County Building Permits
Boone County, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Building inspections and permit review in Boone County outside the city limits of Columbia and other incorporated municipalities.
- Department
- Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division
- Address
- Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut, Room 315, Columbia, MO 65201-7732
- Phone
- (573) 886-4339
- resmgt@boonemo.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Boone County Online Submission • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Boone County and not inside an incorporated municipality.
- Determine whether the project also needs zoning, floodplain, driveway, on-site wastewater, fire district, or road access review before permit issuance.
- Submit the building permit application through the county's online submission link or in person through Resource Management.
- Include a site drawing for all new buildings, and include a soils report and complete site plan if an on-site wastewater system is proposed.
- Wait for staff review. The county reviews for land use regulations, floodplain regulations, and address requirements before permit issuance.
- After the application is processed, the county emails the fee amount and payment instructions.
- Pay promptly. Processed applications must be paid within 10 days of notification or the application is void and must be resubmitted.
- Call the inspections line to schedule required inspections.
- Complete final inspection and allow three business days for the Certificate of Occupancy where applicable.
Typical processing time: Commercial plans have a minimum review time of three weeks. Temporary or final certificates of occupancy take three business days to process.
Source: Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division
General Requirements
Permits are required for any commercial or industrial building or structure; any single-story residential or accessory structure larger than 160 square feet; work involving structural, electrical, plumbing, heating and air, or insulation; new homes; remodels; additions including decks, porches, and sunrooms; reroofing; garages; carports; sheds; barns; workshops; swimming pools; greenhouses; fences exceeding 12 feet; retaining walls over 4 feet; and TV or ham radio towers.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site drawing for all new buildings
- Soils report and complete site plan for new on-site wastewater systems
- For commercial applications: three sets of plans and a completed commercial permit application
- Building code
- 2015 International Codes with county addendums (for permits issued on or after April 1, 2017)
- Owner-builder
- Missouri law allows houses to be built without plans.
- Contractor requirements
- Homeowners may do their own work except electrical work. Contractors must be state licensed for plumbing, electrical, and asbestos work. County business licenses are no longer required.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- $300 for commercial projects
- Permit fee formula
- Permit fee calculator is published online; driveway permits are $60.00; commercial plan review has a $300 plan review fee. Other building permit fees are calculated by permit type and county schedule.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Voided applications must be resubmitted if unpaid within 10 days of notification.
- Payment note
- The county emails payment instructions after processing. Inspections cannot be scheduled until the application and payment have been processed.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Detached residential or accessory structures 160 square feet or smaller
- Fences 12 feet high or less
- Retaining walls 4 feet high or less
Important: The county states its public list is not all-inclusive, so applicants should confirm any claimed exemption directly with Resource Management.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (573) 886-4339 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24-hour notice required on all inspections
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Site and setback review where needed, footing and foundation, wastewater approval before other inspections when septic is proposed, rough trade and framing inspections, final inspection, certificate of occupancy if applicable.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2015 International Codes with county addendums (for permits issued on or after April 1, 2017)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- FAQs
- On-Site Wastewater Systems
- Solar Permit Procedure
- GIS City Limits Metadata
- License lookup guide: Missouri Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Missouri Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Missouri hub: Missouri Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boone County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, MO?
- Permits are required for any commercial or industrial building or structure; any single-story residential or accessory structure larger than 160 square feet; work involving structural, electrical, plumbing, heating and air, or insulation; new homes; remodels; additions including decks, porches, and sunrooms; reroofing; garages; carports; sheds; barns; workshops; swimming pools; greenhouses; fences exceeding 12 feet; retaining walls over 4 feet; and TV or ham radio towers.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Boone County, MO?
- Fees are calculated as: Permit fee calculator is published online; driveway permits are $60.00; commercial plan review has a $300 plan review fee. Other building permit fees are calculated by permit type and county schedule.. Plan check fee: $300 for commercial projects.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, MO?
- 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Boone County and not inside an incorporated municipality. 2. Determine whether the project also needs zoning, floodplain, driveway, on-site wastewater, fire district, or road access review before permit issuance. 3. Submit the building permit application through the county's online submission link or in person through Resource Management. 4. Include a site drawing for all new buildings, and include a soils report and complete site plan if an on-site wastewater system is proposed. 5. Wait for staff review. The county reviews for land use regulations, floodplain regulations, and address requirements before permit issuance. 6. After the application is processed, the county emails the fee amount and payment instructions. 7. Pay promptly. Processed applications must be paid within 10 days of notification or the application is void and must be resubmitted. 8. Call the inspections line to schedule required inspections. 9. Complete final inspection and allow three business days for the Certificate of Occupancy where applicable.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, MO?
- Typical processing time is Commercial plans have a minimum review time of three weeks. Temporary or final certificates of occupancy take three business days to process..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Boone County, MO?
- The following work is generally exempt: Detached residential or accessory structures 160 square feet or smaller; Fences 12 feet high or less; Retaining walls 4 feet high or less. Note: The county states its public list is not all-inclusive, so applicants should confirm any claimed exemption directly with Resource Management.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Boone County, MO?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (573) 886-4339. 24-hour notice required on all inspections.
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