Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Boone County, MO Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required
For most construction and alterations
Farm exemption distance
75+ feet from a dwelling
Farm exemption tract size
20 acres or more
Enforcing agency
Resource Management Department
Farm dwellings
Not exempt, must conform

Summary

Boone County requires a building permit for most construction, but exempts farm buildings and structures more than 75 feet from a dwelling on tracts of 20 acres or larger used exclusively for agriculture.

City-specific rules exist: Columbia has its own building permits rules that differ from Boone County's county-level regulations. If you live in Columbia, check the city-specific page instead.

The provisions of this Code shall not be exercised so as to impose regulations or to require permits with respect to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration or extension of farm buildings or farm structures further than seventy-five feet (75') from a dwelling provided that such buildings or structures are located on tracts of 20 acres or more and such buildings or structures are used exclusively for agricultural purposes. Farm dwellings shall conform to the provisions of this code as herein provided.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

The Boone County Building Code, adopted from the 2015 International Building Code, requires a permit before most construction, alteration, or repair of buildings and structures. Section 0.2.1 exempts farm buildings and farm structures from permitting only if they sit more than 75 feet from a dwelling, sit on a tract of 20 acres or more, and are used exclusively for agricultural purposes. Farm dwellings themselves are not exempt and must still conform to the code. The Director of Resource Management, acting as building official under Section 103, administers and enforces every permit issued under the code.

Violations & Fines

Violating the building code, including building without a required permit, is a misdemeanor; the code official can pursue enforcement and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a farm building in Boone County need a building permit?
No, if it sits more than 75 feet from a dwelling, is on 20+ acres, and is used exclusively for agriculture. Farm dwellings themselves still need to conform to the code.
Who enforces Boone County's building permit requirement?
The Resource Management Department's Director serves as building official under Section 103.1, administering and enforcing all building code provisions countywide.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Boone County

All Boone County rules

Compare Boone County to another location·View the Missouri building safety overview

Get notified when Building Permits in Boone County, MO changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Building Permits in Cities Across Boone County