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§ MO Boone County
County building permits

Unincorporated Boone County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division

Street address
Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut, Room 315, Columbia, MO 65201-7732
Phone
(573) 886-4339
Email
resmgt@boonemo.gov
Coverage
Building inspections and permit review in Boone County outside the city limits of Columbia and other incorporated municipalities.
Online portal
Boone County Inspections Portal
Boone County Online Submission
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Boone County

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.

Detached residential or accessory structures 160 square feet or smaller
Fences 12 feet high or less
Retaining walls 4 feet high or less
  • Exempt Detached residential or accessory structures 160 square feet or smaller
  • Exempt Fences 12 feet high or less
  • Exempt 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.

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.

Source: Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Commercial plans have a minimum review time of three weeks. Temporary or final certificates of occupancy take three business days to process.

  1. 01
    Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Boone County and not inside an incorporated municipality.
  2. 02
    Determine whether the project also needs zoning, floodplain, driveway, on-site wastewater, fire district, or road access review before permit issuance.
  3. 03
    Submit the building permit application through the county's online submission link or in person through Resource Management.
  4. 04
    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. 05
    Wait for staff review. The county reviews for land use regulations, floodplain regulations, and address requirements before permit issuance.
  6. 06
    After the application is processed, the county emails the fee amount and payment instructions.
  7. 07
    Pay promptly. Processed applications must be paid within 10 days of notification or the application is void and must be resubmitted.
  8. 08
    Call the inspections line to schedule required inspections.
  9. 09
    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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Boone County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
$300 for commercial projects
02
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.
03
Penalty (no permit)
Voided applications must be resubmitted if unpaid within 10 days of notification.

The county emails payment instructions after processing. Inspections cannot be scheduled until the application and payment have been processed.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

Source: Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Boone County permits

01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Boone County, MO? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Boone County, MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, MO? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, MO, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Boone County, MO? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Boone County, MO typically run Commercial plans have a minimum review time of three weeks. Temporary or final certificates of occupancy take three business days to process.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Boone County, MO? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Boone County, MO? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Boone County, MO via: (573) 886-4339. 24-hour notice required on all inspections.
last verified April 2026 source Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division ↗ entry id permits/missouri/boone/boone-county
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Boone County Resource Management, Inspections Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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