Bolthole Index

Harvey County, Kansas

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

43Index Score / 100
#80 of 105 in Kansas

Unincorporated Harvey County, Kansas requires a building permit for new buildings, additions, signs, and permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary structures, but the county has no building codes and conducts no completion inspection123. Zoning approval comes from the county in unincorporated areas and from each city inside its limits that has adopted zoning4. Septic permits and well permits come from the county Planning, Zoning and Environmental Department53.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered construction in unincorporated Harvey County1
Building codes
The county says it has no building codes and recommends the International Building Code3
Zoning
Yes; county zoning and subdivision rules apply in unincorporated areas67
Septic
A county sewer permit is required for a new or modified private sewer system53
Private well
A county permit is required for domestic, lawn-and-garden, or livestock wells3
RV and tiny home
RV living is prohibited on residential lots and unapproved locations; tiny-home rules unconfirmed8
Owner-builder
No exemption from the county building-permit requirement was confirmed9
Agricultural structure
The permit remains required, but the building-permit fee is waived for a valid agricultural purpose10

Who to call

Zoning

Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental

Parcel zoning, building-permit guidance, land-use review, septic and well questions, and floodplain coordination

(316) 284-6940

Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental, 215 S. Pine St., Newton, KS 67114

Building permits

Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental — Permit Services

Building, sewer, well, zoning and floodplain permit information and applications

Floodplain permits

Harvey County Floodplain Management

Local floodplain mapping and county coordination for construction in special flood hazard areas

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

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

Yes. Unincorporated Harvey County requires a building permit for new buildings, additions, signs, and permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary structures and construction sites13. Roof repairs and interior or exterior remodeling of an existing home do not need the county permit described on the permit page3. Apply before work begins because the county fee page says fees must be paid before construction and warns that violation or after-the-fact fees may be assessed3.

A permit does not mean Harvey County performs construction-code inspection. The county states that it has no building codes, does not conduct a building inspection at completion, and does not issue a certificate of occupancy; it recommends building to the International Building Code3. Agricultural projects need careful handling too: a structure or use with a valid agricultural purpose still needs a permit, although Harvey County waives the building-permit fee10.

Who issues building, septic and well permits in Harvey County, Kansas?

Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental is the first county office for rural building permits, parcel zoning, private sewer and well questions, and floodplain coordination153. Call the department at (316) 284-6940 or visit Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental, 215 S. Pine St., Newton, KS 6711411.

Start the conversation with the parcel number, proposed use, structure type, dimensions, and a rough site plan. The department reviews building permits for unincorporated parts of Harvey County and enforces county zoning and subdivision regulations6. If the parcel is inside an incorporated city that has adopted its own zoning, the city handles zoning approval there; the county's zoning authority excludes those cities, while county septic and well permits are still issued by the county department412. For a driveway connecting to the Kansas state highway system, obtain the state highway permit agreement before doing work in the right-of-way; the reviewed material does not confirm the local-road driveway process, so ask the county department which road authority controls the frontage13.

Does Harvey County, Kansas have zoning, and what are the setbacks?

Yes. Harvey County zones every part of the county except land inside incorporated municipalities that have adopted their own zoning ordinance, and the county's published districts include agricultural, rural residential, rural development and service, industrial, aquifer-protection, airport, and floodplain districts or overlays1267.

In the A-1 Agricultural District, the minimum front yard is 200 feet from the centerline of a state or federal highway, 150 feet from the centerline of a county road, and 80 feet from the centerline of a township or other public road; principal structures need 75-foot side and rear yards, and a side yard can drop to 40 feet with a waiver from the adjacent owner14. In the R-S Rural Single Family Residential District, front yards are 200 feet from a state or federal highway, 120 feet from a county road, and 80 feet from a township or other public road, with 40-foot principal side and rear yards14. If a setback cannot be met, a site plan goes to the county director before construction and a waiver or variance is needed14.

In R-S, the minimum lot size is 3 acres with a public water service district or 5 acres on individual wells, and the RDS district requires 5 acres or as the Planning Commission directs15. Ask Planning, Zoning and Environmental which district covers the parcel before laying out a home, septic system or driveway11. Kansas generally exempts land and buildings used only for agriculture from local zoning, but dwellings, garages and similar accessory buildings are not agricultural buildings16. Harvey County still requires the agricultural building permit even when it waives the fee10.

How do septic and well permits work in Harvey County, Kansas?

Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental administers the county sanitary code and requires a sewer permit for new construction, modification, or replacement of a private sewer system53. The published sewer application cost is $200, plus a 2.5% fee for credit-card payment; an environmental officer reviews the application and may require a site visit or soil-profile test3. A private sewage system may not be covered until the county has inspected and approved the construction17. No private sewer may be built within 400 feet of an existing public sewer unless the county finds connection infeasible18. Kansas minimum standards also apply, and local sanitary codes may be stricter19. Private sewerage may proceed only where public sewers are unavailable and local requirements are met20.

