Building permits, zoning and land rules in Franklin County, Kansas
54Index Score / 100 #34 of 105 in Kansas
Unincorporated Franklin County, Kansas requires building permits for most proposed buildings, including homes, with exceptions for small sheds and agricultural buildings1. County zoning covers all unincorporated land outside the Urban Growth Areas the county shares with its cities2. Septic permits for unincorporated land come from Franklin County Environmental Health, and temporary RV living is allowed only while building a home34.
At a glance
Building permit
Required for most buildings in unincorporated Franklin County; not for small non-habitable sheds or agricultural buildings1
Zoning
Yes; applies to unincorporated land outside city Urban Growth Areas2
Septic
Septic permit from Franklin County Environmental Health5
RV living
Temporary during construction or rebuilding, with a county permit and conditions4
Owner-builder
Generally allowed for a residence the owner owns and will personally occupy; licensed trades are still required6
Minimum lot
At least 3 acres for a residence, or 5 acres if a wastewater lagoon is needed7
Agricultural buildings
No building permit for structures used exclusively for agriculture; zoning-district setbacks still apply8
Accessory dwelling
One allowed on 5 acres or more, 500 to 1,200 sq ft9
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Do you need a building permit in Franklin County, Kansas?
Yes, for most buildings. Unincorporated Franklin County requires plan review and a building permit before construction starts on most proposed buildings, including homes1. A building permit is not required for a detached one-story structure under 200 square feet that is not habitable space, and zoning setbacks still apply to those structures1. Agricultural buildings need no building permit, but the owner files a signed, notarized affidavit of agricultural use with a deed and site plan81. Franklin County administers the 2003 editions of the International Building, Residential, Plumbing and Mechanical codes and the 2002 National Electrical Code10. An owner may generally build a residence the owner owns and will personally occupy, but electrical, plumbing and HVAC work needs licensed trades6. Building permit fees depend on the type of structure and, for a new residence, its square footage; the county posts a fee schedule11.
Who is the Franklin County building department, and how do you reach it?
Franklin County Planning & Building is the permit office for construction, zoning, subdivision review and floodplain administration in unincorporated Franklin County12. The office is at 1428 S. Main St. Suite 5 Ottawa, KS 66067, and its main number is 785.229.357012. Franklin County requires all permit applications to go through its customer portal, where applicants can submit applications, track progress and access permit information1213. The same department administers the National Flood Insurance Program using FEMA flood maps, so ask it whether a proposed building site needs floodplain review before finalizing the site plan12. Cities in Franklin County have their own jurisdiction, because the county office’s stated building and zoning responsibilities concern unincorporated Franklin County12. Septic permits and well permits stay with Franklin County Environmental Health, listed below3.
Does Franklin County have zoning?
Yes. Franklin County administers published zoning districts and regulations across unincorporated territory, excluding land inside the Urban Growth Areas set by agreements between the county and its cities214. A residence generally needs at least 3 acres if district setbacks can be met and the onsite wastewater system fits; a tract needs at least 5 acres if the soil profile requires a wastewater lagoon7. The applicable setback depends on the parcel’s zoning district, so Planning & Building should identify the district before a buyer fixes a house or outbuilding location1512. A manufactured home may be installed where a site-built home is permitted or in the Mobile Home Park District, provided the unit meets the county’s stated federal manufactured-home standard16. Structures used exclusively for agriculture remain subject to their zoning-district setbacks even when exempt from the county building permit8.
How do septic permits work in Franklin County?
Franklin County Environmental Health is the administering agency for the county’s Environmental Sanitation Code and issues septic permits in unincorporated Franklin County3. A wastewater system permit is required before building, significantly altering, replacing or removing a system; it is valid for 12 months, can be renewed annually and does not transfer to a new owner5. The code requires at least 3 acres per living unit, and a system within 400 feet of an available public sewer main may face connection requirements5. A new system must be inspected and approved before it goes into service or before an occupancy permit issues, and a seller or lessor of a property on an onsite system must have it inspected by an approved inspector17. Kansas standards bar seepage pits, cesspools, dry wells and surface discharge18. None of the county’s mapped soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, and a required lagoon raises the residential minimum tract to 5 acres197. Contact Environmental Health at 785.229.3590 or ptoth@franklincoks.org, at 1428 S. Main St. Suite 6 Ottawa, KS 6606720.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Franklin County?
