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OWTS Construction Permit Required

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Contact Information

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Telephone: 573-751-6095 or
(toll-free) 866-628-9891
Fax: 573-526-7377

For renewals and course registrations:
Email: OWTScourses@health.mo.gov

For permitting or general questions:
Email: OnsiteProgram@health.mo.gov

OWTS Construction Permit Application Process


A construction permit is required before installing or repairing most onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). Some single family residential lots may be exempt from permitting. The first step of the permitting process is to determine the agency that has permitting authority where the work is being done.

Note: Lagoons serving anything other than a single-family residence fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources. See “Additional Information” below for clarification of DHSS and DNR jurisdiction.

DHSS OWTS permitting falls under one of three authority types: DHSS Onsite Program, Local Authority (contract), or Local Authority via Ordinance. The application process varies by permitting authority. Work should not begin until a permit has been issued or an exemption to permitting has been confirmed by the appropriate permitting authority.

Select your county from the list below to determine your jurisdiction and further instructions.

Agency:
City of St Joseph Health Department (incorporated St. Joe)
Authority Type:
Ordinance
Address:
904 S. Tenth St.
St. Joseph, MO 64503
County:
Buchanan
Phone:
(816) 271-4636
Website:
http://www.stjoemo.info/index.aspx?nid=424
Alert:
Contact the agency above for onsite wastewater permitting instructions. This county has their own Onsite Wastewater Ordinance and may have additional requirements beyond the state minimum construction standards.
Agency:
Buchanan County Commission (everything except City of St. Joseph)
Authority Type:
Ordinance
Address:
411 Jules St
St. Joseph, MO 64501
County:
Buchanan
Phone:
(816) 271-1503
Website:
http://www.co.buchanan.mo.us/142/Planning-Zoning
Alert:
Contact the agency above for onsite wastewater permitting instructions. This county has their own Onsite Wastewater Ordinance and may have additional requirements beyond the state minimum construction standards.
Agency:
DHSS
Authority Type:
DHSS
Address:
930 Wildwood Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65102
County:
Butler
Phone:
(573) 751-6095 ext. 5
Website:
N/A
Alert:
Submit the information at https://stateofmissouri.wufoo.com/forms/q1l2xmqk0yjvaut/ to request an application number.
Agency:
DHSS
Authority Type:
DHSS
Address:
930 Wildwood Dr,
Jefferson City, MO 65102
County:
Caldwell
Phone:
(573) 751-6095 ext. 5
Website:
N/A
Alert:
Submit the information at https://stateofmissouri.wufoo.com/forms/q1l2xmqk0yjvaut/ to request an application number.
Agency:
Callaway County Commission
Authority Type:
Ordinance
Address:
4950 County Road 304
Fulton, MO 65251
County:
Callaway
Phone:
(573) 642-5750
Website:
www.callawayhealthdepartment411.wordpress.com
Alert:
Contact the agency above for onsite wastewater permitting instructions. This county has their own Onsite Wastewater Ordinance and may have additional requirements beyond the state minimum construction standards.

Some cities in Missouri are incorporated and may not fall under the local permitting authority even when an ordinance is in place. If work is being done within one of these incorporated areas, the local permitting authority will defer the permit process back to DHSS. Request a permit application number for an incorporated area by clicking here.

Additional Information

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) regulations cover:

  1. Single-family residential systems including lagoons;
  2. Onsite or cluster systems that treat domestic wastewater flows of 3,000 gallons per day or less and disperse the wastewater through soil treatment/absorption systems.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates other wastewater treatment systems in Missouri including:

  1. Lagoons serving anything other than single-family residences;
  2. Systems that treat and discharge into surface waters;
  3. Systems that treat wastewater flows greater than 3,000 gallons per day and disperse wastewater through soil treatment/absorption systems;
  4. Systems that treat industrial (non-domestic) wastewater flows. Contact DNR if there is any question about the type of waste generated at a facility.

DNR must approve subdivisions, mobile home parks and campgrounds if the use of OWTS is planned. Developers as well as property owners in unapproved developments should contact DNR regarding their residential housing unit requirements. For more information see Who Regulates Wastewater in Missouri or contact DNR.