Only about 1.7% of Harvey County soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make the site evaluation an early contingency rather than assuming a standard lateral field will work21. Kansas does not allow seepage pits, cesspools, dry wells, or surface discharge from a private onsite wastewater system22. Harvey County also requires a permit for domestic, lawn-and-garden, or livestock wells in unincorporated areas; the published well application cost is $100, plus a 2.5% credit-card fee3.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Harvey County, Kansas?

No, not on an ordinary residential lot. Unincorporated Harvey County bars using a recreational vehicle for living, sleeping or housekeeping when it is parked on a residential lot or in any location not approved for that use8. The rule does not itself list the approved locations, so ask Planning, Zoning and Environmental about a specific parcel in writing2311.

The approved route is a campground, retreat, RV park or travel camper park, which needs a discretionary conditional use permit even in the A-1 Agricultural District; such a campground must be at least 2 acres with an approved water supply and wastewater system, and travel trailers must sit at least 50 feet from any public street, right-of-way or property line24. A tiny home on wheels is not addressed by name in the material we could confirm, so ask the county whether it would be treated as an RV, a structure needing a building permit, or a dwelling in the parcel's district63. Kansas law also keeps manufactured homes subject to county or city zoning, although a jurisdiction cannot exclude qualifying manufactured homes from its entire zoning territory solely because they are manufactured25. Any occupied arrangement that produces wastewater must discharge to an approved system; surface discharge is prohibited22.

What are the steps to build a home in Harvey County, Kansas?

  1. Call Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental at (316) 284-6940 with the parcel number and proposed use; request the zoning district, overlays, setbacks, lot requirements, and application list117.
  1. Confirm whether the site lies in a special flood hazard area; construction there needs both Harvey County and Kansas permitting, and the county's floodplain fee is $400 for a primary residential structure2627.
  1. Submit the county building-permit application before covered construction, remembering that the permit is a land-use approval rather than a county construction-code inspection13.
  1. Apply for the private-sewer permit and complete any requested site visit or soil-profile test before finalizing the house location53.
  1. Apply for a county well permit if the project will use a domestic well in unincorporated Harvey County3.
  1. Identify the road authority; obtain a state permit before connecting a driveway to the Kansas state highway system13.
  1. Build to a professionally selected code standard because Harvey County says it does not conduct a completion building inspection or issue a certificate of occupancy3.

What should you check before buying land in Harvey County?

Begin with the parcel's zoning district, legal use, setbacks, minimum lot size, overlays, floodplain status, and legal access because local classifications control the buildable envelope72829. Determine whether access meets a county, township, city, or state road; a state-highway driveway requires a state permit13.

Make wastewater feasibility a contract contingency because only about 1.7% of county soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field21. Harvey County is nearly all gentle terrain, with 100% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but flat ground does not eliminate drainage or flood risk30. Annual precipitation averages about 33.7 inches, while severe drought occurs in about 25.6% of years, so verify a dependable water source and well feasibility3132. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,5173334. For an existing rural home, ask the county whether any private-well or sewer transfer inspection is required before closing5.

Watch-outs

  • Harvey County requires the permit but says it has no building codes, does not inspect the completed building, and issues no certificate of occupancy; arrange independent code-based plans and inspections3.
  • Living in an RV on a residential lot or any location not approved for that use is prohibited in unincorporated Harvey County; tiny-home occupancy, accessory dwellings and minimum dwelling size remain unconfirmed, so ask Planning, Zoning and Environmental first811.
  • No owner-builder exemption from Harvey County's building-permit requirement was confirmed9.
  • Construction in a special flood hazard area needs county and state approvals before dirt work or building begins26.
  • Inside an incorporated city that has adopted its own zoning, the county's zoning does not apply, so ask the city about building and zoning approvals; county septic and well permits still come from Planning, Zoning and Environmental45.

