County Building Permits
Harrison County, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Harrison County, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Harrison County Planning and Zoning administers construction permits for the unincorporated county and townships, while incorporated towns route permitting through this office as well; floodplain and stormwater review are handled by the same department
- Department
- Harrison County Planning and Zoning / Building Division
- Address
- 100 W. Cherry Street, Bethany, MO 64424
- Phone
- (660) 425-3566
Online Permit Portal
Platform: none; permit applications are managed by the Planning & Zoning office • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Fill out the Building Permit Application and associated trade-specific checklists available on the Planning & Zoning website
- Include site plans, construction drawings compliant with the 2021 Missouri Building Code, energy calculations, health department approvals for on-site sewage if applicable, and any floodplain documentation
- Deliver the complete packet to Planning & Zoning (no online submission is available) and provide contractor licensing/insurance information where required
- Pay valuation-based fees at the office; plan review begins once the packet and payment are received
- Schedule inspections by calling the Building Division; after all inspections pass, request a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion
Typical processing time: No published timeline; the office reviews applications in the order received
Source: Harrison County Planning and Zoning / Building Division
General Requirements
All new construction, additions, structural changes, and trade work regulated by the Missouri Building and Residential Codes require a permit
Required Documents
- When a permit is required: All new construction, additions, structural changes, and trade work regulated by the Missouri Building and Residential Codes require a permit
- Required documents: Building permit application, supporting plans, proof of contractor licensing or owner-builder affidavit, and any overlay approvals
- Permit validity/expiration: Permits remain active while inspections progress; contact Planning & Zoning to request extensions if work pauses
- Owner-builder rules if available: Owner-builder affidavits must accompany the application and confirm compliance with Missouri statutes
- Contractor license requirements: Missouri contractor registration is verified as part of the application, especially for trades requiring mechanical/electrical licensing
- Building code adopted: Missouri Building Code (adopting the 2021 ICC series) enforced countywide
- Permit validity
- Permits remain active while inspections progress; contact Planning & Zoning to request extensions if work pauses
- Building code
- Missouri Building Code (adopting the 2021 ICC series) enforced countywide
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder affidavits must accompany the application and confirm compliance with Missouri statutes
- Contractor requirements
- Missouri contractor registration is verified as part of the application, especially for trades requiring mechanical/electrical licensing
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not listed publicly; call Planning & Zoning for the current minimum
- Plan check fee
- Paid at submittal; larger commercial projects may pay deposits
- Permit fee formula
- Building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fees are valuation-based with separate charges for plan review
- Reinspection fee
- Reinspection fees apply when the work is not ready, accessible, or corrections remain outstanding
- Payment note
- Fees paid at the Planning & Zoning office; checks or money orders payable to Harrison County
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Harrison County Planning and Zoning / Building Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Call (660) 425-3566 to request inspections after the permit is issued ()
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m
Typical inspection sequence: Footing/foundations, framing/trade out, mechanical/plumbing/electrical, insulation, and final
Additional Resources
- Building code: Missouri Building Code (adopting the 2021 ICC series) enforced countywide
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- harrisoncountymo.org
- harrisoncountymo.org
- 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 Harrison County Planning and Zoning / Building Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Harrison County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Harrison County, MO?
- All new construction, additions, structural changes, and trade work regulated by the Missouri Building and Residential Codes require a permit
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Harrison County, MO?
- The minimum permit fee is Not listed publicly; call Planning & Zoning for the current minimum. Fees are calculated as: Building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fees are valuation-based with separate charges for plan review. Plan check fee: Paid at submittal; larger commercial projects may pay deposits.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Harrison County, MO?
- 1. Fill out the Building Permit Application and associated trade-specific checklists available on the Planning & Zoning website 2. Include site plans, construction drawings compliant with the 2021 Missouri Building Code, energy calculations, health department approvals for on-site sewage if applicable, and any floodplain documentation 3. Deliver the complete packet to Planning & Zoning (no online submission is available) and provide contractor licensing/insurance information where required 4. Pay valuation-based fees at the office; plan review begins once the packet and payment are received 5. Schedule inspections by calling the Building Division; after all inspections pass, request a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Harrison County, MO?
- Typical processing time is No published timeline; the office reviews applications in the order received.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Harrison County, MO?
- The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance and small accessory buildings may fall under USBC exemptions, but the county advises confirming with Planning & Zoning prior to starting work due to overlay or floodplain rules.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Harrison County, MO?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call (660) 425-3566 to request inspections after the permit is issued.
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