Howell County’s government posts no building permit, building code or zoning for unincorporated land; the County Commission’s published duties are county property, roads and bridges. Septic systems are permitted by the Howell County Health Department, 180 Kentucky St., West Plains (417-256-7078). West Plains, Willow Springs and Mountain View each require a city building permit; Brandsville publishes no building rules online.
Howell County building department: who handles permitting
The County Commission meets on Mondays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 35 Court Square, Room 302, West Plains (417-256-3872). Emergency management is at 35 Court Square, Suite 203 (417-255-0515). The state’s floodplain directory names no county floodplain administrator, and FEMA lists Howell County among communities that do not take part in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| West Plains (12,780) | City Building and Development, City Hall, 1910 Holiday Lane (417-256-7176): 2021 International codes and 2020 National Electrical Code; a house permit is $150 for the first 1,000 sq ft plus $0.075 per extra sq ft |
| Mountain View (2,661) | City Hall, 126 N. Oak St. (417-934-2601): the city requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, repair, additions, demolition and changes of occupancy; its permit page says the process is under review (Bill 1472, Ordinance 1799 on building permits, was on the Board’s January 13, 2026 agenda), so ask City Hall for the current form and fee. City Hall also handles floodplain questions |
| Willow Springs (2,211) | City Building Official, appointed by the mayor; City Hall, 900 W. Main St. (417-469-2107); the code adopts the 2006 International Building and Residential Codes and the 2005 National Electrical Code |
| Brandsville (129) | The published sources do not say; ask the city. FEMA lists Brandsville as not participating in the flood insurance program |
| Unincorporated county | No county building permit is posted; septic permits from the Howell County Health Department |
Permit costs in Howell County
Septic: the Health Department’s page asks for a $90 permit fee before work starts. The state health department suspended its onsite sewage application fees on August 28, 2026 until new ones are set, so confirm the charge with the office.
Willow Springs (City Code Section 500.110, as amended by Ordinance 1651 on December 19, 2025):
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Work | Fee |
|---|---|
| New house | $75 |
| Garage, shop or outbuilding | $40 |
| Deck, siding, water heater, fence, roof, electrical, heating and air, carport, plumbing, asphalt driveway or exterior concrete | $25 |
| Commercial building | $150 |
| New construction on an existing pad | $40 |
| Remodeling | $40 |
| House moving | $75 plus the city’s actual cost |
| Demolition | $50 |
| Sign | $40 |
Portable structures need no permit in Willow Springs, and starting work before getting a permit doubles the fee.
Septic and floodplain rules
When a septic permit is needed: the Health Department requires one for a single-family home on less than 3 acres, for every business and for major repairs or changes to an existing system. Applications are picked up at its office; a state-approved soil evaluator must test the soil and a registered installer must build the system. Its page says a home on 3 acres or more needs no permit but must still use a registered installer unless the owner installs the whole system. State law (RSMo 701.031) attaches conditions to that 3-acre exemption: the entire system must sit more than 10 feet from every property line, and no effluent may reach a neighbour, contaminate water or cause a nuisance. The Health Department also serves the City of West Plains.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Floodplain: West Plains (map April 7, 2021), Mountain View and Willow Springs (maps July 4, 2011) take part in the National Flood Insurance Program, and Willow Springs zones flood-prone land in an S-1 Flood Plain District. The county and Brandsville do not participate.
Starting a project in Howell County
Check whether the site is inside West Plains, Willow Springs, Mountain View or Brandsville.
Hire a state-approved soil evaluator and pick up the application at the Health Department before the installer starts.
Call the city before you build: West Plains Building and Development, Willow Springs City Hall or Mountain View City Hall.
In Willow Springs the fee doubles if work begins without a permit.
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
Howell County permit FAQs
Rather not deal with the Howell County building department?
Get a free quote →Does Howell County, Missouri require a building permit?
The county posts no building permit or zoning for unincorporated land. Septic systems need a Health Department permit in the cases it lists, and West Plains, Willow Springs and Mountain View require city permits.
Who issues septic permits in Howell County?
The Howell County Health Department, 180 Kentucky St., West Plains (417-256-7078), under contract with the state.
Do I need a septic permit on 3 acres or more?
Not for a single-family home that meets the state’s conditions, but a registered installer must still build it unless the owner does all of the work.
How much is a building permit in Willow Springs?
$75 for a new house, $40 for a garage or outbuilding, $25 for smaller jobs such as decks, roofs and fences, and $150 for a commercial building.
Do I need a building permit in Mountain View?
Yes, for most construction, alterations, repairs, additions, demolition and changes of occupancy. The city says its permit process is under review, so call City Hall at 417-934-2601 for the current form.
Who handles building permits in West Plains?
The city’s Building and Development department at City Hall, 1910 Holiday Lane (417-256-7176).
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Howell County permit search and official resources
- Howell County Commission
- Howell County Health Department environmental health and septic permits
- Missouri DHSS septic (OWTS) permit authority by county
- SEMA floodplain and emergency contacts, Howell County
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
- City of Willow Springs administration
- City of Willow Springs code, including building permit fees
- City of Mountain View building permits
- City of Mountain View City Hall
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More Missouri permitting guides
West Plains
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Read guide →Jackson County Building Permit Guide
Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Howell County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.