Sources

  1. Permit Fees and Applications (2026 county census)
  2. Permit Fees and Applications, quoted and re-checked
  3. Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental — Permit Services (harveycounty.gov)
  4. Article 1. Authority, Adoption & Application of Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  5. KDHE - County Environmental / Sanitary Codes (Harvey County) (2026 county census)
  6. Planning, Zoning and Environmental (2026 county census)
  7. Plans and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  8. Article 16. Supplemental Use Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  9. K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions (2026 county census)
  10. Article 7. Permits Required for Development, quoted and re-checked
  11. Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental (harveycounty.gov)
  12. Article 8. Creation of Zoning Districts and Official Map, quoted and re-checked
  13. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article 9: A-1 Agricultural Zoning District, quoted and re-checked
  15. Article 10: R-S Rural Single Family Residential District, quoted and re-checked
  16. K.S.A. 12-758 — Agricultural land exempted from zoning regulations (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Harvey County Sanitary Code, quoted and re-checked
  18. Harvey County Sanitary Code, quoted and re-checked
  19. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. 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
  22. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Article 16. Supplemental Use Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. Article 9. A-1 Agricultural Zoning District, quoted and re-checked
  25. K.S.A. 75-1218 — Exemption from construction codes; zoning (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Harvey County Floodplain Management (harveycounty.gov)
  27. Permit Fees and Applications, quoted and re-checked
  28. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Harvey County has countywide zoning.

RuleHarvey CountyMarion CountyMcPherson CountySedgwick CountyReno CountyButler CountyKingman County
Building permitRequiredRequiredLimitedRequiredLimitedRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty PlanningMarion CountyCounty SanitarianCounty MABCDCounty Public WorksCounty Env. HealthKingman County

County locator

Harvey County in Kansas

43
County map
Harvey County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score

How Harvey County scores

Seclusion36100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency2798% ev.
Admin Boringness4590% ev.
Durability45100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost71100% 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
1.5%Property tax
$3,859Land / acre
33.7"Annual rain
25.6% of yrsSevere drought
33.5 / yr (+21)Mid-century 100°F days
22.9 daysMid-century dry spell
2.22" (+6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,386Home insurance / yr
1% / yrInsurance growth
1.88%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
50,064People within 30 min
1,333,766People within 2 hr
41,598Radius comparison (15 mi)
62.1People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
1.7%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
5,922 acWorkable land screen
6.2%Wooded land
44.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
56.4°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Harvey 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.

Alta Township · Burrton · Burrton Township · Darlington Township · Emma Township · Garden Township · Halstead · Halstead Township · Hesston · Highland Township · Lake Township · Lakin Township · Macon Township · Newton · Newton Township · North Newton · Pleasant Township · Richland Township · Sedgwick · Sedgwick Township · Walton · Walton Township

Answers from the rulebook for Harvey County

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

Harvey County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, placement, alteration, or addition of structures in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • A permit is not necessary for roof repairs or remodeling on the interior or exterior of an existing home.
    • Agricultural structures or uses associated with a valid agricultural purpose still require a permit, but no building-permit fee is required.
    • Flood-hazard-area permitting through Harvey County and Kansas is mandatory.
    “Harvey County is zoned. A building permit is required for construction in Harvey County, such as new buildings, additions or signs. A permit is not necessary for roof repairs or remodeling on the interior or exterior of an existing home. Additionally, if you intend to build in a special flood hazard area, permitting through Harvey County and the State of Kansas is also mandatory.”
  • Building code adoptedNot adopted

    County building-code adoption in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • The County recommends building to the International Building Code.
    “Harvey County does not have building codes. Upon completion, a building inspection is not conducted, and no certificate of occupancy is issued. The County recommends building to the International Building Code.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Harvey County zoning authority, with the County's UDC applying to unincorporated portions and incorporated municipalities potentially having their own zoning ordinances.

    • The UDC applies to land within the unincorporated portions of Harvey County.
    • Incorporated municipalities that have adopted zoning ordinances are excluded from the County zoning authority.
    “It is the intent of these regulations that every part of Harvey County, excluding land lying within incorporated municipalities that have adopted a zoning ordinance, is under the zoning authority of the Board of County Commissioners and shall be included in one of the zoning districts established herein.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — County zoning and development regulation in unincorporated Harvey County.
      “Harvey County is a zoned county. Building permits are required for all permanent, semi-permanent and temporary structures, as well as construction sites.”
    • Present (with conditions) — Land and land use in unincorporated portions of Harvey County, Kansas.
      “These regulations shall apply to all land and use of the land within the unincorporated portions of Harvey County, Kansas.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Harvey County, combining County zoning for unincorporated areas with municipal zoning within incorporated jurisdictions.

    • Harvey County establishes regulations for unincorporated or rural portions of the county.
    • Cities maintain regulations within their respective jurisdictions.
    • The County UDC excludes incorporated municipalities that have adopted a zoning ordinance.
    “The Harvey County Planning Commission establishes regulations for the unincorporated, or rural, portions of the county. Cities maintain regulations within their respective jurisdictions.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — County zoning regulation in unincorporated Harvey County.
      “excluding land lying within incorporated municipalities that have adopted a zoning ordinance, is under the zoning authority of the Board of County Commissioners”
    • Varies (with conditions) — Countywide aggregate of local zoning coverage: county zoning governs unincorporated areas, while incorporated municipalities that have adopted zoning ordinances are excluded from county zoning authority.
      “every part of Harvey County, excluding land lying within incorporated municipalities that have adopted a zoning ordinance, is under the zoning authority”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and overlays in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • The county publishes a zoning-regulations table of contents identifying agricultural, rural residential, rural development and service, industrial, aquifer-protection, airport, and floodplain districts or overlays, among others.
    “Creation of Zoning Districts and Official Map”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Mobile homes used as year-round residential dwellings under the Harvey County UDC.

