Livingston County, Missouri Building Permit Guide

Livingston County is a zoned county, and outside the Chillicothe city limits a building permit from the county zoning officer is required before any construction begins. The office is in Suite 3 of the courthouse, 700 Webster Street, Chillicothe (660-646-8000, ext. 102). Inside Chillicothe, permits come from the City’s Codes and Zoning Department at City Hall, and septic systems on county land are permitted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Livingston County building department: who handles permitting

The county commissioners hired Gil Gates as the county’s zoning officer, responsible for issuing residential and building permits outside the Chillicothe city limits. The City of Chillicothe’s website names the same official as the city’s Zoning Administrator and Building Inspector, so one person handles building permits for both the city and the county land around it, through two separate offices. The county commission can be reached at the courthouse switchboard, 660-646-8000, or countycommission@livingstoncountymo.com.

The county’s assessor advises calling the zoning administrator before you build, and before you buy land to build on. Populations below are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates.

What needs a permit on Livingston County land?

The county’s own pages state the rule plainly: because the county is zoned, building permits are required before construction begins, and the assessor’s page adds that they are required for most buildings. The county calls it a Building/Zoning Permit; the application form and the fee come from the zoning office.

Septic permits in Livingston County

Livingston County has no local on-site wastewater agency in the state’s list: the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is the permitting authority itself. To start, submit the state’s OWTS Application Number Request Form to get an application number, then file the construction permit application with DHSS, 930 Wildwood Drive, Jefferson City (573-751-6095, ext. 5). The county zoning permit and the state septic permit are separate approvals from separate agencies.

Floodplain in Livingston County

Livingston County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, as do Chillicothe and Utica, according to FEMA’s Community Status Book. Chula and Wheeling are in its list of communities not participating, and Ludlow and Mooresville are not listed. SEMA’s directory lists the county floodplain administrator at 700 Webster Street, Chillicothe (660-339-3344) and the city floodplain administrator at Chillicothe City Hall (660-646-5636).

Steps for building in Livingston 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

Livingston County permit FAQs

Do I need a building permit outside Chillicothe?

Yes. Livingston County is zoned, and the county zoning officer must issue a building permit before any construction begins outside the Chillicothe city limits.

Where is the Livingston County zoning office?

In the courthouse at 700 Webster Street, Suite 3, Chillicothe; the phone number is 660-646-8000, ext. 102.

Who issues septic permits in Livingston County?

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services directly (573-751-6095, ext. 5), starting with an application number request.

Which building code does Chillicothe use?

The 2021 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Fire Codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code, according to the city’s list updated May 20, 2025.

Where do I get a Chillicothe building permit application?

At City Hall, 715 Washington Street; the Codes and Zoning Department’s number is 660-646-5636.

Livingston County permit search and official resources

• Livingston County zoning officer and building permits
• Livingston County Assessor: zoning and building permits
• Missouri DHSS onsite wastewater permitting authority by county
• City of Chillicothe Codes and Zoning Department
• City of Chillicothe current adopted codes
• SEMA Livingston County emergency and floodplain contacts
• FEMA Community Status Book, Missouri

Simplify Livingston 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 Livingston County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.