’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction inside Kimberling City city limits.

    • The City adopted the 2021 International Building Code and 2021 International Residential Code; City amendments apply.
    • Appendix C is on file in City offices.
    “be and is hereby adopted the International Building Code (IBC), 2021 Edition”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Manufactured homes approved for placement on an individual parcel inside Kimberling City.

    • Foundation inspection is required before placement.
    • A final inspection is required before permanent occupancy and before the building permit expires.
    • Permanent steps must be placed within ninety (90) days of occupancy.
    “A final inspection shall be conducted prior to permanent occupancy and prior to the expiration of the building permit.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Kimberling City city limits; Chapter 400 is the City's zoning and subdivision code.

    • Uses are governed by district-specific use tables and standards.
    “For the purposes of this Chapter the City of Kimberling City, Missouri, is divided into the following districts:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Land inside Kimberling City city limits.

    • Published districts include A-1 General Agricultural, R-1 Single-Family, R-1B Urban Neighborhood, R-2 Two-Family, R-3 Multi-Family, R-MHC Residential-Manufactured Home, C-1, C-2, C-3, I-1, O, P, and PDD.
    “"A-1" General Agricultural District. "R-1" Single-Family District. "R-1B" Urban Neighborhood District.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy and storage of recreational vehicles on residentially zoned property inside Kimberling City.

    • A recreational vehicle may be occupied only by non-paying guests at a residence in a residential district.
    • Only one RV may be occupied for temporary sleeping purposes.
    • The limit is fourteen days in a rolling twelve-month period.
    • Total RVs may not exceed two per residential structure on the residential lot or commonly owned adjacent lot.
    • Side-yard parking requires a ten-foot setback; front-yard parking has additional conditions and a five-foot property-line minimum.

    temporary sleeping period: 14 days in a rolling 12-month period (non-paying guest at a residence) · total recreational vehicles: <= 2 per residential structure (residential lot or commonly owned adjacent lot) · side-yard setback: >= 10 feet (between RV and lot line) · front-yard property-line setback: >= 5 feet (front-yard parking conditions)

    “It shall be lawful for only non-paying guests at a residence in a residential district to occupy one (1) recreational vehicle [...] only for a period of fourteen (14) days in a rolling twelve-month period.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary tents and similar temporary uses inside Kimberling City.

    • The Administrative Officer issues permits for tents.
    • Permitted purposes include temporary carnivals, churches, charities, charitable uses, and revival meetings.
    • The period may not exceed ten days.
    • The use must not be detrimental to public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience, or general welfare and must comply with all other City ordinances.

    maximum period: <= 10 days (specific permitted temporary purposes)

    “The Administrative Officer shall issue permits regulating the erection and use of tents for periods not to exceed ten (10) days”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home occupancy inside Kimberling City city limits.

    • A building permit is required.
    • Manufactured homes are subject to the same zoning regulations as site-built houses and must be placed in districts allowing single-family dwellings.
    • Minimum width is 24 feet and minimum combined square footage is 1,000 square feet.
    • The home must be within two years of manufacture, meet roof, foundation, utility, and other siting requirements, and pass required inspections.
    • Existing legal occupied homes may remain while occupied but may not be replaced unless brought into conformity.

    minimum width: >= 24 feet (measured perpendicular to length at all points) · minimum combined square footage: >= 1000 square feet (manufactured or modular home on individual lot) · maximum age at placement: <= 2 years (manufactured date before placement)

    “Manufactured homes shall not be placed or occupied on an individual lot without a building permit issued under these regulations.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Kimberling City when public sewer is unavailable.

    • The City requires a written permit and inspection.
    • System type, capacity, location, and layout must comply with City requirements, the Missouri Department of Public Health, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
    • Additional Missouri Department of Health requirements may apply.
    “The type, capacities, location and layout of a private sewage disposal system shall comply with all requirements of the City of Kimberling City, the Department of Public Health of the State of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Kimberling City when public sanitary sewer is unavailable.

