Butler County publishes no building code or county building permit. Inside Poplar Bluff, permits come from the City’s Planning Department at City Hall, 501 Vine St. (573-686-8615), under the 2018 International Codes. On unincorporated land the county’s Road & Bridge Department handles approach encroachments, utility encroachments and road reviews for subdivisions, a contract engineer serves as county floodplain administrator, and septic permits come from the state health department.
Butler County building department: who handles permitting
The courthouse is at 100 N. Main St., Poplar Bluff. The County Commission (573-686-8081) is the governing body; the County Clerk’s office is at 573-686-8050 and Emergency Management at 573-686-8686.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Poplar Bluff (16,295) | City Planning Department, City Hall, 501 Vine St., 573-686-8615; the Building Inspector (573-686-8614) reviews applications and inspects. 2018 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire and Existing Building Codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code |
| Qulin (466), Neelyville (312), Fisk (309) | No town code or permit form is published online; ask the city hall before building. City floodplain contacts listed by SEMA: Qulin 573-850-4099, Neelyville 573-300-9294, Fisk 573-967-3810 |
What permits cost in Butler County
The county publishes no building permit fee. In Poplar Bluff, alterations cost $4 per $1,000 of estimated cost and new commercial buildings 0.37% of project cost, with separate electrical, plumbing and HVAC permits. The state septic application fee has been suspended since August 28, 2026, until new fees are set.
Roads, floodplain and septic on county land
County roads: the Road & Bridge Department’s road crew handles encroachments for utility installations, approach (driveway) encroachments and road reviews for subdivisions, and its bridge crew maintains county bridges and culverts.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Floodplain: Butler County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program with flood maps dated November 26, 2010, as do Fisk, Neelyville, Poplar Bluff and Qulin. The state emergency agency lists a contract engineering office at 901 Vine St., Poplar Bluff (573-785-9621), as the county’s floodplain administrator; Poplar Bluff’s City Planner handles floodplain work inside the city, where a new home’s lowest floor must be 1 foot above base flood elevation.
Septic systems: the state health department’s directory names its own Onsite Wastewater Treatment program (573-751-6095 ext. 5) as the permitting authority for Butler County; request an application number before installing or repairing a system. The Butler County Health Department, 1619 N. Main St. (573-785-8478), offers septic maintenance information.
Starting a project in Butler County
A Poplar Bluff mailing address can cover county land; check whether the lot is inside city limits.
Apply to the Planning Department and book inspections with the Building Inspector; trade work needs its own permits.
Arrange any road approach with the county Road & Bridge Department and check the flood map before building.
Request a state application number before installing or repairing a system.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Missouri building code
Missouri has no mandatory statewide building code for private construction: a county, fire protection district or municipality may adopt one (usually by reference under RSMo 67.280), and in parts of the state none has. Building codes in Missouri
Butler County permit FAQs
Does Butler County, Missouri issue building permits?
The county publishes no building code or building permit. Poplar Bluff handles building permits inside its limits; in Qulin, Neelyville and Fisk, ask the city hall.
Where do I get a building permit in Poplar Bluff?
At the City Planning Department, City Hall, 501 Vine St. (573-686-8615); the Building Inspector is at 573-686-8614.
Who handles driveway approaches onto Butler County roads?
The county Road & Bridge Department, whose road crew handles approach and utility encroachments.
Rather not deal with the Butler County building department?
Get a free quote →Who issues septic permits in Butler County?
The state health department’s onsite wastewater program, not the county health department.
Is Butler County in the flood insurance program?
Yes. The county and its four cities take part, with flood maps dated November 26, 2010.
Butler County permit search and official resources
- Butler County phone directory
- Butler County Road & Bridge Department
- Butler County Commissioners
- Missouri DHSS septic (OWTS) permit authority by county
- Butler County Health Department
- SEMA emergency and floodplain contacts, Butler County
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Simplify Butler County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Missouri. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Ready to break ground in Butler County sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your Butler County permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Missouri permitting guides
Poplar Bluff
Read guide →Clay County
Read guide →Greene County
Read guide →Callaway County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Camden County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Cape Girardeau Building Permit Guide
Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Butler County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.