Franklin County allows a camping trailer, recreational vehicle, mobile home or manufactured home as a temporary residence during construction or rebuilding only when a permanent-residence building permit has issued and the property satisfies the county’s sanitation conditions421. The temporary-use application requires approved sanitation, a $5,000 performance bond and an affidavit to remove the temporary unit within 30 days; a zoning violation can draw a fine of as much as $500 per day4. We could not confirm a separate county rule allowing full-time RV occupancy without an active home build, so ask Planning & Building about the parcel and proposed duration. A mini-home built for permanent living is allowed in unincorporated Franklin County if it meets the adopted building codes, including frost-depth footings, minimum room sizes and ceiling heights, and has a cased well or rural water plus a permanent sanitation system22. Waterless toilets and portable sanitary units are limited to temporary uses approved by Special Use Permit23. An accessory dwelling must be at least 500 square feet and no more than 1,200 square feet, detached, and on a parcel of at least 5 acres unless both homes connect to public sewer; the owner must live in one of the two units9. We could not confirm a minimum floor area for a main dwelling, so ask Planning & Building which standards apply to the proposed design.
How do you build a home in Franklin County, step by step?
Confirm that the parcel is outside city limits and ask Planning & Building for its zoning district, permitted use, district setbacks and floodplain status1215.
Verify that the tract meets the 3-acre residential minimum and whether the soil profile could require a lagoon and a 5-acre tract7.
Discuss the proposed water supply and septic site with Environmental Health before fixing the house location24.
Apply to Environmental Health for the septic permit and, separately, the water-well construction permit before drilling a private supply well520.
Obtain Public Works permission before establishing or reconstructing the property entrance25.
Submit all permit applications through Franklin County’s customer portal1312.
Complete the required inspections; Franklin County issues the certificate of occupancy after the final inspection passes2627.
What should you check before buying land in Franklin County?
Start with zoning, access and wastewater. Franklin County zoning applies across unincorporated territory outside city Urban Growth Areas, and the district determines the parcel’s setbacks215. Confirm that a proposed residence can satisfy the 3-acre minimum together with setbacks and an onsite wastewater system; land needing a lagoon must have at least 5 acres7. Public Works permission is required before establishing or reconstructing a county-road entrance, while a driveway onto the state highway system separately requires a Kansas permit2528. Franklin County Environmental Health requires a construction permit before a private supply well is drilled20. None of the county’s soils are rated as free of severe conventional-drain-field limitations, so make the site evaluation part of due diligence19. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,7372930. If the lot fronts a minimum-maintenance road, ask Planning & Building about the county resolution that restricts building permits there unless the owner agrees to upgrade the road1.
Watch-outs
Temporary RV occupancy during a home build requires an issued residence permit, approved sanitation, a $5,000 bond and removal within 30 days; violations can be fined up to $500 per day4.
A county-road entrance needs Public Works permission, while a driveway connecting to the state highway system needs a separate Kansas permit2528.
An owner may generally build a personally owned and occupied residence, but electrical, plumbing and HVAC work still requires appropriately licensed contractors6.
A seller or lessor of a property served by a private septic system must have it inspected by an approved inspector and correct failures, or make arrangements with the county, before the sale or lease17.
Written October 9, 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.
Franklin County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score
How Franklin County scores
Seclusion37100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency53100% ev.
Admin Boringness43100% ev.
Durability53100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost71100% ev.
Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →
$268kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$3,444Land / acre
39"Annual rain
10.2% of yrsSevere drought
20.1 / yr (+15)Mid-century 100°F days
20.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.11" (+3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.58×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,253Home insurance / yr
1% / yrInsurance growth
1.59%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
22,773People within 30 min
3,551,804People within 2 hr
29,679Radius comparison (15 mi)
45.7People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
99.2%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Franklin 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.
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Franklin County rules
Building permitLimited
Building construction, additions, remodeling, repairs, and changes of use in unincorporated Franklin County, Kansas.
Franklin County requires plan review before a permit can be issued and construction is started for most proposed buildings.
A permit is not required for detached one-story structures less than 200 square feet that are not used for habitable space.
A permit is not required for small repair projects that do not require structural alterations.
A permit is not required for agricultural buildings; agricultural status is based on the use of the structure, not the type of building.
