How do I stop someone from building rental slums next door?

We live just outside a small town in missouri. We had an empty lot next door and this slum-lord jerk bought it and is putting up 3 tiny rental houses on a regular sized lot. One of them is about 1 foot from our property line, so it's right on top of us. What can I do to stop him, or at least cause him as much trouble as possible? There are no county building codes, amazingly enough, and I'm having trouble finding any state codes, but surely there must be some way to sue him or something! This will destroy our property value.

There ARE county building codes. Even if they are rudimentary they will exist. If he is not violating any codes then there isn't much you can you. Just as no one tells you what to do with your property, you can not dictate to others. Tiny rentals are usually legal, there is no law dictating you must live in a bog house.

The one where you might find a problem is the 1 foot from the property line. If it is blocking a power, waterline, or similar easement he can not build it. Usually you have to be 4-5 feet away from anything underground.

There is also usually a fire code that requires there to be a 10 feet distance between buildings on one side. If your house is not 10 feet away from your other neighbor then you have a complaint, in that the fire department can not access the back of your house in case of fire.

If you are just talking about your property line, and not a building too close there is nothing you can do. The other side of your property line is HIS property, not yours.

Have you checked zoning laws to see if he's only supposed to build a single-family home on the lot? What makes you think it'll be a rental "slum"? They MIGHT be nice little duplexes.

Talk to the local government. Hire a lawyer if you can afford to or at least consult with one.

There must be a building permit from the city/county that is required. Check with the applicable planning/building department to see if the project is properly zoned and permitted. You won't find anything at state level - this stuff is handled by the local governments.

If the project is properly zoned and permitted, there's nothing you can do unless you want to spend money suing - but you'll have to come up with grounds to do so other than "not liking it."

I always went more with a hands on approach. Arson

Attend your city council meetings and ask questions.
I'm surprised there was no notice in local newspaper.

You say that you lives outside of town, so obviously there are no city codes or regulations, but I am surprised that there are no county codes. Are you sure about that or did someone answering the phone just shine you on? Check again and find out how someone gets a building permit in the county. Zoning regulations should restrict how many dwellings can be erected on the property. Local codes should also include a "set back" requirement describing how close to the property line a structure can sit. There should also have been a permitting process with notice given to adjoining property owners of any applications. You should also consult an attorney as soon as possible to assert your rights. Failure to assert them in timely manner can constitute a waiver. You might be able to get an injunction stopping the building until there is further review. Make sure that your lawyer explains the risks of proceeding. Your neighbor could seek damages against you if you cost him time and money with an unjust claim.

The way to have stopped what you desire is to have bought the lot when it was for sale. Absent any laws or ordinances stopping what this man wants to do, the only way to control what happens next door is to own the property yourself.

No, there isn't.

There may not be building codes, but most places have zoning and setbacks. My parents live in one of the most rural areas possible in Virginia, and there is no building code but there are strict zoning laws.

You need to call zoning, but if there is no zoning, there isn't anything you can do about it legally.

That is why I don't recommend people buy homes next to empty lots until I check the zoning, planning for that lot and find out who owns it. You never know what will happen.

It is not illegal for him to rent out houses to the poor. It may decrease your property value, but you won't get a court to give you a judgement based on that.

All you can do is sell.