Single-Level Homes & Barndominiums in Lafayette County, Missouri

Building a Home on Rural Land in Lafayette County: The Rules

Last verified October 2026 from Lafayette County's official documents. Rules apply to unincorporated land outside city limits. Always confirm with the county before you build.

Lafayette County has no adopted building code, but it is zoned and requires a building permit, a county septic permit and minimum lot and home sizes for a new home.

• Zoning: “Lafayette County is a zoned county because voters chose to adopt zoning regulations”
• Building permit: “Building permits are required for all structures that constitute “development” under the Land Development Code, including dwellings and other buildings involving structural construction, foundations, utilities, or occupancy, regardless of property size.”
• Permit fee: $300 for a residential building permit, by appointment (county fee table, 2026).
• Penalty: $1,250 if building, installation or residence begins before permit approval (county fee table, 2026).
• Minimum lot size: “Exhibit 4A: Lot Development Standards: Agricultural (AG) 20 ac. · Residential Agriculture (RA) 5 ac. · Rural Estates (RE) 1.5 ac.” (Land Development Code, PDF p.123)
• Minimum home size: “The minimum floor area of a residential building in the AG District shall be 900 square feet (exclusive of basements, open or screened porches and garages).” The RA, RE and RR districts require 1,200 square feet. (Land Development Code, PDF p.70–72)
• Accessory dwelling: “It shall be permissible to maintain one accessory dwelling unit on an agricultural plot.” (Land Development Code, PDF p.70)
• Dividing land: “no land shall be subdivided within the unincorporated area of Lafayette County and no permit or other approval shall be granted … until the subdivider or his agent shall have complied with the provisions of this LDC … and until the subdivided land is recorded in the office of the County Recorder.” (Land Development Code, PDF p.10)
• Septic: “Lafayette County Planning and Economic Development (LCPED) regulates onsite systems in accordance with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services( Green Book). These regulations include design, construction, and operation of all OWTS on less than 20 acres in accordance with the adopted Lafayette County Land Development Code.” The county septic permit is $375, including two inspections.
• Installing your own septic: “You may choose to submit all of the information and install the system yourself. However, the services of a registered professional to conduct a percolation test or an onsite soil morphology evaluation will be required.”
• Floodplain: “Lafayette County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)” and “any construction, fill, or development in a floodplain requires a permit, even for accessory structures.”
• Building code: No adopted building code found in the Land Development Code or the 2026 permit application.
• Frost footing depth: Lafayette County has no adopted building code, so no county frost depth applies. Every DreamStart plan puts footings 36 in. below grade (our standard, not a county rule).

Who to call: Lafayette County Planning & Economic Development, 1001 Main Street, Lexington, MO 64067 · 660-259-4439 · planning@lafayettecountymo.gov · Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, permits by appointment

Official source: Lafayette County Planning & Economic Development: Applications, Permits & Fees (2026) · Lafayette County Land Development Code (adopted 12/31/2016)

Note: The county says a phased update of its Land Development Code is under review, so lot sizes may change.

No building code doesn't mean anything goes. Your plan should still meet a real standard, because your lender, your insurer and your family will care even if the county doesn't. Every DreamStart plan is designed to one.