All zoning requirements and setbacks still apply to the listed permit exceptions.
For agricultural buildings, Franklin County requires a completed, signed, and notarized Affidavit of Agricultural Use, together with a deed and site plan, to be kept on file.
Building permit applications must be submitted through the county customer portal.
Credit-card payments have a processing fee of 3.95%, with a minimum fee of $2.50 per transaction.
The county adopted the 2003 International Building Code, 2003 International Residential Code, 2003 International Plumbing Code, 2003 International Mechanical Code, and 2002 National Electrical Code.
For non-agricultural structures directly accessed from a minimum-maintenance road, Resolution #06-075, adopted November 27, 2006, restricts issuance of a building permit unless the affected property owner agrees to upgrade the road to required county standards.
Photovoltaic electric solar-panel installations require a permit, supporting deed, site plan, Kansas-engineer-stamped electrical and structural plans, electrician credentials and insurance; the permit is issued as an accessory structure at a cost of $75.00.
detached nonhabitable structure threshold: < 200 sq. ft. (one story) · credit-card processing fee: 3.95 percent (minimum fee of $2.50 per transaction) · minimum credit-card processing fee: 2.5 USD · agricultural-building affidavit: required (completed, signed, and notarized, with deed and site plan) · minimum-maintenance-road resolution adoption date: 2006-11-27 (Resolution #06-075) · photovoltaic accessory-structure permit fee: 75 USD
“a review of the plans for most proposed buildings is required before a permit can be issued and construction is started.”
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.
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors must be licensed for the specific trade; general contractors must be insured.
“Generally, a property owner may perform all construction work on a residence that they own and will personally occupy. General contractors are only required to be insured. Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC (Mechanical) contractors are required to be licensed for that specific trade.”
Building code adoptedAdopted
County building-code administration for construction in the county building department's jurisdiction.
The county page lists the 2003 IBC, IRC, IPC, and IMC and the 2002 NEC.
International Building Code: 2003 edition · International Residential Code: 2003 edition · International Plumbing Code: 2003 edition · International Mechanical Code: 2003 edition · National Electrical Code: 2002 edition
“Franklin County has adopted the following model codes. 2003 edition of the International Building Code 2003 edition of the International Residential Code 2003 edition of the International Plumbing Code 2003 edition of the International Mechanical Code 2002 edition of the National Electrical Code”
InspectionsRequired
Residential building occupancy and final approval under Franklin County building administration.
A passed final inspection is required before the certificate of occupancy is issued.
“The Certificate of Occupancy is issued within a couple days following a passed final inspection and is mailed to the owner, unless otherwise specified.”
Certificate of occupancyRequired
Occupancy of a new dwelling in the county building jurisdiction.
Safety and sanitation requirements must generally be complete.
The page lists wastewater and water-supply approval, smoke detectors, bathroom, kitchen, water heater, exits, guards, electrical approval, and seasonal heating completion among occupancy conditions.
A temporary certificate may be obtained in certain cases until final approval.
“before a dwelling may be legally occupied.”
County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)
Zoning regulations and districts administered through the unincorporated territory of Franklin County.
The cited county zoning statement expressly applies through the unincorporated territory of Franklin County.
“through-out the unincorporated territory of Franklin County, Kansas.”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Franklin County zoning regulations in unincorporated territory.
The regulations apply to all unincorporated territory of Franklin County.
The regulations exclude areas inside Urban Growth Areas established by interlocal agreements between Franklin County and a Franklin County city.
The regulations do not prohibit land used solely for agricultural purposes or buildings used solely for agricultural purposes.
“These Zoning Regulations shall apply to all unincorporated territory of Franklin County, Kansas except that area which lies inside the boundaries of the Urban Growth Areas established by Interlocal agreements entered into between Franklin County and any city in Franklin County.”
Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)
Franklin County zoning districts and regulations in unincorporated territory.
The county publishes or makes available the zoning regulations and zoning district map through the Planning and Building Department.
“Zoning Districts and Zoning District Map Established”
Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified
Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Franklin County, Kansas.
Only one ADU is allowed on a lot, tract, or parcel.
The parcel must generally be at least 5.00 acres unless both the ADU and principal dwelling unit can connect to public sewer and satisfy all septic requirements for the additional use.
The ADU must be detached from an existing principal dwelling unit.
The same driveway entrance must be used; a second driveway entrance for the ADU is not allowed.
