Hickory County, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Verified county permit authority found in public sources is for on-site disposal systems and wastewater treatment facilities in unincorporated Hickory County. The ordinance excludes systems connected to an incorporated municipality or public sewer district and also exempts some 3-acre-or-larger single-family lots unless near Corps/public-utility lakes or creating off-site impacts

Department

Hickory County Health Department, Environmental Health

Address

24885 Hwy 254, Hermitage, MO 65668

Phone

(417) 745-2138

Email

No direct public email posted on reviewed official pages , contact form on staff page

Website

https://hickorycountyhealth.org/environmental-health/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project is in unincorporated Hickory County and is not served by an incorporated municipal or public sewer system
2. Obtain the county wastewater permit form from the health department website or office
3. Prepare the required site sketch and legal description. The ordinance requires a completed site evaluation/sketch for individual systems and a detailed design for commercial systems under 3,000 GPD
4. Identify a registered installer unless the homeowner is installing or repairing the system serving the homeowner's permanent residence under the owner exception
5. Submit the signed permit application and fee to the Hickory County Health Department
6. Wait for department review and approval of system type and capacity under current Missouri Department of Health standards
7. Construct the system, then obtain final approval before completion/operation

Typical processing time: No public turnaround estimate found

Source: Hickory County Health Department, Environmental Health

General Requirements

Any construction, installation, renovation, or modification of wastewater treatment facilities under 3,000 GPD requires a county construction permit, unless an ordinance exemption applies

Required Documents

• When a permit is required: Any construction, installation, renovation, or modification of wastewater treatment facilities under 3,000 GPD requires a county construction permit, unless an ordinance exemption applies
• Required documents: Signed permit application; legal description to nearest quarter-quarter section; site evaluation information and sketch for individual systems; detailed design for commercial systems under 3,000 GPD; installer name/signature; site diagram showing utilities, property lines, topography, setbacks, easements, buildings, slope, roads, and well
• Permit validity/expiration: The ordinance prohibits construction when a permit has expired, but the reviewed public copy did not state a numeric permit term
• Owner-builder rules if available: A homeowner does not have to be county-registered to install, add to, alter, or repair the private wastewater system serving the homeowner's permanent residence, but still must obtain a permit when repairs are required due to a valid complaint
• Contractor license requirements: Installers, contractors, tank cleaners, and engineers working under the ordinance must register with the county health officer; installer training is required every two years
• Building code adopted: County wastewater ordinance requires approval consistent with current Missouri Department of Health standards, particularly 10 CSR 20-8.021. No broader county building code office was identified in reviewed public sources

Permit validity

The ordinance prohibits construction when a permit has expired, but the reviewed public copy did not state a numeric permit term

Building code

County wastewater ordinance requires approval consistent with current Missouri Department of Health standards, particularly 10 CSR 20-8.021. No broader county building code office was identified in reviewed public sources

Owner-builder

A homeowner does not have to be county-registered to install, add to, alter, or repair the private wastewater system serving the homeowner's permanent residence, but still must obtain a permit when repairs are required due to a valid complaint

Contractor requirements

Installers, contractors, tank cleaners, and engineers working under the ordinance must register with the county health officer; installer training is required every two years

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$125.00 for a single-family dwelling wastewater permit

Plan check fee

No separate public plan-check fee listed; review appears included in permit fee

Permit fee formula

Flat fee. Single-family dwelling permit $125.00; non-single-family permit $200.00; operating permit $25.00 annually; installer/engineer/contractor/tank-cleaner registration $50.00 annually; lending-institution inspection $50.00

Reinspection fee

No public reinspection fee found. Violations may be prosecuted as misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 per violation, and each day may be treated as a separate offense

Payment note

Fees are nonrefundable, nontransferable, and due on application submission

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Hickory County Health Department, Environmental Health to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Through Hickory County Health Department Environmental Health staff; office phone and staff page identify the Environmental Public Health Specialist as the septic inspection contact ()

Inspection hours

Health department office hours posted as Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

Typical inspection sequence: Department review before permit issuance, construction by registered installer or qualifying homeowner, then final approval before completion/operation

Additional Resources

• Building code: County wastewater ordinance requires approval consistent with current Missouri Department of Health standards, particularly 10 CSR 20-8.021. No broader county building code office was identified in reviewed public sources
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Missouri Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Missouri Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Missouri hub: Missouri Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Hickory County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hickory County, MO?

Any construction, installation, renovation, or modification of wastewater treatment facilities under 3,000 GPD requires a county construction permit, unless an ordinance exemption applies

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Hickory County, MO?

The minimum permit fee is $125.00 for a single-family dwelling wastewater permit. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee. Single-family dwelling permit $125.00; non-single-family permit $200.00; operating permit $25.00 annually; installer/engineer/contractor/tank-cleaner registration $50.00 annually; lending-institution inspection $50.00. Plan check fee: No separate public plan-check fee listed; review appears included in permit fee.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hickory County, MO?

1. Confirm the project is in unincorporated Hickory County and is not served by an incorporated municipal or public sewer system 2. Obtain the county wastewater permit form from the health department website or office 3. Prepare the required site sketch and legal description. The ordinance requires a completed site evaluation/sketch for individual systems and a detailed design for commercial systems under 3,000 GPD 4. Identify a registered installer unless the homeowner is installing or repairing the system serving the homeowner's permanent residence under the owner exception 5. Submit the signed permit application and fee to the Hickory County Health Department 6. Wait for department review and approval of system type and capacity under current Missouri Department of Health standards 7. Construct the system, then obtain final approval before completion/operation

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

Typical processing time is No public turnaround estimate found.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hickory County, MO?

The following work is generally exempt: Systems with maximum daily sewage flow of 3,000 GPD or more; Wastewater facilities connected to sewage systems operated by or on behalf of an incorporated municipality or incorporated public sewer district within the county; Single-family residence lots of 3 acres or more if all system points are at least 10 feet from property lines and no effluent enters adjoining property, contaminates surface or groundwater, or creates a nuisance; No lot-size exemption applies if the property is adjacent to a lake operated by the Corps of Engineers or by a public utility.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hickory County, MO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Through Hickory County Health Department Environmental Health staff; office phone and staff page identify the Environmental Public Health Specialist as the septic inspection contact.