The McDonald County Commission states that the county has no planning, zoning or permitting requirements and licenses no contractors: the only county permits for building are the Health Department’s septic permit and approval for construction in a flood zone. The county issues no certificates of occupancy. Anderson, Noel, Goodman, Pineville and Southwest City have building rules of their own.
What needs a county permit in McDonald County
| Work | Where to go |
|---|---|
| New or repaired septic system | McDonald County Health Department, 3446 S. Business Hwy 71, Pineville, 417-223-4351 |
| Building in a mapped flood zone | County Floodplain Administrator, 417-223-7575; the Assessor’s Office (417-223-4361) answers questions about building in the flood zone |
| Permanent power to a new home, commercial building or mobile home | Written clearance from the Health Department to the electric utility, issued with the septic permit |
| Houses, garages, barns and other buildings | No county building permit, inspection or certificate of occupancy |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →The Commission tightened the county’s wastewater ordinance in 2026 to prepare for growth. Since the change approved on February 4, 2026 (wording corrected on April 1, 2026; the copy posted on the county site still shows the earlier wording), no septic system may be installed on a lot smaller than 0.92 acre if the lot was platted and recorded, or approved by the Department of Natural Resources, after May 6, 1999, and no system may serve more than one residence or commercial building; a duplex counts as one residence.
On July 20, 2026 a resident asked the Commission to consider residential and commercial zoning for the county; the commissioners said they would take the request into advisement, and no zoning has been adopted. Walmart’s data center on Bear Hollow Road has been in the county since 2003.
Building permits in McDonald County’s towns
The Commission’s own advice is to contact each city for its building codes and permits. Eight towns lie in the county:
| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Noel (2,181) | City Administrative Official; the city code adopts the 1993 BOCA Basic Building Code and 1993 National Electrical Code; City Hall 417-475-3696 |
| Goodman (1,320) | City of Goodman, on the city’s application form; City Hall also assigns street numbers once a building permit application is filed |
| Southwest City (969) | City administrative official, under the zoning code; 2018 International Building, Plumbing and Fire Codes and 2017 National Electrical Code (2020) |
| Pineville (836) | City of Pineville; 2003 International Building, Residential, Plumbing and Fire Codes and 2005 National Electrical Code, with a fee schedule in the city code |
| Lanagan (379) | The published sources do not say; ask City Hall, 417-436-2226 |
| Anderson (2,073) | City Building Inspector, through City Hall, 103 W. Beaver St., 417-845-6463; the city code adopts the 1993 BOCA Building Code and 1993 National Electrical Code |
| Jane (405) | Village Clerk handles permits; village office 417-226-2489 |
| Ginger Blue (34) | The published sources do not say who issues building permits; ask the village |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →McDonald County permit fees
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Septic permit, single-family dwelling (county) | $105 |
| Septic permit, other buildings (county) | $140 |
| Septic repair permit (county) | $25 |
| Noel building permit | $5 per $1,000 of cost up to $5,000, plus $3 per $1,000 above $5,000 |
| Noel remodeling or removal permit | $35 |
| Goodman building permit | $10 per $50,000 of cost, plus $100 in inspection fees for new construction |
For a $150,000 house in Noel, the permit is $25 for the first $5,000 plus 145 × $3, or $460.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Septic steps and flood maps
Septic permits: start with a complete site evaluation by a soil scientist, then a state-registered installer, or the landowner after passing the Health Department’s homeowner quiz. File the application with the soil evaluation, a drawing and the fee; the department reviews it within 7 working days and makes a pre-site inspection with the tank and lateral lines marked out. The installer calls 24 hours before the system is finished so it can be inspected, and the department then issues the permit number and a permit-to-use letter. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The department can also issue an electric waiver for power on a site.
Flood zones: McDonald County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, with current flood maps dated May 3, 2010. Anderson, Goodman, Lanagan, Noel, Pineville and Southwest City also take part; FEMA lists Jane as not participating.
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
McDonald County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in rural McDonald County, Missouri?
No county building permit exists. The county requires permits only for septic tank installation and for construction in flood zones.
Rather not deal with the McDonald County building department?
Get a free quote →Does McDonald County have zoning?
No. A resident asked for zoning in July 2026 and the Commission said it would take the request into advisement.
How much is a septic permit in McDonald County?
$105 for a single-family dwelling, $140 for other buildings and $25 for a repair.
What is the minimum lot size for a septic system?
0.92 acre for lots platted and recorded, or approved by the state, after May 6, 1999, under the 2026 ordinance change.
Does the county issue certificates of occupancy?
No. McDonald County has no occupancy ordinance.
Who issues building permits in Noel?
The City of Noel’s administrative official, at $5 per $1,000 of cost up to $5,000 and $3 per $1,000 above that.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →McDonald County permit search and official resources
- McDonald County Commission letter: no planning, zoning or permitting (June 2, 2025)
- McDonald County: no occupancy ordinance (2023)
- McDonald County revised wastewater ordinance (2026)
- McDonald County ordinances
- McDonald County Commission agendas and minutes
- McDonald County Health Department environmental services
- How to obtain a McDonald County septic permit
- SEMA floodplain and emergency contacts, McDonald County
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
- City of Noel code book
- City of Goodman code of ordinances
- City of Pineville code of ordinances
- Southwest City code of ordinances
- City of Anderson City Hall
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about McDonald County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.