Saline County government has no planning, zoning or building department: the County Commission oversees county roads, bridges and county buildings, but it issues no building permits for private construction. Inside Marshall, the City Inspection Department (660-886-2653) issues building and trade permits under the 2021 International Codes, and Slater, Sweet Springs and Arrow Rock handle approvals in town. On unincorporated land, septic systems are permitted directly by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and the county’s floodplain administrator is the contact for building in a mapped flood hazard area.
Saline County building department: who handles permitting
The Saline County Commission meets in regular session every other Wednesday from 9 a.m. at the courthouse, 19 E. Arrow St., Room 101, Marshall (660-886-7777). The county’s offices are the elected row offices plus Building and Grounds, Emergency Management, Human Resources and Road and Bridge; none of them reviews plans or inspects private buildings. Town populations below are Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates for the part in Saline County.
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Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Marshall (13,766) | City Inspection Department, City Office Building, 214 N. Lafayette Ave.; 660-886-2653. 2021 International Codes and 2020 NEC; plan review and inspections through the Institute for Building Technology and Safety; online Citizen Portal |
| Slater (1,824) | The City’s website asks applicants to call City Hall for building permit forms; (660) 529-2271 |
| Sweet Springs (1,323) | City Hall, 324 S. Miller St.; (660) 335-4564. The City’s building permit application, filed with the City Clerk, goes to Planning and Zoning and the Mayor for approval; its application fee ($75 commercial, $50 residential, $25 for accessory buildings, additions, fences, decks and similar work) is not refundable |
| Blackburn (214; 11 in Lafayette County) | The published sources do not say; ask the city |
| Malta Bend (190), Gilliam (182), Nelson (149), Miami (143) | The published sources do not say; ask the town |
| Emma (117; 84 in Lafayette County) | Emma issues building permits through its zoning code: the Enforcement Officer must approve each application, and a scaled plot plan in duplicate showing the lot and the building goes with it (Section 405.240). City office, 101 S. Elm; (660) 463-2150 |
| Mount Leonard (65), Grand Pass (50) | The published sources do not say; ask the town or village |
| Arrow Rock (57) | Town Board of Trustees. The Board of Architectural Review must approve any change to the look of a house, outbuilding or fence, even a new exterior color, before the Board of Trustees approves it; any hired contractor needs a $25 town licence. Town Clerk, 660-837-3608 |
| Unincorporated Saline County | No county building permit or zoning; septic permits from DHSS; floodplain administrator for mapped flood areas |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →What applies on unincorporated land
Still required
- Septic permit from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services before an onsite system is built or modified
- Flood hazard areas: the county takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program, so check with the county floodplain administrator before building or filling in a mapped flood zone
- County roads: road concerns and dust control go to Road and Bridge, or to the special road district that maintains the road
No county office
- County building permits or construction inspections
- County zoning or rezoning
- County trade permits for electrical, plumbing or mechanical work
Septic, flood and road details in Saline County
Septic systems: the state’s county-by-county list shows no local wastewater authority for Saline County, so a new or repaired onsite system is permitted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in Jefferson City. The process starts with an application number requested on the department’s online form (phone (573) 751-6095 ext. 5). Because section 701.046 RSMo was changed to drop its $90 permit fee, DHSS has put its onsite application fees on hold from August 28, 2026 until it sets new fees.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Flood rules: FEMA lists Saline County as a participating community, with flood maps dated January 16, 2013. The state’s floodplain contact list names the county Emergency Management Director as the county’s floodplain administrator (153 S. Odell, Marshall; 660-815-7864). Arrow Rock, Emma, Marshall, Slater and Sweet Springs also take part, each with its own floodplain administrator; Blackburn, Grand Pass, Malta Bend, Miami and Nelson are in FEMA’s section of communities not in the program.
Roads: the county Road and Bridge crew maintains 411 miles of road in the County Common area; other roads belong to special road districts. Road and Bridge takes requests by phone (660-886-7844) and through the county’s online road concern form, and it publishes a dust control application.
Arrow Rock: the historic town’s Board of Architectural Review meets on the fourth Monday of the month and publishes design guidelines; the Town Board meets on the first Monday.
Steps for building in Saline County
Inside Marshall, Slater, Sweet Springs, Emma or Arrow Rock, that town’s rules apply; outside, there is no county building permit.
Apply to the City Inspection Department online or at 214 N. Lafayette Ave.
DHSS issues the permit before the system is installed.
If the site is in a mapped flood hazard area, contact the county floodplain administrator before building or filling.
Rather not deal with the Saline 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
Saline County permit FAQs
Does Saline County issue building permits?
No. The county has no planning, zoning or building office; towns such as Marshall, Slater and Sweet Springs issue their own permits.
Who issues building permits in Marshall?
The City Inspection Department, City Office Building, 214 N. Lafayette Ave. (660-886-2653), which enforces the 2021 International Codes.
Who issues septic permits in rural Saline County?
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; call (573) 751-6095 ext. 5 or request an application number online.
Who handles flood rules in rural Saline County?
Saline County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program; before building in a mapped flood hazard area, contact the county floodplain administrator, the Emergency Management Director (660-815-7864).
Can I repaint my house in Arrow Rock without approval?
No. Any change to a building’s appearance, including exterior colors, goes to the Board of Architectural Review and then the Board of Trustees.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Saline County permit search and official resources
- Saline County Commission
- Saline County office directory
- Saline County Road and Bridge
- Saline County Emergency Management Agency
- Missouri DHSS onsite wastewater construction permit process
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
- City of Marshall
- City of Slater building permits and inspections
- City of Sweet Springs building permit application
- Town of Arrow Rock resident information and architectural review
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Saline County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.