Dallas County publishes no building code or county building permit. In Buffalo, the City Building Department at City Hall, 115 S. Maple (417-345-2701), requires a permit and inspections for construction inside city limits, under the 2018 International Codes; a new house costs $0.20 per sq ft above ground. On county land the state lists a floodplain contact at 102 S. Cedar St., and the Dallas County Health Department permits septic systems.
Dallas County building department: who handles permitting
The state emergency agency lists the county’s floodplain administrator at 102 S. Cedar St., Buffalo (417-345-2632), and the county emergency management director at 724 W. Jefferson (417-383-5051). Three towns lie in the county:
| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Buffalo (3,550) | City Building Department and Building Inspector, City Hall, 115 S. Maple, 417-345-2701; apply at City Hall or online |
| Urbana (411) | The state lists a city floodplain contact at 110 E. Broadway (417-993-4228); ask the city about building permits |
| Louisburg (140) | No village code or permit form is published online; ask the village clerk before building |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Building permits in Buffalo
Buffalo’s Chapter 520 adopts the 2018 International Building, Residential and Fire Codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code (Ordinance 19-18, July 2019). Every permit except roofing, remodel and electrical work needs a plot plan. Hand-drawn plans are enough for houses and simple remodels; new commercial buildings need an engineered plan set. The Building Inspector reviews the application, the City sends an invoice, and the fee can be paid online.
| Work | Fee |
|---|---|
| New house or duplex, floor area above ground | $0.20 per sq ft |
| Basement with walls at least 8 ft below ground | $0.15 per sq ft |
| Remodeling; roof or electrical only; solar | $70; $40; $60 |
| Portable building | $20 |
| Minimum residential fee | $30 |
| New commercial building | $0.35 per sq ft ($100 minimum), plus a $30 plan review fee |
| Re-inspection after two free ones | $15 each |
| Mobile home placement | $150 |
| Fence needing a permit | $10 plus an installation plan |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →For example, a 2,000 sq ft house built entirely above ground pays 2,000 × $0.20 = $400. Starting before the permit doubles the fee, and a hired contractor who skips a permit or inspection pays $100, then $250, then $500. Chain-link fences of 48 inches or less and wood fences of 36 inches or less need no permit; front-yard privacy fences may not exceed 36 inches.
Inspections in Buffalo
Call the Building Inspector in good time to book each inspection: footings and foundations before concrete, temporary electric, plumbing, mechanical and electrical rough-ins before anything is covered, framing, the sewer connection (checked by the sewer supervisor), permanent electric and the final. Nobody may move in before the final inspection.
Septic and floodplain in Dallas County
Septic systems: the state health department lists the Dallas County Health Department, 1011 W. Main, Buffalo (417-345-2332), as the permitting authority under a county ordinance. The department requires a permit before any new system or change and says new construction, repairs and replacements must be done by a registered installer; it also tests well water for $20. The state says its onsite application fees are on hold from August 28, 2026 under the amended section 701.046 RSMo; ask the department what it charges.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Floodplain: Dallas County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program with flood maps dated April 19, 2010. Buffalo uses the county’s flood map panel, and Urbana also takes part.
Starting a project in Dallas County
Check whether the lot is inside Buffalo, Urbana or Louisburg, or on county land.
Get the Health Department permit and a registered installer before any onsite system work.
On county land, ask the county floodplain contact (417-345-2632) before building near a stream.
Apply with a plot plan, wait for the invoice, pay, and call the Building Inspector for each inspection.
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
Dallas County permit FAQs
Rather not deal with the Dallas County building department?
Get a free quote →Does Dallas County, Missouri require a building permit?
No county building permit or building code is published. Buffalo permits construction inside its limits; in Urbana and Louisburg, ask the town.
How much is a building permit for a house in Buffalo?
$0.20 per sq ft of floor above ground and $0.15 per sq ft of basement, with a $30 minimum; a 2,000 sq ft house pays $400.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Buffalo?
Not for chain-link up to 48 inches or wood up to 36 inches; other fences need a $10 permit and a plan.
Which codes apply in Buffalo?
The 2018 International Building, Residential and Fire Codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code.
Who permits septic systems in Dallas County?
The Dallas County Health Department, 1011 W. Main, Buffalo (417-345-2332), under a county ordinance.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Dallas County permit search and official resources
- Dallas County Health Department environmental health
- Missouri DHSS septic (OWTS) permit authority by county
- SEMA emergency and floodplain contacts, Dallas County
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
- City of Buffalo Building Department
- City of Buffalo residential construction guidelines and checklists
- City of Buffalo plot plan instructions
- City of Buffalo City Code (2025)
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Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →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.
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More Missouri permitting guides
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Read guide →Perry County
Read guide →Crawford County
Read guide →Dardenne Prairie Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Dent County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →Douglas County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Dallas County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.