Bolthole Index

Coffey County, Kansas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Coffey County, Kansas

64Index Score / 100
#6 of 105 in Kansas

Unincorporated Coffey County, Kansas requires a zoning certificate before covered construction, structural changes, land improvements, moves, or changes of use, but the county materials do not confirm a general building-code permit12. Coffey County zoning covers the unincorporated county except areas around specified cities, which have their own rules, and septic permits for every address come from the county's Environmental Health office34. Start with Planning & Zoning before designing the site, then contact Environmental Health about septic suitability56.

At a glance

Building permit
A zoning certificate is required for covered work; a general building-code permit is not confirmed12
Zoning
Coffey County is zoned and requires zoning permits and special applications75
Septic permits
Handled by Coffey County Environmental Health under the county Sanitary Code86
RV or tiny home
Long-term occupancy rules are not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning for the parcel's district rules7
Owner-builder
No owner-builder exemption is confirmed9
Minimum home size
No countywide figure is confirmed; dimensional rules depend on the local zoning district1011
Driveway access
County-road entrances need Highway Department permission; state-highway driveways need a state permit1213
Septic soil difficulty
Only 0.1% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field14

Who to call

Building permits

Coffey County Planning & Zoning

Zoning certificates, special applications, subdivision questions, zoning maps, and occupancy certificates

620-364-5792

110 S 6th Street, Room 5, Burlington, KS 66839

Online permits →

Septic permits

Coffey County Environmental Health Services

Private wastewater siting, construction standards inspections, system permits, and private water-well screening

620-364-8631

110 S 6th Street, Room 4, Burlington, KS 66839

Roads & driveways

Coffey County Highway Department

Entrance and driveway authorizations, utility construction, and other county-road right-of-way permits

620-364-2441

1510 S 6th Street, County Engineer's Office, Burlington, KS 66839

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Coffey County, Kansas?

Unincorporated Coffey County requires a zoning certificate before covered construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, land improvement, or a change in the use of land or a structure1. The published county process establishes a zoning permit, not a confirmed general building-code permit12. Planning & Zoning says zoning permits and special applications are required5. A scaled plot plan must show the lot, structure location, setbacks, access, driveways, parking or service areas, and utility connections15. After covered work is complete, notify the Zoning Administrator for a field inspection and an occupancy certificate1617. Coffey County requires payment of the zoning-certificate and occupancy-certificate fee with the application, but the published amount is not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning for the current schedule185.

Who handles Coffey County building permits, and how do you reach them?

Coffey County Planning & Zoning is the first office for construction on unincorporated land because it administers zoning certificates, special applications, and the county's zoning and subdivision regulations57. The office is at 110 S 6th Street, Room 5, Burlington, KS 66839, and its phone number is 620-364-57925. The county materials do not confirm a separate general building-code inspection department for an ordinary home2. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application, and the published process calls for approval or disapproval within 10 days unless the applicant agrees to more time15. Once the covered work or use is ready, the applicant notifies the Zoning Administrator for the field inspection and occupancy decision1617. Ask the office which district covers the parcel and which forms apply before ordering plans5.

Does Coffey County have zoning?

Yes. Coffey County is a zoned county with zoning and subdivision regulations, and Planning & Zoning says zoning permits and special applications are required75. Local zoning classifications can control lot dimensions, setbacks, lot coverage, building height, and allowed land uses, so the parcel's district matters more than a statewide rule10192011. Kansas provides a conditional agricultural exemption while land and buildings are used only for agricultural purposes, but dwellings and garages are not agricultural buildings and public-road setbacks can still apply21. Coffey County also regulates subdivision of land in the unincorporated county, with possible city-area exceptions22. The county regulations apply to the unincorporated area except land around specified cities, so a parcel near a city may fall under that city's zoning instead3. Confirm the zoning map, permitted use, setbacks, and plat status with Planning & Zoning before treating a rural parcel as buildable5.