    • The permit must be written and signed by the City Engineer or designated representative.
    • The application uses a City form and may require plans, specifications, and other information.
    • A $50 permit and inspection fee is due when the application is filed.

    permit and inspection fee: 50 USD (paid to the City when the application is filed)

    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the City Engineer or his/her designated representative.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Kimberling City.

    • The City representative may inspect at any stage.
    • The applicant must notify the City before underground portions are covered and when ready for final inspection.
    • Inspection must be made within forty-eight hours after notice.

    inspection response time: 48 hours (after receipt of notice)

    “The designated City representative shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal where public sanitary sewer is unavailable inside Kimberling City.

    • A private sewage disposal system is allowed only under the City's permit, inspection, design, and maintenance requirements.
    • No private or semi-public sewage disposal system may discharge to a natural outlet.
    “Where a public sanitary sewer is not available [...] the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this Section.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings used for habitation, employment, recreation, or other purposes inside Kimberling City.

    • Direct connection to public sewer is required within sixty days after official notice when public sewer is available within three hundred feet of the property line.
    • If public sewer is unavailable, a private sewage disposal system complying with City requirements is required.
    • The ordinance does not establish a general mandatory public-water connection rule in the cited passage.

    public sewer availability distance: <= 300 feet from property line · connection deadline: 60 days after official notice

    “shall connect such facilities directly with the public sewer [...] within sixty (60) days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is available within three hundred (300) feet of the property line.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats and lot splits within Kimberling City city limits.

    • The regulations apply within the City's corporate limits.
    • A subdivision plat must be submitted to and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and Board before recording.
    • A copy must be filed with the City Clerk.
    “No plat of a subdivision shall be recorded unless and until it shall have been submitted and approved by the Commission and Board”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in applicable floodplain areas inside Kimberling City city limits.

    • Chapter 440 applies to floodplain areas identified by the City code.
    • The chapter was superseded by Ordinance No. 546 adopted July 17, 2024.
    “Section 440.110 Floodplain Development Permit (Required).”
  • Short-term rentalsProhibited

    Nightly, weekly, vacation, lake, or under-30-day rentals in the City's R-1 and R-1B districts.

    • An R-1 property consistently rented before January 1, 2017 may continue, but a subsequent purchaser must comply after sale.
    • The rule also covers rentals occurring within thirty days of the first day of occupancy of the previous agreement.

    minimum occupancy term: >= 30 days (subject to the pre-2017 R-1 grandfathering rule)

    “No property within any district zoned "R-1" nor "R-1B" shall be leased, rented, or exchanged [...] as a nightly, weekly, vacation, or lake rental”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Prohibited — Vacation or under-30-day rentals in the City's R-2 and R-3 districts.
      “"R-2" property shall not be leased, rented, or exchanged [...] as a vacation location”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Permits administered by Kimberling City, including private sewage disposal permits.

    • A private sewage disposal permit and inspection fee is $50.
    • The general building and zoning fee schedule was not fully retrievable.

    private sewage disposal permit and inspection fee: 50 USD (paid when application is filed)

    “A permit and inspection fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be paid to the City of Kimberling City at the time the application is filed.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Private sewage disposal permit process inside Kimberling City.

    • Apply before construction using a City form.
    • Provide plans, specifications, and other information requested by the City.
    • Pay the $50 permit and inspection fee at filing.
    • Notify the City before underground portions are covered and for final inspection.

    inspection response time: 48 hours (after receipt of notice)

    “The application for such permit shall be made on a form furnished by the City of Kimberling City, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary by the City.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kimberling City or Stone County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Kimberling City city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Kimberling City city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in the City's R-1 Single-Family District.
  • Minimum lot size — Lots in the City's R-1 Single-Family District.
  • Setbacks — Single-family development in the City's R-1 Single-Family District.
7 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access

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 Kimberling City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Stone County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Stone County: county rules, score and offices