County Building Permits
Ralls County, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ralls County, Missouri. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Ralls County
- Department
- Ralls County Planning and Zoning
- Address
- Ralls County Courthouse, 311 S. Main Street, New London, MO 63459
- Phone
- 573-822-4608
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact the Administrative Officer and obtain a waste water permit / construction permit application
- Complete the application with owner/applicant details, legal description, site sketch, and sewage system details
- The Administrative Officer checks zoning compliance and other applicable laws
- If compliant, the permit is issued after the fee is collected
- The permit is valid for one year if no work commences
Typical processing time: The ordinance says the permit should be issued within 30 days after requirements are met
Source: Ralls County Planning and Zoning
General Requirements
New buildings, additions, and land use changes in unincorporated Ralls County
Required Documents
- When a permit is required: New buildings, additions, and land use changes in unincorporated Ralls County
- Required documents: Application, owner/applicant names and addresses, legal description, property sketch, sewage system details
- Permit validity/expiration: 1 year; expires if no work starts within 1 year
- Owner-builder rules if available: Owner, lessee, agent, architect, engineer, or contractor may apply
- Contractor license requirements: No county license program found in public sources
- Building code adopted: County zoning order and wastewater rules; no single countywide building code was found
- Permit validity
- 1 year; expires if no work starts within 1 year
- Building code
- County zoning order and wastewater rules; no single countywide building code was found
- Owner-builder
- Owner, lessee, agent, architect, engineer, or contractor may apply
- Contractor requirements
- No county license program found in public sources
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $25 agricultural; $50 accessory building; $100 addition; $250 residential construction
- Plan check fee
- No separate public plan check fee found
- Permit fee formula
- Flat schedule by permit type
- Reinspection fee
- Construction without permit fine is double the permit fee; returned check fee is $20
- Payment note
- Checks only, payable to Ralls County Treasurer
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Ralls County Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Applications are by appointment only; no online scheduler found ()
- Inspection hours
- Courthouse hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Permit review, issuance, site compliance review, then certificate of occupancy
Additional Resources
- Building code: County zoning order and wastewater rules; no single countywide building code was found
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- rallscountymo.gov
- 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 Ralls County Planning and Zoning before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ralls County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Ralls County, MO?
- New buildings, additions, and land use changes in unincorporated Ralls County
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Ralls County, MO?
- The minimum permit fee is $25 agricultural; $50 accessory building; $100 addition; $250 residential construction. Fees are calculated as: Flat schedule by permit type. Plan check fee: No separate public plan check fee found.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ralls County, MO?
- 1. Contact the Administrative Officer and obtain a waste water permit / construction permit application 2. Complete the application with owner/applicant details, legal description, site sketch, and sewage system details 3. The Administrative Officer checks zoning compliance and other applicable laws 4. If compliant, the permit is issued after the fee is collected 5. The permit is valid for one year if no work commences
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Ralls County, MO?
- Typical processing time is The ordinance says the permit should be issued within 30 days after requirements are met.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Ralls County, MO?
- The following work is generally exempt: Farm buildings/structures without plumbing for sewage removal; Land used for crops, pasture, livestock, orchards, or forestry; Residential extensions without sewage plumbing; Garages without sewage plumbing; Structures tied directly into a DNR-regulated central sewer system; Accessory buildings under 100 square feet.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Ralls County, MO?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Applications are by appointment only; no online scheduler found.
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