Lawrence County states on its planning page that it has no zoning, no building codes and no building permits in its unincorporated areas, and that it issues no certificates of occupancy. A county permit is needed for a septic system, from the Lawrence County Health Department in Mount Vernon, and the county floodplain administrator handles development in mapped flood areas. Aurora, Mount Vernon, Monett, Marionville, Verona and the other cities run their own building permits.
County permits on unincorporated land
| Work | County rule |
|---|---|
| New house, addition, barn or commercial building | No county building permit, building code or zoning; no certificate of occupancy |
| Septic tank system | Permit from the Lawrence County Health Department, 1549 Missouri Dr., Mount Vernon, 417-466-2201 |
| Building, filling, grading or excavation in a special flood hazard area | Floodplain Development Permit/Application to the county floodplain administrator (FloodplainAdmin@lawrencecountymo.gov) |
| New 911 address | Request through the Office of Emergency Management, 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Mount Vernon, 417-461-1077 |
| Cell tower construction or repair | No county permit |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →The county’s planning page says the septic permit is the only county permit; the floodplain permit applies to development in the mapped flood areas. In a designated floodway, the floodplain administrator needs certification that the project will cause no increase in the base flood elevation before issuing the permit, and the as-built lowest floor of a new or substantially improved building must be certified by a registered engineer, architect or land surveyor. The county’s roads page lists two common road districts overseen by the commissioners and 13 special road districts, each an independent entity with its own elected board; road and culvert questions go to the district that maintains the road.
Building permits in Lawrence County’s cities
10 cities and villages lie at least partly in the county:
| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Aurora (7,686) | City Building Official, appointed by the City Manager; the state lists the city’s floodplain contact at 2 W. Pleasant St., 417-678-5121; 2018 International Building Code |
| Mount Vernon (4,835) | Building and Code Enforcement Department, City Hall, 109 N. Hickory St., 417-466-2167; 2012 International Codes and 2011 National Electrical Code |
| Monett (3,680 in Lawrence; 6,568 in Barry County) | Community Development Department (Building & Zoning), 508 Bond St., 417-235-5306 option 2, for both county sides of the city |
| Marionville (2,108) | City Hall, 107 S. Central, 417-258-2466; 2012 International Codes and 2011 National Electrical Code; no permit without a Lawrence County 911 address |
| Pierce City (1,275) | City Hall, 417-476-2323; the city’s 1960 building chapter sends plans to the Fire Chief, who issues the permit |
| Miller (715) | City Clerk, City Hall 417-452-3371, who calls in the Building Inspector after a $100 down-payment; 1996 BOCA National Building Code, with inspections billed at $50 an hour plus mileage |
| Verona (520) | City Building Inspector; applications go to the Building Inspector or City Clerk; 2024 International Building Code (December 16, 2025) and 2014 National Electrical Code |
| Freistatt (182) | No village permit program is published; the state lists an emergency management contact at 120 W. 3rd St., Freistatt, 620-778-4239 |
| Stotts City (175), Halltown (105) | The published sources do not say who permits building work; ask the city or village clerk |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Lawrence County septic and city permit fees
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Septic permit, residential (county) | $150 |
| Septic permit, commercial (county) | $300 since January 1, 2026 |
| Septic system repair, residential or commercial | $50 |
| Aurora, new or remodeled home | $0.15 per sq ft; garages and outbuildings $0.07 per sq ft; residential plan review $25 |
| Aurora, commercial or industrial | $4 per $1,000 of project valuation |
| Marionville, new home | $0.20 per sq ft; residential remodel $1 per $1,000, $35 minimum |
| Mount Vernon | $25 minimum permit; other fees on the city’s schedule |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →The ordinance’s fee exhibit, marked “Updated 2025,” still shows $200 for a commercial septic permit; the Commission raised it to $300 on July 10, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, so budget the higher figure. In Aurora, a 2,000 sq ft house is charged 2,000 × $0.15, or $300, plus the $25 residential plan review.
Septic rules and flood maps
Septic systems: the Lawrence County Health Department administers the county wastewater ordinance, which the Commission updated on November 27, 2024. Contact the department before installing, modifying or repairing a system; installers, pumpers and soil scientists pay a $50 registration fee, and the Health Officer may waive the permit or repair fee for a single-family home if the applicant proves undue hardship.
Flood maps: Lawrence County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program with maps dated August 2, 2012, as do Aurora, Marionville, Monett, Mount Vernon, Pierce City and Verona. FEMA lists Halltown and Stotts City as not participating.
Rather not deal with the Lawrence 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
Lawrence County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lawrence County, Missouri?
No. The county has no building code, zoning or building permit outside the cities, and it does not issue certificates of occupancy.
What permits does Lawrence County require?
A septic permit from the county Health Department, and a floodplain development permit for development in a mapped special flood hazard area.
How much is a septic permit in Lawrence County?
$150 for a residence and $300 for a commercial system since January 1, 2026; repairs are $50.
How do I get a 911 address?
Use the address request form from the county Office of Emergency Management (417-461-1077).
Who issues building permits in Mount Vernon?
The City’s Building and Code Enforcement Department (417-466-2167), under the 2012 International Codes.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Lawrence County permit search and official resources
- Lawrence County planning and zoning statement
- Lawrence County Emergency Management (911 addresses, floodplain form)
- Lawrence County floodplain development permit application
- Lawrence County wastewater treatment systems ordinance
- Lawrence County Health Department
- Lawrence County Commission
- Lawrence County Commission minutes
- Lawrence County road districts
- SEMA floodplain and emergency contacts, Lawrence County
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
- City of Mount Vernon building and code enforcement
- City of Aurora code of ordinances
- City of Marionville code of ordinances
- City of Verona code of ordinances
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lawrence County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.