How do septic permits work in Coffey County?

Coffey County Environmental Health administers the county Sanitary Code and handles private wastewater permitting, system siting, soil profiles, and construction-standard inspections46. Kansas law puts sanitary codes under the local health department unless the commissioners designate another agency, and county codes set local design and permit requirements2324. The office is at 110 S 6th Street, Room 4, Burlington, KS 66839, and its phone number is 620-364-86316. The county publishes a $125 operational permit fee, a $100 lagoon inspection fee, and a $135 septic or alternative-system inspection fee; the last fee includes inspection of an onsite private water well18. Site evaluation should come early because only 0.1% of Coffey County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field14. Kansas requires an approved onsite system where public sewers are unavailable, prohibits seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells, and does not allow a private system to discharge at the surface2526.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Coffey County?

Coffey County's published materials do not confirm a county rule that specifically allows or prohibits long-term RV occupancy on private land7. The county materials also do not confirm a rule specifically addressing tiny-home occupancy or a countywide minimum dwelling floor area7. Those gaps do not mean the uses are unrestricted: Coffey County has zoning, and local districts can regulate land use, yards, lot dimensions, coverage, and building height727. Manufactured homes remain subject to applicable county and city zoning rules in Kansas28. Before buying for an RV, tiny home, or manufactured home, give Planning & Zoning the parcel number and describe the intended occupancy, utilities, wastewater system, and structure type so the office can identify the applicable district and approval path58.

Building a home in Coffey County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Coffey County Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's district, setbacks, allowed residential use, and plat status57.
  1. Arrange an early wastewater site evaluation with Environmental Health because only 0.1% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field614.
  1. Prepare the zoning-certificate application and scaled plot plan showing structures, setbacks, access, driveways, service areas, and utilities15.
  1. Pay the applicable zoning and occupancy fee and obtain zoning approval before covered work starts118.
  1. Obtain the private wastewater approvals and inspections required by Environmental Health86.
  1. Get Highway Department permission for a county-road entrance, or a state permit for a driveway onto the state highway system1213.
  1. Notify the Zoning Administrator when construction is complete so the county can inspect and issue the occupancy certificate1617.

What should you check before buying land in Coffey County?

Start with zoning and septic feasibility: Coffey County is zoned, while only 0.1% of its soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field714. The terrain itself is gentle, with 100% of land at a 15% slope or less, but annual precipitation is about 38.8 inches and severe drought appears in 16.1% of years293031. Confirm legal road access because county-road entrances require Highway Department permission and state-highway driveways require a state permit1213. County zoning materials warn that Kansas Department of Agriculture Water Division rules may affect sites in or next to floodplain areas, and subdivision plats in FEMA-mapped floodplains must show floodway and base-flood-elevation boundaries32. A Coffey County floodplain administrator could not be confirmed, so ask Planning & Zoning whether the parcel lies in a regulated floodplain533. Many Kansas counties require water-well permits, but a separate Coffey County well permit could not be confirmed; the county's septic inspection fee includes inspection of an on-site private water well3418. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.2%, with a median annual bill near $1,6183536.

Watch-outs

  • A Coffey County zoning certificate is not the same thing as a confirmed general building-code permit; ask Planning & Zoning which approvals apply to the specific project15.
  • A county-road driveway needs Highway Department permission, while an entrance onto the state highway system follows the state permit process1213.
  • Coffey County RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, owner-builder exemptions, private-well permits, and the county floodplain permit contact remain unconfirmed; ask Planning & Zoning and Environmental Health before relying on any of them956.

