Missouri Revised Statutes Title VI. County, Township and Political Subdivision Government § 64.170. County commissions control construction--issue building permits--Jefferson County, separate provision--vote required for adoption of a building code, when

1. For the purpose of promoting the public safety, health and general welfare, to protect life and property and to prevent the construction of fire hazardous buildings, the county commission in all counties of the first and second classification, as provided by law, is for this purpose empowered, subject to the provisions of subsections 2 and 3 of this section, to adopt by order or ordinance regulations to control the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of any building or structure and any electrical wiring or electrical installation, plumbing or drain laying therein, and provide for the issuance of building permits and adopt regulations licensing persons, firms or corporations other than federal, state or local governments, public utilities and their contractors engaged in the business of electrical wiring or installations and provide for the inspection thereof and establish a schedule of permit, license and inspection fees and appoint a building commission to prepare the regulations, as herein provided.

2. Any county which has not adopted a building code prior to August 28, 2001, pursuant to sections 64.170 to 64.200, shall not have the authority to adopt a building code pursuant to such sections unless the authority is approved by voters, subject to the provisions of subsection 3 of this section.

The ballot of submission for authority pursuant to this subsection shall be in substantially the following form:

Shall ․․․․․․․․․․ (insert name of county) have authority to create, adopt and impose a county building code?

3. The proposal of the authority to adopt a building code shall be voted on only by voters in the area affected by the proposed code, such that a code affecting a county shall not be voted upon by citizens of any incorporated territory.