Camden County, MO — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Camden County Planning & Zoning Department, 1 Court Circle NW, Suite 15, Camdenton, MO 65020.【0†source】citeturn0search3

Street address

1 Court Circle NW, Suite 15, Camdenton, MO 65020 (mailing address also listed).【0†source】citeturn0search3

Phone

573-346-4440 ext. 1350 or 573-317-3860 for the planning office.【0†source】citeturn0search3

pz@camdencountymo.gov.【0†source】citeturn0search3

Coverage

The county planning office administers zoning, floodplain, and construction permits for unincorporated Camden County and for smaller municipalities that do not have their own building department.【0†source】citeturn0search3turn22search12

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Camden County

The Unified Land-Use Code Section 401 states that no building, structure, accessory building (>=400 sq ft), temporary construction structure, or any structure designated by the Planning Administrator may be erected, altered, or relocated without a permit, plus all new non-agricultural or residential buildings.【0†source】citeturn22search12

Scope of work

Permit?

The Unified Land-Use Code lists the categories that must be permitted but does not publish a standalone exempt-work list; call the Planning & Zoning Department for threshold questions.【0†source】citeturn22search12

Exempt

Exempt The Unified Land-Use Code lists the categories that must be permitted but does not publish a standalone exempt-work list; call the Planning & Zoning Department for threshold questions.【0†source】citeturn22search12

Required documents

When a permit is required: The Unified Land-Use Code Section 401 states that no building, structure, accessory building (>=400 sq ft), temporary construction structure, or any structure designated by the Planning Administrator may be erected, altered, or relocated without a permit, plus all new non-agricultural or residential buildings.【0†source】citeturn22search12
Required documents: Applications must include site plans showing setbacks, utility services, floodplain status, and any additional materials requested by the Planning Administrator for structures in sensitive areas.【0†source】citeturn22search12
Permit validity/expiration: Not specified publicly; contact the planning office for extension policies.【0†source】citeturn0search3
Owner-builder rules if available: Not spelled out online; the planning office evaluates owner-builder status during the review.【0†source】citeturn0search3
Contractor license requirements: Contractors must comply with county licensing requirements for trades (plumbing/electrical) and state-level licensure; the planning office references these during plan review.【0†source】citeturn0search3
Building code adopted: The county refers to the Unified Land-Use Code for zoning and defers to the 2018 ICC suite through applicable municipalities (codes are referenced within the Code repository).【0†source】citeturn22search12

Building code: The county refers to the Unified Land-Use Code for zoning and defers to the 2018 ICC suite through applicable municipalities (codes are referenced within the Code repository).【0†source】citeturn22search12
Permit validity: Not specified publicly; contact the planning office for extension policies.【0†source】citeturn0search3
Owner-builder: Not spelled out online; the planning office evaluates owner-builder status during the review.【0†source】citeturn0search3
Contractor requirements: Contractors must comply with county licensing requirements for trades (plumbing/electrical) and state-level licensure; the planning office references these during plan review.【0†source】citeturn0search3

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not published; applicants are advised to allow multiple weeks for review, especially in floodplain areas.【0†source】citeturn0search3

01

Download the Construction Permit Application (which doubles as a zoning permit), plot plan, and any additional packets (floodplain, land disturbance) that apply to the project.【0†source】citeturn0search2
02

Submit the completed paperwork, including property surveys as needed, to the Planning Administrator for review under the Unified Land-Use Code.【0†source】citeturn22search12
03

Once staff confirms setbacks, floodplain status and other zoning criteria are satisfied, pay the appropriate fee (see schedule) and collect the zoning/construction permit.【0†source】citeturn9search13
04

Coordinate inspections as instructed by the planning office (office hours 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday).【0†source】citeturn0search3

Typical processing time: Not published; applicants are advised to allow multiple weeks for review, especially in floodplain areas.【0†source】citeturn0search3

§ 04

Fee schedule

Camden County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

for simple permits, - for single-family, + per-100-sf for commercial structures (per the posted brochure).【0†source】citeturn9search13

Plan check fee

Not separately listed but included in construction permit and land disturbance fees; the brochure notes plan review materials may add for copies.【0†source】citeturn9search13

Permit fee formula

Fees combine flat charges for routine permits (e.g., zoning, land disturbance base) plus valuation-based surcharges for commercial square footage or acreage.【0†source】citeturn9search13

Reinspection fee

Not detailed online; penalties would follow the Unified Land-Use Code’s enforcement provisions.【0†source】citeturn22search12

The county accepts cash/check at Suite 15; no dedicated portal for payments is listed.【0†source】citeturn0search3

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Inspections and related approvals (e.g., driveway access, septic) are coordinated through the planning office; call 573-346-4440 ext. 1350.【0†source】citeturn0search3 ()

Inspection hours: Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm.【0†source】citeturn0search3

Typical sequence: The Unified Land-Use Code requires zoning, flood, road, and sanitary reviews; inspections are scheduled once the permit is issued.【0†source】citeturn22search12

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Camden County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Camden County, MO? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Camden County, MO? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Camden County, MO are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is for simple permits, - for single-family, + per-100-sf for commercial structures (per the posted brochure).【0†source】citeturn9search13. Fees are calculated as: Fees combine flat charges for routine permits (e.g., zoning, land disturbance base) plus valuation-based surcharges for commercial square footage or acreage.【0†source】citeturn9search13. Plan check fee: Not separately listed but included in construction permit and land disturbance fees; the brochure notes plan review materials may add for copies.【0†source】citeturn9search13.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Camden County, MO? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Camden County, MO, follow these steps: 1. Download the Construction Permit Application (which doubles as a zoning permit), plot plan, and any additional packets (floodplain, land disturbance) that apply to the project.【0†source】citeturn0search2 2. Submit the completed paperwork, including property surveys as needed, to the Planning Administrator for review under the Unified Land-Use Code.【0†source】citeturn22search12 3. Once staff confirms setbacks, floodplain status and other zoning criteria are satisfied, pay the appropriate fee (see schedule) and collect the zoning/construction permit.【0†source】citeturn9search13 4. Coordinate inspections as instructed by the planning office (office hours 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday).【0†source】citeturn0search3

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Camden County, MO? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Camden County, MO typically run Not published; applicants are advised to allow multiple weeks for review, especially in floodplain areas.【0†source】citeturn0search3. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Camden County, MO? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Camden County, MO. The following work is generally exempt: The Unified Land-Use Code lists the categories that must be permitted but does not publish a standalone exempt-work list; call the Planning & Zoning Department for threshold questions.【0†source】citeturn22search12. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Camden County, MO? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Camden County, MO via: Inspections and related approvals (e.g., driveway access, septic) are coordinated through the planning office; call 573-346-4440 ext. 1350.【0†source】citeturn0search3.

last verified April 2026 entry id permits/missouri/camden/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Camden County Planning & Zoning Department, 1 Court Circle NW, Suite 15, Camdenton, MO 65020.【0†source】citeturn0search3 before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Camden County