Stoddard County issues no building permits and has no county building code or zoning; in July 2026 a commissioner proposed a public forum on planning and zoning. Inside city limits, Dexter’s Building Inspector and Bloomfield’s City Clerk issue permits. On county land the emergency management director in Dexter (573-614-5155) is the floodplain administrator, and the state health department permits septic systems.
Stoddard County building department: who handles permitting
The County Clerk’s office is at 401 S. Prairie St., Bloomfield, open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (573-568-3339), and it posts the County Commission’s weekly Monday agendas and signed records. In May 2026 the commissioners said no one had contacted the county about building a data center there.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Place | Who permits building work |
|---|---|
| Dexter (7,851) | City Building Inspector or another designated city official; two copies of the plans and a list of materials. Dexter adopts no model building code: its code sets its own minimum standards for foundations, plumbing, wiring and heating, and electrical work must follow the National Electrical Code |
| Bloomfield (1,734) | City Clerk at City Hall takes the application; the city inspector inspects the site within 7 days. The code still names the 1970 BOCA building, housing and plumbing codes, and since October 31, 2024 any habitable structure must have at least 600 sq ft |
| Advance (1,323) | City Hall, open weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 573-722-3156; the city site posts no building code or permit form |
| Bernie (1,828), Puxico (867), Bell City (453), Essex (390), Dudley (101), Penermon (49) | No town code or permit form is published online; ask the city hall before building. City floodplain contacts listed by SEMA: Bernie 573-293-5318, Puxico 573-222-3162, Bell City 573-837-0848, Essex 573-283-5990, Dudley 573-624-3821, Penermon 573-421-1398 |
City building permit fees in Dexter and Bloomfield
Dexter’s current fees took effect on August 7, 2023 (Ordinance 5099):
| City and work | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dexter: new building or addition up to $35,000 | $35 |
| Dexter: new building or addition over $35,000 | $1 per $1,000 of projected cost (a $100,000 project pays $100) |
| Dexter: deck, fence, porch, sign, portable building, solar panels, gazebo, greenhouse or pool | $20 up to $1,000 of cost; $30 above |
| Bloomfield: building permit | $20 |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →A Dexter permit is void if work does not start within 60 days; one 60-day extension may be requested in writing. The permit lasts 6 months for projects of $300,000 or less and 12 months above that. In Bloomfield the permit is void if construction or placement of the building has not begun within 90 days, and a refused application can be taken to the Board of Aldermen.
Floodplain, zoning and septic on county land
Floodplain: the state emergency agency lists the county emergency management director, 501 W. Business 60, Dexter (573-614-5155), as Stoddard County’s floodplain administrator. The county takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program with flood maps dated July 1, 1987, and so do all nine towns; Dudley, Essex and Penermon have no mapped special flood hazard area.
Zoning: on July 6, 2026 a commissioner asked the county attorney to hold a public forum on planning and zoning; the date was to be set once the attorney gave his availability after the August election.
Septic systems: the state health department’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment program (573-751-6095 ext. 5) is the permitting authority for Stoddard County. Its application fee has been suspended since August 28, 2026, until new fees are set.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Starting a project in Stoddard County
Check whether the lot is inside Dexter, Bloomfield or another town.
File plans with Dexter’s Building Inspector or Bloomfield’s City Clerk, or ask the town hall.
Ask emergency management whether the site is in a mapped flood zone before building or filling.
Request a state application number before installing or repairing a system.
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
Stoddard County permit FAQs
Do I need a county building permit in Stoddard County, Missouri?
No. The county has no building code or zoning; building permits are issued by the cities inside their limits.
Rather not deal with the Stoddard County building department?
Get a free quote →How much is a building permit in Dexter?
$35 for new construction or additions up to $35,000, then $1 per $1,000 of projected cost, so a $100,000 project pays $100.
Where do I get a building permit in Bloomfield?
At the City Clerk’s office in City Hall; the permit costs $20 after the city inspector approves the site.
Is Stoddard County adopting zoning?
Not so far. In July 2026 a commissioner asked the county attorney to hold a public forum on planning and zoning, with the date to be set later.
Who issues septic permits in Stoddard County?
The state health department’s onsite wastewater program.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Stoddard County permit search and official resources
- Stoddard County Clerk
- Stoddard County Commission agendas and records
- County Commission record, July 6, 2026 (planning and zoning forum)
- Missouri DHSS septic (OWTS) permit authority by county
- SEMA emergency and floodplain contacts, Stoddard County
- FEMA Community Status Book: Missouri
- City of Dexter code of ordinances
- City of Bloomfield code of ordinances
- City of Advance
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Read guide →This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Stoddard County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.