Sources

  1. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  3. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. coffeycountyks.org, quoted and re-checked
  5. Coffey County Planning & Zoning (coffeycountyks.org)
  6. Coffey County Environmental Health Services (coffeycountyks.org)
  7. Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  8. coffeycountyks.org (2026 county census)
  9. K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions (2026 county census)
  10. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Highway Department, quoted and re-checked
  13. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  16. Filing for a Zoning Permit and Occupancy Certificate, quoted and re-checked
  17. Filing for a Zoning Permit and Occupancy Certificate, quoted and re-checked
  18. Wastewater Information, quoted and re-checked
  19. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. K.S.A. 12-758 — Agricultural land exempted from zoning regulations (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  23. Local Environmental Protection Program (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Local Environmental Protection Program (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. 2026 Kansas Statutes, K.S.A. 12-753: Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. K.S.A. 75-1218 — Exemption from construction codes; zoning (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Coffey County Zoning Regulations – 2023, quoted and re-checked
  33. Model Floodplain Management Ordinance (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  34. Water Well County Permits (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  35. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 5 of its 6 neighbors, Coffey County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

RuleCoffey CountyWoodson CountyAnderson CountyOsage CountyLyon CountyAllen CountyFranklin County
Building permitLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredLimited
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.Woodson CountyCounty Planning & Zoning Dept.County Land Development Dept.County Env. HealthCounty Zoning/Sanitarian OfficeCounty Env. Health

County locator

Coffey County in Kansas

64
County map
Coffey County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score

How Coffey County scores

Seclusion69100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency52100% ev.
Admin Boringness5790% ev.
Durability41100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost74100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$198kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$2,681Land / acre
38.8"Annual rain
16.1% of yrsSevere drought
18.2 / yr (+13.4)Mid-century 100°F days
23.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.18" (+2.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.53×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,233Home insurance / yr
3% / yrInsurance growth
0.93%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
5,927People within 30 min
2,831,015People within 2 hr
7,977Radius comparison (15 mi)
13.2People / sq mi
4.9%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
0.1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
551 acWorkable land screen
12.9%Wooded land
54.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.8°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Coffey County

Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.

Not yet researched: Avon Township · Burlington Township · Gridley · Hampden Township · Key West Township · Lebo · LeRoy · LeRoy Township · Liberty Township · Lincoln Township · Neosho Township · Pleasant Township · Pottawatomie Township · Rock Creek Township · Spring Creek Township · Star Township · Waverly

Answers from the rulebook for Coffey County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Coffey County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, or land improvement subject to county zoning regulations.

    • This is a county zoning-permit requirement, not a verified county building-code permit requirement.
    • Agricultural exemptions and municipal rules may differ.
    • The current county page identifies an April 2026 zoning-regulation edition as official.
    “Prior to the construction, reconstruction, moving or structural alteration of any structure, or the improvement of land prior to its use, or the use of any land or structure being changed to any other use, an application for a Zoning Certificate must be completed, when required and approved by the Zoning Administrator.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    County zoning field inspection after completion of construction, moving, or change of use.

    • The source describes a field inspection for issuance of an Occupancy Certificate, not a complete building-code inspection program.
    “Upon the completion of construction or moving or a change in the use of a structure or land, the Applicant shall notify the Zoning Administrator so that a field inspection can be made and a Certificate of Occupancy issued.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Completion of construction, moving, or change in use subject to the county zoning-permit process.

    • The applicant must notify the Zoning Administrator when the structure or premises is ready.
    • A field inspection is made before issuance.
    • The certificate or written denial is to be issued within 10 days after notification of readiness.

    decision period: 10 days (after the Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use)

    “A certificate shall be issued, or written notice shall be given to the Applicant stating the reasons why a certificate cannot be issued within 10 days after the Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Coffey County zoning regulations, especially the county zoning jurisdiction and unincorporated areas.

    • Zoning permits and special applications are required.
    • The county planning page identifies an April 2026 zoning-regulation edition as official; the accessible detailed PDF is labeled 2023 and should not be treated as the current dimensional schedule without confirmation.
    “Coffey County is a zoned county and has zoning and subdivision regulations.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning in Coffey County, including county zoning jurisdiction and areas subject to incorporated-city or other local jurisdiction.

