Septic permit rules and requirements in Missouri
In Missouri, the state sets the rule. The septic permit comes from your county health department. For some systems the state issues it itself. The code is 19 CSR 20-3.060. Missouri Revised Statutes § 701.046 · checked 2026-09-12
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program
Writes the rules
checked 2026-09-23
Your county health department
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-12
19 CSR 20-3.060
Code section
checked 2026-09-23
Who decides a septic permit in Missouri
Your county health department issues an ordinary residential permit. For some systems the state issues it itself. The state sets the floor through the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
State law lets the city, the county or the department issue the permit. A person applies to whichever one runs the local program. The department runs the program where no city or county has taken it on.
Missouri Revised Statutes § 701.046 · checked 2026-09-12
The office's phone number is 573-751-6095.
This is the program's main line for permitting and general questions, printed on its contact page. The page also lists a toll-free number and a fax number.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program · checked 2026-09-23
The office publishes its own page on this: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program.
The page's own canonical tag names this address as its permanent link.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program · checked 2026-09-23
The floor state law sets
The rules that govern every septic system in Missouri are 19 CSR 20-3.060. Every local permit is issued under them.
The rule sets the state standard for septic tanks and drainfields. It sets minimum distances and flow rates too.
Missouri Code of State Regulations, Title 19, Division 20, Chapter 3 · checked 2026-09-23
Missouri counties on this site
We have not published a Missouri county page yet. A county earns a page when we hold facts unique to it. Until then this page is the answer for every county in the state.
Telling us your county is how we decide which one to build next.
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with your county health department before you spend money on it.