Callaway County, Missouri Building Permit Guide

Callaway County has not adopted planning or zoning, and the County Commission states that no building or occupancy permits are required in its unincorporated areas. What the county does regulate is sewage systems, building in mapped flood areas, lines crossing county roads and 911 addresses. Fulton, Holts Summit, Auxvasse, New Bloomfield and the other cities set their own permit rules inside their limits.

Callaway County building department: who handles permitting

Outside the cities, nobody issues a building permit: the County Commission’s signed planning and zoning letter, current for 2026, says the county has not adopted planning or zoning and that building and occupancy permits are not required in unincorporated areas. The Commission’s office is at 10 East 5th Street, Room 301, Fulton (573-642-0737).

The same letter names the cities and villages that may have their own zoning, building or occupancy permits. It also lists Lake Mykee, which FEMA’s Community Status Book records as disincorporated. Populations below are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.

What the county does require

The Callaway County Health Department (573-642-6881) runs the county’s food and lodging ordinances, which matter for restaurants, food businesses and lodging.

Septic, floodplain and addressing rules

Septic systems: the Commission’s 2026 letter sends sewage ordinance and permit questions to the Callaway Sewer District at 573-491-1118 (leave a message). The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services lists Callaway County as a local authority with its own onsite wastewater ordinance, so the county’s rules may go beyond the state minimum.

Floodplain: Callaway County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program on flood maps dated September 5, 2012, and Callaway County Emergency Management handles the floodplain ordinance and permits (573-592-2480). Under Floodplain Management Ordinance 44CFR-21 of October 28, 2021, a new or substantially improved home in a mapped flood area must have its lowest floor, including any basement, 2 ft above the base flood elevation, certified by a Missouri-licensed land surveyor, engineer or architect. Non-residential buildings must be raised to the same height or floodproofed, with an engineer’s or architect’s certification. Inside the county, FEMA lists Fulton, Holts Summit, Jefferson City, Kingdom City and Mokane as participating, while New Bloomfield is in its list of communities not participating.

Addresses and driveways: under the road naming and 911 addressing ordinance approved on January 13, 2026, the county is the addressing authority and every home and business building must have an address. No address is approved until the owner meets the county’s road specifications, including Appendix B on driveway locations and culverts.

Building on unincorporated land in Callaway County

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

Callaway County permit FAQs

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Callaway County?

No. The County Commission states that building and occupancy permits are not required outside the incorporated cities and villages, and the county has no planning or zoning.

Who issues septic permits in Callaway County?

The Commission’s 2026 letter directs sewage ordinance and permit questions to the Callaway Sewer District at 573-491-1118.

How high must a house be built in a Callaway County flood zone?

The lowest floor, including any basement, must be 2 ft above the base flood elevation and certified by a Missouri-licensed surveyor, engineer or architect, and a floodplain development permit is needed from Emergency Management.

Who issues building permits in Fulton?

The City of Fulton’s Planning and Protective Services office at City Hall, 18 E. 4th Street (573-592-3111), under the 2015 International Codes.

Do I need a permit for a shed in New Bloomfield?

Yes if it has more than 100 sq ft of usable floor space; decks, patios and concrete pads are not counted. Permits come from New Bloomfield City Hall.

How do I get an address for a new house?

Callaway County assigns 911 addresses, but only after the driveway and culvert meet the county road specifications.

Callaway County permit search and official resources

• Callaway County planning and zoning information
• Callaway County Commission letter, planning and zoning current as of 2026
• Callaway County Floodplain Management Ordinance 44CFR-21 (2021)
• Callaway County road naming and 911 addressing ordinance (January 2026)
• Callaway County ordinances, policies and resolutions
• Missouri DHSS onsite wastewater permitting authority by county
• SEMA emergency management and floodplain contacts, Callaway County
• FEMA Community Status Book, Missouri
• City of Fulton Public Works and building permits
• City of Holts Summit code of ordinances
• City of New Bloomfield ordinances, including building permits
• Village of Kingdom City building regulations (Chapter 500)
• City of Jefferson building permits

Simplify Callaway 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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Callaway County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.