    • The county regulations do not necessarily administer every incorporated municipality or every geographic exception.
    “These regulations shall apply to all buildings, structures and land in the unincorporated area of Coffey County except in the following described areas of land around specified cities for no more than three miles from the nearest point of the city limits”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Coffey County's county-administered zoning framework and subdivision regulations.
      “Coffey County is a zoned county and has zoning and subdivision regulations.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and district map.

    • The county page lists an official zoning map and official zoning regulations as helpful documents.
    “Zoning Regulations - April 2026 Edition 2 (PDF) Zoning Certificate (PDF) Official Zoning Map (PDF) Subdivision Regulations (PDF)”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Private wastewater facilities, septic systems, lagoons, alternative systems, and related sanitation permitting.

    • Coffey County Environmental Health administers local private wastewater regulation and permitting.
    • State KDHE materials are linked as related standards, but the cited county pages identify county administration.
    “Protecting the Health and Well being of the Public by ensuring the integrity of clean drinking water, neighborhood cleanliness, and private wastewater treatment regulation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County — Private wastewater treatment regulation and related environmental-health services in Coffey County.
      “Private Wastewater Facilities Construction Standards Inspection Mortgage/Refinancing Inspection Siting Protocol Soil Profiles for System Determination Wastewater System Permitting”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Wastewater treatment systems for which Coffey County's operational-use permitting process applies.

    • The page lists a Wastewater Treatment System Operational Use Permit and a $125 permit fee.
    • The page does not expressly establish that every new septic, lagoon, or alternative system must obtain this permit.

    permit fee: 125 USD

    “Wastewater Treatment System Operational Use Permit (PDF) Permit Fee - $125”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    County private wastewater construction, property-transfer, resale, septic, lagoon, and alternative-system inspections.

    • Inspection requirements vary by system and circumstance.
    • The county publishes separate lagoon and septic/alternative-system inspection fees.
    • The septic/alternative-system inspection fee includes inspection of an on-site private water well.

    lagoon inspection fee: 100 USD · septic or alternative-system inspection fee: 135 USD (Includes inspection of on-site private water well.)

    “Lagoon Inspection Fee - $100 Septic System/Alternative System Inspection Fee- $135 Includes inspection of on-site private water well”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Coffey County septic, lagoon, and alternative-system inspection services, including listed property-transfer/resale context.
      “Property Transfer / Resale Inspection [...] Lagoon Inspection Fee - $100 Septic System/Alternative System Inspection Fee- $135 Includes inspection of on-site private water well”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision, platting, lot splits, and related development in unincorporated Coffey County.

    • The regulations apply to unincorporated land, subject to listed city-area exceptions and annexation provisions.
    • The accessible subdivision regulations state an edition date of July 27, 2016 and effective date of August 18, 2016.
    • Subdivision review coordinates with zoning regulations, sanitation codes, utilities, roads, drainage, and flood protection.
    “These regulations shall apply to all the unincorporated land in Coffey County, Kansas, except as described below in the areas of land around specific cities”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Entrance or driveway construction and utility construction affecting county roads or rights-of-way.

    • Permits or permission are required from the Coffey County Highway Department.
    “Permits/permission is required for entrance/driveway construction, and utility construction”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Subdivision and zoning review for land in or near floodplain areas in unincorporated Coffey County.

    • County zoning materials state that Kansas Department of Agriculture Water Division regulations may affect sites in or adjacent to floodplain areas.
    • Subdivision plats in FEMA-mapped floodplain areas must show floodway and base-flood-elevation boundaries and must minimize flood damage, protect utilities, and provide adequate drainage.
    • The accessible zoning-regulation index states that Coffey County is not a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program.
    • A county-specific floodplain permit process and designated local floodplain administrator were not fully verified from an accessible official county or state administrator page.
    “Whenever a subdivision of land including platting for developments on one-lot plats is located on a floodplain map(s) prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the following requirements shall apply:”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County wastewater permit and inspection fees.