Continuous driveway access for fire, ambulance, and police safety is required.
The property owner must reside in either the principal dwelling unit or the ADU.
A deed restriction must be signed and recorded with the Franklin County Register of Deeds.
The ADU may not have a basement, except that storm shelters are permitted.
The ADU is limited to two bedrooms.
One attached 24-by-24-foot garage is allowed.
A detached ADU must be at least 10 feet from and no more than 75 feet from the principal dwelling unit.
A separate onsite wastewater system may be required if the existing system is inadequate.
The ADU must meet applicable development requirements, ICC codes, and adopted Franklin County regulations.
Utility-company approval is required for the additional use.
Separate sale or ownership is prohibited unless the property is subdivided under County zoning and subdivision regulations.
No portion of the ADU may be located within a FEMA-determined floodplain.
A building permit application must be filed with the Planning and Building Department and approved by both the Planning Director and Building Official.
minimum ADU floor area: >= 500 square feet · maximum ADU floor area: <= 1200 square feet · minimum parcel area: >= 5 acres (Not required when both the ADU and principal dwelling unit connect to public sewer and satisfy all septic requirements for the additional use.) · maximum bedrooms: <= 2 bedrooms · minimum detached ADU separation from principal dwelling: >= 10 feet · maximum detached ADU separation from principal dwelling: <= 75 feet
“The minimum required square footage shall be 500 square feet.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Specified — Accessory dwelling units in the A-1, A-2, and R-E zoning districts in unincorporated Franklin County, subject to the County ADU standards.
“The minimum required square footage shall be 500 square feet.”
Minimum lot sizeSpecified
Residence construction in unincorporated Franklin County.
A 3.00-acre minimum applies if setback requirements can be met and the onsite wastewater system fits.
A minimum 5.00 acres is required if a wastewater stabilization pond (lagoon) is needed.
minimum acreage for residence: >= 3 acres (subject to setbacks and onsite wastewater fit) · minimum acreage with lagoon: >= 5 acres (if soil profile requires a wastewater stabilization pond)
“The minimum acreage size to construct a residence in the unincorporated areas of Franklin County is 3.00 acres as long as you can meet the setback requirements and your on-site wastewater system will fit on that 3.00 acre tract. If, after you have had a soil profile test done, you find out you need to install a wastestabilitization pond (lagoon) it requires a minimum 5.00 acres.”
SetbacksSpecified
Residential construction subject to the applicable Franklin County zoning district.
The setback requirement depends on the property's zoning district.
“The setback requirements for Franklin County depend on what the property is zoned. The Setback Requirements schedule will assist you in figuring out the setback requirement for your particular Zoning District.”
Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)
Temporary residence in a recreational vehicle or camping trailer during construction or rebuilding of a residence.
A building permit must have been issued for the permanent residence.
Sanitation facilities require County Sanitarian approval.
The temporary use must be removed within 30 days; violation may be fined up to $500 per day.
The application must include a $5,000 performance bond.
A temporary use permit is permitted in residential or agricultural zoning districts.
removal period: 30 days · maximum zoning-violation fine: 500 USD per day · performance bond: 5000 USD
“Temporary Use of Camping Trailers, Recreation Vehicles, Mobile Homes”
Camping on your landLimited
Temporary camping-trailer, recreational-vehicle, mobile-home, or manufactured-home residence during construction or rebuilding.
Requires a permanent-residence building permit, approved sanitation, a 30-day removal affidavit, and a $5,000 performance bond.
“Temporary Use of Camping Trailers, Recreation Vehicles, Mobile Homes”
Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)
Mini homes, including small dwelling units designed for permanent living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation, in unincorporated Franklin County.
The structure must comply with the currently adopted Franklin County Building Codes, including frost-depth footings, energy efficiency, minimum room sizes, and ceiling heights.
An approved water supply is required: a cased well or rural water.
A permanent sanitation system is required.
Waterless toilets and portable sanitary units are approved only for limited temporary uses and by Special Use Permit for limited times.
County zoning requirements and building-permit requirements also apply; the zoning regulations require a building permit before construction except for agricultural purposes.
water supply: cased well or rural water · sanitation: permanent sanitation system (Waterless toilets and portable sanitary units only in limited temporary uses and by Special Use Permit for limited times)
“Such units must be provided with an approved water supply (Cased well or Rural Water) and permanent sanitation system.”
Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)
Manufactured homes in Franklin County.
A manufactured home may be installed wherever a site-built home is permitted and in the Mobile Home Park District.
The home must comply with HUD Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards approved by HUD through 1994 or newer.
“A manufactured home may be installed anywhere that a site built home is permitted by the County Regulations and in the Mobile Home Park District. Any manufactured home installed in Franklin County must comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards approved by HUD through 1994 or newer.”
Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)
Administration of the Franklin County Environmental Sanitation Code for private onsite wastewater systems in unincorporated Franklin County.
The Franklin County Environmental Health Department is the defined Administering Agency.
The Code may apply within municipal boundaries when authorized or required by state or federal law, contract, rule, regulation, or county jurisdiction.
“It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct or perform any structurally significant alteration, remove, convert or demolish any wastewater system regulated by this Code, without first obtaining a wastewater system permit from the Franklin County Environmental Health Department.”
Septic permitRequired
Private wastewater systems regulated by the Franklin County Environmental Sanitation Code in unincorporated Franklin County.
A permit is required before erecting, constructing, performing a structurally significant alteration, removing, converting, or demolishing a regulated wastewater system.
Permits under Article 4 may be issued only for single-family residences.
A minimum lot or tract size of three acres per living unit is required except as provided in Chapter II, Article 1, Section 5.D.
The permit is valid for twelve months and may be renewed annually by order of the Planning & Building Director.
The permit is not transferable.
No private onsite wastewater system may be installed, removed, altered, repaired, or replaced except pursuant to a permit issued under the Code.
A system within 400 feet of an available public wastewater main or lateral may be subject to connection requirements.
minimum lot or tract size: >= 3 acres per living unit (except as provided in Chapter II, Article 1, Section 5.D) · permit term: 12 months (may be renewed annually) · public sewer proximity: <= 400 feet (connection requirements may apply when public service is feasible and reasonably available)
“It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to erect, construct or perform any structurally significant alteration, remove, convert or demolish any wastewater system regulated by this Code, without first obtaining a wastewater system permit from the Franklin County Environmental Health Department.”
Septic inspectionRequired
Private onsite wastewater systems regulated by the Franklin County Environmental Sanitation Code in unincorporated Franklin County, including system approval and qualifying property transfers.
A private onsite wastewater system must be inspected and approved before being placed into service or before an occupancy permit may be issued.
At least one inspection is required for each wastewater system; a second inspection may be required when the inspector determines it necessary.
The applicant, property owner, or installer must provide at least one working day of notice for a required inspection.
For a building or use served by a private onsite wastewater system offered for sale, including contract for deed, leasing, or renting, the seller or owner must have the system inspected by a licensed inspector approved by the Administering Agency.
Failures must be corrected before sale, leasing, or renting, or arrangements must be made with the Administering Agency; an Operational Certificate is issued when approved.
minimum inspections per wastewater system: >= 1 inspection (a second inspection may be required) · inspection notice: >= 1 working day
“No private on-site wastewater disposal system shall be placed into service and no occupancy permit may be issued to any person for use of any establishment to be connected to such system until the system has been inspected and approved by the Administering Agency.”
Off-grid sanitationLimited
Waterless toilets and portable sanitary units associated with mini-homes.
Waterless toilets and portable sanitary units are approved only in limited temporary uses and by Special Use Permit for limited times.
“Such units must be provided with an approved water supply (Cased well or Rural Water) and permanent sanitation system. (Waterless toilets and portable sanitary units are only approved in limited temporary uses and by Special Use Permit for limited times.)”
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
The structure must be used exclusively for qualifying agricultural purposes.
Zoning-district setbacks still apply.
An Affidavit of Agricultural Use must be completed, signed, notarized, and filed with a deed and site plan.
“Franklin County does not require a Building Permit for structures that are used exclusively for agricultural purposes. However, they do have to meet the setback requirements for the zoning district.”
Driveway accessRequired
Establishing or reconstructing a property entrance under Franklin County Public Works administration.
The owner must obtain Public Works permission before establishing or reconstructing an entrance.
The owner may obtain a permit and perform the work or pay Public Works to perform it.
“permission from the Public Works Department”
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
County building and environmental-health permit fees administered for unincorporated Franklin County.
