Stoddard County sits at the northern edge of Missouri’s Bootheel, with approximately 28,700 residents and a slowly declining population. The county’s largest city is Dexter (~7,900) — not the county seat of Bloomfield (~1,900). This is the most critical operational fact for landlords: all eviction filings go to Bloomfield, approximately 9 miles from Dexter. All evictions file with the 35th Judicial Circuit at the Stoddard County Courthouse, 401 South Prairie Street, Bloomfield, MO 63825. Circuit Clerk phone: (573) 568-4640. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 35th Circuit also serves Dunklin County. County median household income is approximately $57,957. The economy is dominated by healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and agriculture. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Missouri state law (RSMo Chapters 441, 534, and 535).
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Missouri state law governs all residential rental matters.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
Stoddard County has no county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Dexter and Bloomfield maintain their own property codes. Dexter, as the county’s commercial hub, has the most active code enforcement. Confirm requirements with the applicable municipality.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Stoddard County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Missouri does not cap security deposit amounts. Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized deduction list (RSMo §535.300). Document move-in condition thoroughly, particularly for older rural housing stock common in parts of the county.
35th Judicial Circuit
All Stoddard County evictions file with the 35th Judicial Circuit at 401 South Prairie Street, Bloomfield, MO 63825. Circuit Clerk: (573) 568-4640. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 35th Circuit also serves Dunklin County. Stoddard cases file in Bloomfield.
Dexter vs. Bloomfield
Critical for Dexter landlords: Despite Dexter being the county’s largest city, the courthouse is in Bloomfield, approximately 9 miles away. All eviction filings must be made at 401 S. Prairie St., Bloomfield, MO 63825.
Business Entity Requirement
LLCs, corporations, and partnerships must be represented by a licensed Missouri attorney in landlord-tenant proceedings. Individual owners may appear pro se.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Stoddard County Courthouse
35th Judicial Circuit — Bloomfield (NOT Dexter)
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State statutes that apply throughout Stoddard County
⚡ Quick Overview
0 (can file immediately when rent is past due)
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
10
Days Notice (Violation)
21-60
Avg Total Days
$$25-75
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice TypeRent and Possession Petition (no advance notice required for nonpayment)
Notice Period0 (can file immediately when rent is past due) days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay and stay before judgment; also after judgment before writ execution date
Days to Hearing5-21 days
Days to Writ10 days after judgment (appeal period) days
Total Estimated Timeline21-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$100-400
⚠️ Watch Out
CRITICAL: Missouri does NOT require advance notice for nonpayment - landlord can file Rent and Possession immediately after rent is due. No demand required if tenant owes 1+ full month rent (lawsuit itself is deemed sufficient demand). Petition must include: exact street address; lease terms (quote entire lease or attach copy); amount of rent due at time of filing; allegation that rent was demanded and not paid. STRONG pay-and-stay right: before judgment tenant pays rent + costs to stay; after judgment tenant pays full judgment amount before writ execution date. Landlord CANNOT refuse payment. Two separate tracks: Rent-and-Possession (Ch. 535 for nonpayment only) vs. Unlawful Detainer (Ch. 534 for violations). Late charges may be challenged as illegal penalties unless defined as liquidated damages in lease. Entities (LLC/Corp) MUST have attorney.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Associate Circuit Court - Rent and Possession (Ch. 535). Pay the filing fee (~$$25-75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Missouri eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Missouri attorney or local legal aid organization.
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Missouri landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Missouri —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
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Ready to File?
Generate Missouri-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Missouri requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
File in Bloomfield, NOT Dexter — ~9 miles apart. Population declining. Healthcare/manufacturing workforce. Income verify carefully. 35th Circuit opens 8:30am.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Stoddard County, Missouri
Stoddard County occupies the northern fringe of Missouri’s Bootheel, a predominantly agricultural region shaped by crop farming, food processing, healthcare, and light manufacturing. The county’s largest city is Dexter, approximately 7,900 people, which serves as the area’s commercial and healthcare hub. The county seat is Bloomfield — roughly 1,900 people and 9 miles from Dexter — where all circuit court business occurs. For landlords, the most important geographic fact in Stoddard County is this separation: evictions file in Bloomfield, not Dexter.
The Dexter Rental Market
Dexter is the dominant rental market, with a tenant pool composed primarily of manufacturing workers, healthcare staff from Dexter’s medical facilities, retail employees, and agricultural support workers. The county median household income of approximately $57,957 reflects a lower-wage market where income verification at the standard three-times-rent threshold is important. Population has declined approximately 5% since 2010, reflecting broader outmigration trends in rural Bootheel counties. Price rents competitively and maintain properties well to retain quality tenants in a market with modest demand.
The 35th Judicial Circuit
All Stoddard County evictions file with the 35th Judicial Circuit at the Stoddard County Courthouse, 401 South Prairie Street, Bloomfield, MO 63825. Circuit Clerk: (573) 568-4640. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — note the 8:30 a.m. opening, slightly later than many Missouri circuits. The 35th Circuit also serves Dunklin County; Stoddard matters file in Bloomfield. From Dexter the drive is approximately 15 minutes via Highway 25. LLCs must retain a licensed Missouri attorney for all proceedings.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Stoddard County, Missouri and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 35th Judicial Circuit Court or a licensed Missouri attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