    • The published fees apply to the wastewater services identified on the page and do not establish fees for every county permit.

    wastewater operational-use permit fee: 125 USD · lagoon inspection fee: 100 USD · septic system/alternative system inspection fee: 135 USD (Includes inspection of on-site private water well)

    “Wastewater Treatment System Operational Use Permit (PDF) Permit Fee - $125 [...] Lagoon Inspection Fee - $100 Septic System/Alternative System Inspection Fee- $135 Includes inspection of on-site private water well”
  • Permit processPartial

    County zoning and private wastewater permit processes.

    • The planning page identifies zoning permits and special applications and provides the Zoning Administrator contact.
    • The wastewater page identifies the operational-use permit, application materials, and contact number.
    • A complete general building-permit process was not verified.
    “A Zoning Certificate shall be either approved or disapproved by the Zoning Administrator within 10 days after the receipt of an application thereof or within such further period as may be agreed to by the Applicant.”

Kansas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

    An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwelling or another structure located on the residential or farm property owned by that person.

    • The work must be roofing services, including construction, installation, renovation, repair, maintenance, alteration, waterproofing, or removal of materials or structures.
    • The owner must perform the work personally or use employees; the exemption applies without the assistance of any registered roofing contractor.
    • The statute separately exempts roofing services whose aggregate price on each undertaking or project during any fiscal year is less than $2,000, but that exemption does not apply to a person who advertises or uses a sign, card, or other device indicating that the person is a roofing contractor or qualified to engage in that business.
    • An administrative or governing body with authority to enter into public contracts must require individual roofing-contractor registration for persons submitting or entering into a public bid or contract.
    • This is a roofing-registration exemption only; it does not establish a general exemption from local contractor licensing, building permits, or inspections.
    “The roofing contractor registration act shall not apply to:(1) An actual owner of commercial, residential or farm property who physically performs, or has employees who perform, roofing services including, construction, installation, renovation, repair, maintenance, alteration, waterproofing or removal of materials or structures on such owner's own dwelling or another structure located on the residential or farm property owned by such person without the assistance of any registered roofing contractor;”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Statewide Kansas building-energy-code and state fire-prevention-code framework, including new commercial and industrial structures and specified classes of new construction, additions, and occupancy changes.

    • Kansas is a home rule state and local jurisdictions retain responsibility and authority for adoption and enforcement of building energy codes.
    • The statewide IECC 2006 standard applies to new commercial and industrial structures.
    • The state corporation commission has no authority to adopt or enforce energy-efficiency standards for residential, commercial, or industrial structures.
    • Cities and counties may adopt or enforce energy-efficiency standards within their jurisdictions.
    • Kansas State Fire Marshal review for the Kansas Fire Prevention Code applies to the building and occupancy categories listed on the official plans-review page, including large assembly, specified educational and institutional occupancies, and specified residential occupancies.
    • For new homes, the state requires homebuilders and realtors to disclose certain energy-efficiency information using the Kansas Energy Efficiency Disclosure form.

    state energy-efficiency code: 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC 2006) (Applicable state standard for new commercial and industrial structures) · state fire-prevention building code: 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) (Projects reviewed for compliance with the Kansas Fire Prevention Code; applicability depends on the project and occupancy categories stated by the State Fire Marshal)

    “Because Kansas is a home rule state, the responsibility for adoption and enforcement of building energy codes lies with local jurisdictions.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Kansas statewide building-code adoption authority as specifically addressed by the state energy-efficiency statute.
      “The International Energy Conservation Code 2006 (IECC 2006) is hereby adopted as the applicable energy efficiency standard for new commercial and industrial structures in this state.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Kansas county zoning regulations for unincorporated urban areas and municipal zoning regulations adopted under Kansas planning and zoning statutes.

    • Actual minimum dimensions or area are set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
    • County urban-area regulations must be uniform within each zoning classification, but may differ between classifications.
    • No statewide numeric minimum lot area was identified.

    minimum lot dimensions or area: local zoning classification

    “the density of population, including minimum width, depth and area of lots”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building setbacks and yard or open-space requirements established by applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.

