Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-10-10
103 of Kansas's 105 counties — 98% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 5th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Bourbon County (68/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 2952 counties nationwide → Kansas: no building codes → Kansas: no zoning → Kansas: no codes, no zoning → Kansas: tiny homes → Kansas: no minimum home size → Full Kansas profile →
103 of 105 Kansas counties · sorted by Index score
Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗An owner/builder seeking a second dwelling permit on a lot where a dwelling unit already exists. This is a conditional owner/builder provision, not a general exemption from buil…
Linn County Zoning Regulations ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Owner-performed construction work on single-family residential or agricultural property in the unincorporated area of Miami County. A contractor license is generally required to…
Contractor Licensing | Miami County, KS ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗County building permit applications for construction in the unincorporated portion of Jefferson County, Kansas. The county permit packet identifies the contractor as not require…
Building Permit Application ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Construction projects performed by private individuals on their own property in Brown County, Kansas, under the county-adopted applicable-code standard. The exemption applies to…
Resolution 2026-11 Applicable Codes for Construction Projects ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗With no county building permit requirement, owner-builders need no building permit to construct their own dwelling in unincorporated Jewell County.
Jewell County, Kansas - County Directory ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗A property owner applying for a building permit for work in unincorporated Shawnee County without selecting a contractor. The property owner or duly authorized representative mu…
Building Code ↗Owner construction of a residence owned and personally occupied by the property owner. The county says generally the owner may perform construction work on such a residence. Ele…
franklincoks.org ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Unincorporated Phillips County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, p…
Building Regulations & Permitting ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Unincorporated Chase County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, plum…
Commissioners :: Chase County Kansas ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Owner of a single-family dwelling not exceeding two stories acting as builder. The owner is exempt from obtaining a contractor license, not from obtaining permits. Licenses are …
2016 Butler County Building Code ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Owner-occupants performing specified electrical, plumbing, water-heater, or mechanical work on their own home. The homeowner must pass the applicable MABCD exam at 75%. If the o…
Do I Need a Permit? ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner performing or using employees to perform roofing services on the owner's dwelling or another structure on the owner's residential or farm propert…
2024 Kansas Statutes, 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Homeowner-performed work under Johnson County contractor-licensing rules. The residence must be for the homeowner's use and occupancy only. The residence may not be built for sa…
Building Permits ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗County residents constructing residential or other improvements in Scott County outside areas where a separate municipal or extraterritorial rule applies. The official county-ho…
Neighborhood Revitalization Program Highlights ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Qualified homeowner/occupants obtaining building permits in unincorporated Seward County. The county states permits are issued to licensed contractors or qualified homeowner/occ…
Building Permits ↗An owner constructing, reconstructing, or treating a water well on land owned by that individual for farming, ranching, agricultural, or domestic purposes at the individual's pl…
Morton County Environmental Codes ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Statewide rule. An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwell…
K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Kansas state page for all 105 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
Off-grid gear
Building on land in one of these Kansas counties? The kit we'd start with:
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General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
