The Missouri Department of Natural Resource-Water Protection Program is the regulatory agency that issues NPDES permits to animal feeding operations in Missouri. For further information concerning whether or not a permit may be needed, the Permitting Animal Feeding Operations in Missouri web site or by contacting your regional MDNR office can provide you with detailed information about the applicable rules and requirements that pertain to animal feeding operations.

Certain counties in the state of Missouri have enacted local restrictions that need to be considered for building or modifying a livestock operation. Currently, 13 counties in the state of Missouri have local zoning or health ordiances that affect animal agriculture operations. Some of these restrictions include increased setbacks from water sources, increased financial obligations and increased monitoring requirements that are more stringent than the state requirements. In the Site Evaluation Report, the information that is provided shows the most restrictive requirements for each category; whether it is a state or local. The Local Restrictions page can provide you with the specific counties and complete detail of each type of zoning or health ordinance. It is important to talk with each county board or commission to verify if local restrictions exist prior to building or modifying an animal feeding operation.

There are two main types of setbacks that are required for animal feeding operations in the state of Missouri; land application setbacks and production area setbacks. Setbacks are required to reduce the potential contamination of water with manure constituents. Required Setbacks in Missouri page or MDNR Guide to Animal Feeding Operations will provide you with the required state setbacks and other information for the state of Missouri.

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