Single-Level Homes & Barndominiums in Ray County, Missouri

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

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

Ray County has no adopted building code, but it requires platting, a building permit and three inspections, along with a minimum home size and roof pitch.

• Platting (dividing land): “Any parcel new or existing, less than 40 acres, that have not previously been platted require platting. This requires hiring a surveyor to create the plat; this is not the same thing as a survey.”
• Homes per parcel: “Only 1 residential structure is allowed per parcel/lot.”
• Minimum lot size: “Minimum lot size is 3.00 acres”
• Lot width: “Lots with an area of 3-4 acres located on interior subdivision streets shall be subject to a minimum lot width of 200 feet at the building line. All other lots shall be subject to a minimum lot width of 300 feet.”
• Permit fee: “Building Permit fee is $ .40 cents per square foot of livable space”
• Minimum home size: “Livable space – 1,000 sq ft single story > 1,400 sq ft other (lots under 19.00 acres in size)”
• Minimum roof pitch: “Roof Pitch – 5:12”
• Eaves: “Eaves (not including gutters) 12 inches all 4 sides”
• Minimum wall length: “4 exterior sides can be no less than 22 feet”
• Inspections: “Three Inspection Stages: 1. Footing inspection – After forms and rebar is set and before concrete is poured 2. Rough-In – Plumbing, electrical (smoke detectors must be hard wired) and HVAC / Before insulation and sheetrock 3. Final”
• Septic: “Septic Permit = $300.00 (Plus $100 for self-install consultation fee) A soil morphology test is required prior to filing an application for a septic system (when hiring an installer, they must be certified with the State of Missouri)”
• Driveway: “Driveway Permit = $150.00 (Only if there is not an existing driveway to the new parcel) If driveway is located along highway frontage, entrance must be permitted through MoDOT”
• Penalty: “For any Permit not pulled prior to the start of construction. Penalties of $250 – up to $1,000 may be assessed!”
• Frost footing depth: Ray 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: Ray County Planning & Zoning, 100 West Main, Suite 16, Richmond, MO 64085 · Office 816-776-5398 · pz@pz.raycountymo.gov · Building Inspector 816-885-1947 · Septic Inspector 816-776-5413 ext 2

Official source: Ray County Planning & Zoning: Platting & Building Info Sheet (fee schedule updated 3-1-2023)

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.