Building permit fees vary by type of structure and, for a new residence, square footage.
The county building page directs applicants to a Building Permit fee schedule.
Environmental Health fees for construction, lagoon resale inspection, and licensing are available on an Environmental Health Fee Schedule.
Credit-card payments carry a 3.95% processing fee with a $2.50 minimum per transaction.
credit-card processing fee: 3.95 percent (minimum fee of $2.50 per transaction)
“Building permit fees are based on different factors, such as the type of structure being built and the square footage of a new residence. Please review the Building Permit fee schedule in pdf format by clicking here or contact the Planning & Building Department at 785-229-3570 for more information.”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
County permit applications administered through the Franklin County online permit center.
All permit applications must be submitted through the customer portal.
Credit-card payments incur a 3.95% processing fee with a $2.50 minimum; cash and check remain accepted in the office.
Rezoning applications must be made at least 30 days before a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting.
rezoning lead time: >= 30 days (before a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting)
“All permit applications must be submitted through the customer portal”
Kansas rules that apply here
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”
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.”
Subdividing landLimited
Subdivision, resubdivision, or replatting in Kansas areas governed by locally adopted subdivision regulations.
A plat must be submitted to the planning commission or joint committee where applicable.
A plat must conform to applicable subdivision regulations and receive the required approval.
No building or zoning permit may be issued for a lot subdivided, resubdivided, or replatted after adoption of subdivision regulations unless approved under the statutory procedure.
Local subdivision regulations may establish reasonable plat-approval fees.
The statute does not establish a single statewide subdivision standard for every parcel.
plat approval deadline: <= 60 days (If the planning commission or joint committee does not determine conformity within 60 days after the first meeting following submission, the plat is deemed approved under subsection (b).)
“All such plats shall be submitted to the planning commission or to the joint committee for subdivision regulation.”
Building in a floodplainLimited
Statewide Kansas framework governing locally adopted floodplain zones, districts, and floodplain development regulations
A local governing body may establish floodplain zones and districts; the statute does not itself impose one uniform permit requirement on every development statewide.
Any floodplain regulations must comply with the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and rules adopted under it.
Before adoption, a local ordinance, resolution, regulation, or plan creating or changing a floodplain zone or district, or regulating structures, encroachments, or land uses in the area, must be submitted to the chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources.
The chief engineer may require complete maps, plans, profiles, specifications, and textual matter; approval or disapproval is due within 90 days after receipt of all required data, and failure to act within that period results in deemed approval.
Under K.A.R. 5-44-4, local floodplain zoning regulations must identify flood hazard areas by a specific map, meet or exceed federal minimum requirements, meet or exceed applicable chief-engineer requirements, and designate a local floodplain administrator responsible for reviewing and issuing floodplain development permits.
K.A.R. 5-44-1 states that its definitions apply in administering K.S.A. 12-766; its listed effective dates are January 1, 1992 and February 17, 1992.
chief engineer review period: 90 days (After receipt of all data required by the chief engineer; failure to approve or disapprove within the period results in deemed approval.) · flood threshold referenced by K.S.A. 12-766: 1% annual chance (The governing body may restrict application to lands adjacent to watercourses subject to floods of a lesser magnitude than that having a one-percent chance occurrence in any one year.)
“The governing body may establish flood plain zones and districts and restrict the use of land therein”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Limited — Development in special flood hazard areas under Kansas local floodplain-management ordinances based on the Kansas Department of Agriculture model ordinance.
“In all areas covered by this ordinance, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit”
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 Franklin 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.
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 Franklin County, Kansas
Is Franklin County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Franklin County scores 54/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: sparse surroundings — about 22,773 people within a 30-minute drive.
Do you need a building permit in Franklin County, Kansas?
Franklin 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 Franklin County Environmental Health (under the 2017 Franklin County Environmental Sanitation 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.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Franklin County?
Living in an RV on your own land in Franklin County is allowed on a temporary basis only: Temporary residence in a recreational vehicle or camping trailer during construction or rebuilding of a residence. A building permit must have been issued for the permanent residence. Sanitation facilities require County Sanitarian approval. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.
How much does land cost in Franklin County, Kansas?
Land in Franklin County runs about $3,444 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Franklin County?
Franklin County gets about 39" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.2% of years.
How remote is Franklin County?
A representative private-land location has about 22,773 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,551,804 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.