    • Actual setback distances are determined by the applicable local zoning classification or applicable highway/street setback resolution.
    • Agricultural buildings may still be regulated for setbacks from public roads under K.S.A. 19-2960.
    • No statewide numeric setback distance was identified.

    yard, court, open-space, or street/highway setback: local regulation

    “the size of yards, courts and other open spaces”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Percentage of a lot that may be occupied under applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.

    • Actual lot-coverage percentage is set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
    • No statewide numeric lot-coverage percentage was identified.

    maximum percentage of lot occupied: local zoning classification percent

    “the percentage of lots that may be occupied”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building height and number-of-stories restrictions established by applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.

    • Actual height or story limits are set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
    • No statewide numeric building-height limit was identified.

    maximum building height or stories: local zoning classification

    “restrict and regulate the height, number of stories and size of buildings”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement and residential occupancy of manufactured homes in Kansas jurisdictions with applicable county or city zoning regulations.

    • Manufactured homes remain subject to applicable county and city zoning regulations.
    • A governing body may not exclude manufactured homes from its entire zoning jurisdiction.
    • A governing body may not exclude residential-design manufactured homes from single-family residential districts solely because they are manufactured homes.
    • Architectural or aesthetic standards compatible with site-built housing may still apply.
    • Valid restrictive covenants running with the land are not preempted.
    • The source states the zoning provision became effective January 1, 1992.
    “All mobile homes shall be subject to zoning regulations of counties and cities applicable to areas in which such homes are located.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Domestic wastewater disposal without a public sewer connection, using an approved septic system, lagoon, or alternative onsite system.

    • Domestic wastewater must be discharged to an approved sewage collection system, approved lagoon, septic system, alternative system, or permitted sewage treatment plant.
    • Private sewerage facilities are conditioned on public sewers not being available and on compliance with local requirements.
    • Seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells (rat holes) are not permitted.
    • No private onsite wastewater system may have a surface discharge.
    • Alternative systems may require a local variance; where there is no local code, KDHE may grant a variance.
    “Wastewater from a home shall be discharged to a properly designed and maintained septic tank–soil absorption field or wastewater pond, an approved alternative treatment and disposal system, or a permitted sewage treatment plant. Seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells (rat holes) are not permitted. [...] No private onsite wastewater system shall have a surface discharge.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-well construction, reconstruction, and plugging in Kansas, including county and city permitting requirements where applicable.

    • Many counties require water-well permits, and some cities do as well; the KDHE page reports that 68 counties had responded to its January 2026 poll.
    • A well may also need a Division of Water Resources permit, Class V Authorization, Public Water Supplies permit, or another authorization depending on the well.
    • Kansas requires well logs for all water-well construction, reconstruction, and plugging statewide.
    “Many counties in Kansas require a permit for water wells. Even some cities have permitting requirements. Please look below to see if you need a permit for your well. 68 counties have responded so far, counties not shown below did not respond to our poll. The poll was sent in January of 2026, and will be updated annually.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Private onsite sewerage facilities serving domestic wastewater in Kansas.

    • A private sewerage facility may proceed only when public sewers are not available and all applicable local requirements are met.
    • The source does not establish a statewide requirement to connect to public water service.
    “Proceed with any private sewerage facility only when public sewers are not available and all applicable local requirements are met.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Use of land for agricultural purposes and erection or maintenance of agricultural buildings under city or county zoning regulations adopted under Kansas planning and zoning statutes.

