Ray County Planning and Zoning, MO - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Countywide planning/zoning and the confirmed permit path for unincorporated Ray County parcels; also handles county driveway, floodplain, septic, sign, solar, ROW, and related applications

Department

Ray County Planning and Zoning

Address

Ray County Courthouse, 100 West Main St, Ste 16, Richmond, MO 64085

Phone

816-776-5398

Email

pz@pz.raycountymo.gov

Website

https://raycountymo.com/index.php/county-planning-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the parcel is already platted and whether the project is inside unincorporated Ray County
2. Contact Planning and Zoning by phone or email to confirm the correct application path and appointment timing
3. Submit the building permit application and any related platting, driveway, floodplain, septic, ROW, or variance forms
4. Provide required supporting plans, legal authority to act, and payment by exact cash or check
5. If platting is required, attend Planning and Zoning Board review and then county commission/county clerk signoff
6. Pull the building permit before construction starts, then schedule inspections as required

Typical processing time: Board review is typically the first Monday of the month; plat paperwork must be submitted the first week of the prior month and the county gives 15 days written notice to neighbors. No general building-permit turnaround time was published

Source: Ray County Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

County application material states permits are required for building work under county zoning regulations; building permit fee applies to residential and garage/outbuilding work, and other county permits cover driveway, septic, floodplain, signs, solar, and ROW matters

Required Documents

• When a permit is required: County application material states permits are required for building work under county zoning regulations; building permit fee applies to residential and garage/outbuilding work, and other county permits cover driveway, septic, floodplain, signs, solar, and ROW matters
• Required documents: Application form, site/parcel information, survey/plat when needed, legal deed authority, site diagram, and project specifics; exact package depends on the permit type
• Permit validity/expiration: No general county permit validity period was found in the public material reviewed
• Owner-builder rules if available: Applications may be filed by the record owner, a purchaser under contract for sale, or a duly authorized agent
• Contractor license requirements: Septic installer must be certified with the State of Missouri per the county info sheet; no broader county contractor-license rule was clearly published on the reviewed pages
• Building code adopted: No countywide building-code adoption page was clearly published on the reviewed pages; public documents reviewed focus on zoning and permit administration rather than a published county building code

Permit validity

No general county permit validity period was found in the public material reviewed

Building code

No countywide building-code adoption page was clearly published on the reviewed pages; public documents reviewed focus on zoning and permit administration rather than a published county building code

Owner-builder

Applications may be filed by the record owner, a purchaser under contract for sale, or a duly authorized agent

Contractor requirements

Septic installer must be certified with the State of Missouri per the county info sheet; no broader county contractor-license rule was clearly published on the reviewed pages

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permit fee is stated as $0.40 per square foot of livable space for residential use; garage/outbuilding permit fee is $150; agricultural-use building permit fee is $0.00

Plan check fee

No separate plan-check fee was clearly published in the reviewed materials

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Residential building permit is square-foot based; driveway permit is flat $150; platting, septic, and zoning-related fees are flat or formula-based

Reinspection fee

Final inspection fee listed at $60 for certain county permits; penalties of $250 up to $1,000 may be assessed for work started before pulling a permit

Payment note

Cash or check only; county site says exact cash or check for permit applications

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Ray County Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Contact the county planning and zoning office by phone or email; public material says inspections are administered through the office ()

Inspection hours

County office hours shown on the planning and zoning page are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; by appointment only is also stated

Typical inspection sequence: County info sheet lists footing, rough-in, and final inspections for residential work

Additional Resources

• Building code: No countywide building-code adoption page was clearly published on the reviewed pages; public documents reviewed focus on zoning and permit administration rather than a published county building code
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• raycountymo.com
• raycountymo.com
• License lookup guide: Missouri Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Missouri Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Missouri hub: Missouri Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Ray County Planning and Zoning Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Ray County Planning and Zoning, MO?

County application material states permits are required for building work under county zoning regulations; building permit fee applies to residential and garage/outbuilding work, and other county permits cover driveway, septic, floodplain, signs, solar, and ROW matters

How much does a building permit cost in Ray County Planning and Zoning, MO?

The minimum permit fee is Building permit fee is stated as $0.40 per square foot of livable space for residential use; garage/outbuilding permit fee is $150; agricultural-use building permit fee is $0.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential building permit is square-foot based; driveway permit is flat $150; platting, septic, and zoning-related fees are flat or formula-based. Plan check fee: No separate plan-check fee was clearly published in the reviewed materials.

How do I apply for a building permit in Ray County Planning and Zoning, MO?

1. Confirm whether the parcel is already platted and whether the project is inside unincorporated Ray County 2. Contact Planning and Zoning by phone or email to confirm the correct application path and appointment timing 3. Submit the building permit application and any related platting, driveway, floodplain, septic, ROW, or variance forms 4. Provide required supporting plans, legal authority to act, and payment by exact cash or check 5. If platting is required, attend Planning and Zoning Board review and then county commission/county clerk signoff 6. Pull the building permit before construction starts, then schedule inspections as required

How long does it take to get a building permit in Ray County Planning and Zoning, MO?

Typical processing time is Board review is typically the first Monday of the month; plat paperwork must be submitted the first week of the prior month and the county gives 15 days written notice to neighbors. No general building-permit turnaround time was published.

What work is exempt from building permits in Ray County Planning and Zoning, MO?

The following work is generally exempt: No public county exempt-work list was found on the reviewed pages; County materials do note that recreational vehicles or accessory buildings used as dwelling units are prohibited unless an approved hardship permit exists.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Ray County Planning and Zoning, MO?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact the county planning and zoning office by phone or email; public material says inspections are administered through the office.