In a February 3, 2026 letter and on its planning web page, the Johnson County Commission states that the county has no planning and zoning, building codes, building permits, inspections or occupancy certificates for unincorporated land, except in the Whiteman Air Force Base Zoning Area. Rural builders still deal with the county for the address and any floodplain permit (Assessor, 660-747-9822), a driveway permit on a county road, and a septic permit from Johnson County Community Health Services, which costs $250 and normally needs a lot of at least 3 acres. Warrensburg, Knob Noster, Holden and other cities handle permits inside their limits.
Johnson County building department: who handles permitting
The Johnson County Commission (660-747-2112) answers zoning and permit questions for county land, but the county has no building department. City zoning and permit rules apply inside city limits, and the county directs owners to each city hall. Populations are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Warrensburg (20,283) | City Building Inspection Division, Community Development, 102 S. Holden St.; 660-747-9135. 2024 International Codes and 2023 NEC; applications through the City’s online portal |
| Knob Noster (2,997) | City Building Inspector (660-563-0806), City Hall, 201 N. State St. (660-563-2595). The City Code as published on eCode360 adopts the 2003 International Codes (Ordinance 693, December 16, 2003). Permits through the City’s Citizen Portal or a fillable application turned in at City Hall |
| Holden (2,347) | City Hall, 101 W. 3rd St.; (816) 732-4811. The City Clerk sends the building permit package; the 2023 packet lists the 2015 International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fire Codes, and starting without a permit can double the fee |
| Leeton (565) | The City Code has no building code or building permit chapter; it sets driveway culvert sizes, needs Board of Aldermen approval for a culvert on City property, and regulates mobile home parks. City Hall, 108 W. Summerfield; 660-653-4622 |
| Chilhowee (295), Kingsville (251), Centerview (198) | The published sources do not say. The county lists the city halls: Chilhowee 660-678-3738, Kingsville 816-597-0182, Centerview 660-656-3688 |
| Unincorporated Johnson County | No county building permit, inspection or zoning, except Military Airport Zoning Clearance near Whiteman AFB |
Lots in rural subdivisions may carry recorded restrictions and covenants on their use; copies come from the County Recorder.
What the county still requires on unincorporated land
County and health approvals
- Septic permit from Johnson County Community Health Services before a new or modified onsite system is built
- Address and road number from the Assessor’s Office
- Floodplain construction permit from the Assessor’s Office for building in a mapped flood hazard area
- Driveway permit from Road and Bridge for an entrance onto a county-maintained road
- Right-of-way permit from the County Commission for work within 30 ft of the center of a county road or trail
- Military Airport Zoning Clearance for a building of 500 sq ft or more in the Whiteman AFB zoning area
Not issued by the county
- Building permits and construction inspections
- Occupancy certificates
- Zoning permits outside the Whiteman AFB zoning area
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →The Whiteman Air Force Base zoning area
The one place where Johnson County zones land is around Whiteman Air Force Base. The 2015 Military Airport Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, approved by the Commission on March 16, 2015, cover unincorporated land within 3,000 ft of the base and inside its two accident potential zones off the runway ends. There, building, altering or starting to use a building or structure of 500 sq ft or more needs a Military Airport Zoning Clearance from the county’s Zoning Administrator; repairs and improvements that do not conflict with the ordinance are exempt. Some uses need a conditional use permit from the Airport Zoning Commission, and an owner disclosure statement is published for properties in the area.
The Military Airport Zoning Commission meets quarterly at Knob Noster City Hall, 201 N. State St., and is supported by the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission, which publishes the ordinance, an online zoning map viewer and the meeting notices. For questions about the zoning area, call 660-463-7934.
Septic, driveways, right-of-way and flood rules
Septic systems: Johnson County Community Health Services, 723 PCA Road, Warrensburg (660-747-6121 ext. 258), permits and inspects systems of 3,000 gallons a day or less on unincorporated land under the county Code of Health Regulations, revised July 30, 2026. Its 2026 fee schedule charges $250 for a new system or a modification and $100 for a tank replacement, and installers pay a $25 annual fee. A lot to be served by a septic system must have at least 3 acres unless the health department approves a smaller lot case by case on the strength of a site and soil evaluation and system design, and the code allows no acreage exemption. Applications are made online through the department.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Driveways: first check who owns the road. Green numbered road signs mark county roads, which need a driveway, field entrance or road entrance permit from the Road and Bridge Department (660-747-6821); brown signs mark private roads, where access is arranged with the neighbors; state routes go to the Missouri Department of Transportation (660-543-7936); and city streets to the city hall.
Utility lines and other right-of-way work: apply to the County Clerk’s Office, 301 W. Market St., Suite 106 (660-747-6161), at least two weeks before the start date and allow 2 to 4 weeks. After Road and Bridge reviews the work, fees and bonds are paid, the Commission votes, and the signed application serves as the permit.
Flood rules: Johnson County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, with flood maps dated July 4, 2011, and the Assessor’s Office keeps the maps and issues construction permits for flood hazard areas. Holden, Knob Noster, Leeton and Warrensburg also take part.
Steps for building in rural Johnson County
Confirm the lot is outside city limits and whether it falls in the Whiteman AFB zoning area.
Talk to Community Health Services early if the lot is under 3 acres.
Apply online with the site and soil evaluation and pay $250.
Apply to Road and Bridge for the driveway and to the Assessor for the address.
If the site is in a mapped flood hazard area, get the Assessor’s floodplain permit before building.
Rather not deal with the Johnson County building department?
Get a free quote →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
Johnson County permit FAQs
Do I need a county building permit in Johnson County?
No. The county has no building codes, building permits, inspections or occupancy certificates for unincorporated land, except for zoning clearance near Whiteman Air Force Base. Cities such as Warrensburg issue their own permits.
What is the Whiteman AFB zoning area?
Unincorporated land within 3,000 ft of the base and in its accident potential zones. A building of 500 sq ft or more there needs a Military Airport Zoning Clearance; call 660-463-7934.
How much is a septic permit?
$250 for a new system or modification and $100 for a tank replacement, from Johnson County Community Health Services (660-747-6121 ext. 258).
How big must a lot be for a septic system?
At least 3 acres, unless the health department approves a smaller lot after reviewing the site, soils and system design.
Who assigns addresses in rural Johnson County?
The Assessor’s Office, 1310 S. Maguire St., Warrensburg (660-747-9822), which also issues floodplain construction permits.
Who issues building permits in Warrensburg?
The City’s Building Inspection Division in Community Development, 102 S. Holden St. (660-747-9135).
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Johnson County permit search and official resources
- Johnson County planning and zoning information
- Johnson County Commission letter on zoning (February 3, 2026)
- Johnson County driveway permit
- Johnson County right-of-way construction application
- Military Airport Zoning Commission (Pioneer Trails RPC)
- 2015 Military Airport Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations
- Johnson County Community Health Services onsite wastewater
- Johnson County Code of Health Regulations (revised July 30, 2026)
- City of Knob Noster Building Inspector
- City of Holden building permits and inspections
- City of Leeton Code of Ordinances
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Johnson County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.