Off-Grid Living in Andrew County, Missouri

I've been digging into Andrew County, Missouri for anyone thinking about homesteading or going off-grid out there, and the short version is: this is about as unregulated as counties get on the land-use side, but water and waste rules still bite.

Zoning: basically none. Andrew County's own Commission page states plainly that the county has no zoning ordinances. That's a big deal for off-grid folks, since it means there's no countywide authority telling you what you can build, how big it has to be, or where you can put it on unincorporated land. Missouri counties have to opt into zoning power under state law (RSMo Chapter 64), and Andrew County simply hasn't. That said, incorporated towns inside the county, Savannah, Fillmore, Cosby, can and do run their own codes, so if you're inside town limits, throw the "no zoning" assumption out and call the town directly.

Dwellings, tiny homes, RVs: I couldn't find a countywide rule addressing minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or living in an RV full-time. Given there's no zoning department, my read is this falls into a gap, not confirmed either way, so I'd still call the County Commission before assuming anything goes.

Building permits: Missouri's own statewide building-code dataset lists Andrew County with no adopted residential or energy code. Combined with no zoning department, that tells me there's no countywide building permit process for typical rural construction, but again, check with any incorporated town.

Septic: This is where the county actually regulates. The Andrew County Health Department runs a permitting system for onsite sewage treatment systems (septic), with its own local ordinance layered on top of Missouri state health rules. You need a construction permit before installing, repairing, or replacing a system, and there's a narrow acreage-based exemption for large lots with multiple systems. Composting toilets aren't addressed separately in what I found, so I'd assume the county treats them under the same septic ordinance until the Health Department tells you otherwise.

Greywater: No dedicated county or state page on greywater reuse turned up. Unclear, ask the Health Department since they administer the septic ordinance.

Rainwater harvesting: No local restriction found, and Missouri's state-level stance protects rainwater collection, so this looks permitted.

Wells: Well drilling is a state matter, run through Missouri DNR's Well Installation Board and licensing program, not something Andrew County regulates separately. If you'd rather skip a private well, the county has a few Public Water Supply Districts you can hook into instead.

Utilities: With no zoning ordinance, there's no zoning-based mandate forcing a grid hookup. You'd still need to satisfy the septic ordinance regardless of whether you're on-grid or off.

Bottom line: land use is wide open here, but wastewater and wells are still governed, one locally, one by the state.