    • The exemption applies only while the land and buildings are used for agricultural purposes and not otherwise.
    • The exemption does not apply to flood-plain regulations in designated flood plains.
    • Under K.S.A. 19-2960, dwellings, garages, and other similar accessory buildings are not agricultural buildings.
    • Under K.S.A. 19-2960, all buildings, including agricultural buildings, may be regulated for setbacks from public roads.
    • K.S.A. 12-758 applies to regulations adopted by a city pursuant to K.S.A. 12-715b or by a county pursuant to the planning and zoning act.

    agricultural-use condition: land and buildings must be used for agricultural purposes and not otherwise (Flood-plain regulations remain applicable.) · public-road setback exception: permitted (Agricultural buildings may be regulated as to setbacks from public roads under K.S.A. 19-2960.)

    “regulations adopted by a city pursuant to K.S.A. 12-715b, and amendments thereto, or a county pursuant to this act shall not apply”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals and vacation units or properties regulated by a Kansas municipality during the temporary statutory period from May 15, 2026 through July 25, 2026.

    • The temporary rule applied from May 15, 2026 through July 25, 2026.
    • No municipality could limit the number of permits or other municipal authorizations or limit rental duration during that period.
    • Completed authorization applications had to receive a response within 15 calendar days.
    • If the municipality failed to process and respond within 15 calendar days, the application was deemed approved and no additional municipal regulation or code requirement could be imposed as a condition of approval.
    • The definition excluded a permanent guest or a person occupying under a contract intended for long-term or permanent occupancy for more than 28 consecutive days within the period.

    application response deadline: 15 calendar days (completed municipal authorization applications during the statutory period)

    “During such period, all completed applications to a municipality [...] shall be processed by the municipality [...] within 15 calendar days.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Kansas counties adopting zoning regulations for all or any portion of unincorporated county territory.

    • The authority is exercised by the board of county commissioners through resolution and under the applicable planning-and-zoning act.
    • Permissible subjects include building height, number of stories, building size, lot coverage, yards and open spaces, population density including minimum lot dimensions, building and land uses, and floodplain land use.
    • County zoning jurisdiction may cover all or any portion of the unincorporated area; incorporated municipalities have separate statutory zoning jurisdiction.
    “The board of county commissioners, by resolution, may provide for the adoption or amendment of zoning regulations for the unincorporated portion of the county in the manner, and for the purposes, provided by this act.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    Kansas counties' authority to require building permits and regulate construction in unincorporated areas through subdivision regulations

    • The county must first adopt a comprehensive plan before adopting subdivision regulations under K.S.A. 19-2961.
    • The permit procedures apply to lots divided, subdivided, resubdivided, or replatted within an area governed by the county's subdivision regulations.
    • No building authorization may be granted for a structure on a lot subdivided, resubdivided, or replatted after adoption of the regulations unless the statutory approval process is followed.
    • Regulations must provide a building-permit procedure for lots divided into not more than two tracts without replatting, unless otherwise provided.
    • Permit procedures must account for zoning regulations, adequate street rights-of-way, easements, and improvement of public facilities, and specify a decision time limit.
    • The statute permits the final permit decision to be made by the county commission, subject to other law.

    maximum tracts for permit without replatting: <= 2 tracts (unless otherwise provided by the county regulations)

    “Any regulations adopted by the board of county commissioners with reference to subdividing lots shall provide for the issuance of building permits”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Kansas counties adopting and enforcing building codes in unincorporated portions of the county.
      “Any part of a code adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section may be made applicable, by resolution, either to all unincorporated portions of the county or to any area of the county outside of but within three (3) miles of the nearest point of the corporate limits of any city.”

Set by your township or city, not the county

In Kansas, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Coffey County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your township or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.

  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Coffey County, Kansas

Is Coffey County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Coffey County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 5,927 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

Do you need a building permit in Coffey County, Kansas?

Coffey County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Coffey County Health Department (Environmental Health Officer / county Sanitary Code). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Coffey County, Kansas?

Land in Coffey County runs about $2,681 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Coffey County?

Coffey County gets about 38.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 16.1% of years.

How remote is Coffey County?

A representative private-land location has about 5,927 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,831,015 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Coffey compares in Kansas

Compare side-by-side →See all 105 Kansas counties ranked →