I live in the most southwest rural corner area of Johnson County which borders both Cass and Henry. I like where I live due to the fact that we don't need to have permits to build, dig, remodel, plumbing, paint or having to wait for an inspector if we want/need to do anything. I'm sure if I lived in a town, there might be some needed permits to do some things as it's the town laws, but where I'm at, I'm a free man if I need to do anything I want.
My sister lives in rural Cass Co just outside Harrisonville by about 3-4 miles and virtually everything one does in Cass need a permit from what I've seen, to do things that require a change to their property. Paint your house a different color, permit. Need repairs on house and wood needs torn out and replaced, permit. New water heater, permit and an inspection. Now, a lot could do with you doing it yourself, or having it done by a pro and it could also depend on how far out in country one lives, or if property is sold in future and inspections done by next purchaser of property for the property to be sold without problems.