County Building Permits
Monroe County, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Covers unincorporated Monroe County. The public record reviewed shows a county wastewater and septic permit program and a county clerk payment path for the published building permit fee, but I did not find a full county general building-permit office page for ordinary construction
- Department
- Monroe County Health Department, Environmental Health, for septic and wastewater permits; Monroe County Clerk collects the published building permit fee
- Address
- Health Department, 310 North Market Street, Paris, MO 65275; County Clerk, 300 North Main St., Room 204, Paris, MO 65275
- Phone
- Health Department 660-327-4653 or 660-327-4259; County Clerk 877-433-3061 x420
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Not applicable • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm whether the project needs septic/wastewater approval, floodplain review, driveway access review, or another county-specific signoff
- For septic systems, complete the application and pay the permit fee to the Monroe County Health Department
- The health department performs the initial inspection and then a final evaluation when the work is complete
- For any county building fee that applies, pay the published fee at the Monroe County Clerk's Office
- Follow any county instructions for setbacks, construction limits, or completion approval before occupancy
Typical processing time: Not publicly posted
General Requirements
The county says no person shall construct, install, modify, or operate a wastewater treatment system without the required permit; systems existing when the ordinance was adopted in 1986 are grandfathered unless they become a nuisance or need modification
Required Documents
- When a permit is required: The county says no person shall construct, install, modify, or operate a wastewater treatment system without the required permit; systems existing when the ordinance was adopted in 1986 are grandfathered unless they become a nuisance or need modification
- Required documents: Application, fee payment, and any setback or design information required by the health department
- Permit validity/expiration: Not publicly posted
- Owner-builder rules if available: A landowner may install a wastewater treatment system, but a registered Missouri installer is recommended
- Contractor license requirements: For wastewater systems, the county recommends a registered installer in Missouri
- Building code adopted: The public record reviewed did not identify a countywide general building code adoption for ordinary private construction; the county wastewater ordinance has been in place since 1986
- Permit validity
- Not publicly posted
- Building code
- The public record reviewed did not identify a countywide general building code adoption for ordinary private construction; the county wastewater ordinance has been in place since 1986
- Owner-builder
- A landowner may install a wastewater treatment system, but a registered Missouri installer is recommended
- Contractor requirements
- For wastewater systems, the county recommends a registered installer in Missouri
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Septic system permit fee is $150.00
- Plan check fee
- Not publicly posted
- Permit fee formula
- Septic fee is flat; the page also states building permit fees are $60.00, payable at the County Clerk's Office
- Reinspection fee
- Not publicly posted
- Payment note
- Septic permit fee is payable to the Monroe County Health Department; the published building permit fee is payable at the Monroe County Clerk's Office
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Monroe County Health Department, Environmental Health, for septic and wastewater permits; Monroe County Clerk collects the published building permit fee to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact the Monroe County Health Department ()
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Initial inspection, then final evaluation after completion
Additional Resources
- Building code: The public record reviewed did not identify a countywide general building code adoption for ordinary private construction; the county wastewater ordinance has been in place since 1986
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- monroecountymo.gov
- and
- 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 Monroe County Health Department, Environmental Health, for septic and wastewater permits; Monroe County Clerk collects the published building permit fee before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monroe County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, MO?
- The county says no person shall construct, install, modify, or operate a wastewater treatment system without the required permit; systems existing when the ordinance was adopted in 1986 are grandfathered unless they become a nuisance or need modification
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Monroe County, MO?
- The minimum permit fee is Septic system permit fee is $150.00. Fees are calculated as: Septic fee is flat; the page also states building permit fees are $60.00, payable at the County Clerk's Office. Plan check fee: Not publicly posted.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, MO?
- 1. Confirm whether the project needs septic/wastewater approval, floodplain review, driveway access review, or another county-specific signoff 2. For septic systems, complete the application and pay the permit fee to the Monroe County Health Department 3. The health department performs the initial inspection and then a final evaluation when the work is complete 4. For any county building fee that applies, pay the published fee at the Monroe County Clerk's Office 5. Follow any county instructions for setbacks, construction limits, or completion approval before occupancy
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, MO?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly posted.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Monroe County, MO?
- The following work is generally exempt: Systems in use when the county wastewater ordinance was adopted in 1986 are grandfathered and do not require a permit unless the system becomes a nuisance or needs modification; The public page does not provide a broader exempt-work list for ordinary building permits.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Monroe County, MO?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact the Monroe County Health Department.
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