    • The 600-square-foot threshold applies to the UDC definition of a mobile home, which must be transportable, not an RV, built before June 15, 1976, and designed for year-round residential use.
    • Article 21 separately lists mobile homes without a permitted-use designation in the extracted table; other dwelling categories may be governed by district rules.

    minimum floor area for mobile home: >= 600 square feet (Applies to the UDC-defined mobile home category.)

    “MOBILE HOME: A transportable (not RV) dwelling unit built prior to June 15, 1976, that is 600 square feet or larger in floor area, designed to be used as a year-round residential dwelling.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots and tracts governed by Harvey County zoning districts in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • In R-S, the minimum lot size is 3 acres with a public water service district or 5 acres on individual water wells.
    • In R-S, a legally created lot of record smaller than 3 acres must be approved by the Harvey County Environmental Officer for wastewater treatment and must have access or connection to a public right-of-way.
    • In RDS, the minimum lot size is 5 acres or as directed by the Planning Commission.
    • In RDS, the minimum size of any tract zoned RDS is 5 acres unless otherwise directed by the Planning Commission.
    • Separate septic, well, subdivision, floodplain, and district-specific requirements may also apply.

    R-S minimum lot size with public water service district: 3 acres · R-S minimum lot size with individual water wells: 5 acres · RDS minimum lot size: 5 acres (or as directed by the Planning Commission)

    “Minimum Lot Size 3 acres with a public water service district or 5 acres on individual water wells”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Construction and land uses governed by Harvey County zoning districts in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • Setbacks vary by zoning district and use.
    • For A-1, the minimum front yard is 200 feet from the centerline of a state or federal highway, 150 feet from the centerline of a county road, and 80 feet from the centerline of a township or other public road.
    • For A-1, minimum side yards are 75 feet for a principal structure, 25 feet for a residential accessory structure, and 0 feet for an agricultural accessory structure; a principal side yard may be reduced to not less than 40 feet with a waiver from the adjacent property owner.
    • For A-1, minimum rear yards are 75 feet for a principal structure, 25 feet for a residential accessory structure, and 0 feet for an agricultural accessory structure.
    • For R-S, minimum front yards are 200 feet from the center of a state or federal highway, 120 feet from the center of a county road, and 80 feet from the center of a township or other public road; principal side and rear yards are 40 feet, accessory side yard is 15 feet, and accessory rear yard is 10 feet from a lot line or easement.
    • If setback requirements cannot be met, a site plan must be presented to the county director before construction and a waiver and/or variance is necessary.

    A-1 state/federal highway front yard: 200 feet from centerline · A-1 county-road front yard: 150 feet from centerline · A-1 township/other public-road front yard: 80 feet from centerline · R-S state/federal highway front yard: 200 feet from center of road · R-S county-road front yard: 120 feet from center of road · R-S township/other public-road front yard: 80 feet from center of road

    “Minimum Front Yard State or Federal Highway 200’ from center of road County road 120’ from center of road Township/other public road 80’ from center of road”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Structures and uses in the A-1 Agricultural and R-S Rural Single Family Residential districts in unincorporated Harvey County.
      “Minimum Front Yard State or Federal Highway 200’ from center of road County road 120’ from center of road Township/other public road 80’ from center of road”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Use of recreational vehicles or recreational equipment for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • Recreational vehicles or equipment may not be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping when parked on a residential lot or in any location not approved for that use.
    • Recreational equipment, including travel trailers, camping buses, converted trucks, and tent trailers, may not be permanently stored in the front yard of a lot used or intended for residential purposes, except in the A-1 Agriculture District.
    • Campgrounds, RV parks, and travel camper parks are listed as conditional land uses and must comply with the supplemental campground/RV-park requirements.
    • Campgrounds/RV parks are limited to accommodations for camping trailers, tents, recreational vehicles, and similar camping vehicles; they may not be used for mobile or manufactured homes except by the owner, agent, or guardian.
    • Campgrounds must be at least two acres, on a well-drained and properly graded site, and have an approved potable water supply and wastewater treatment and disposal system.
    • Travel trailers in campgrounds must be at least 50 feet from any public street, highway right-of-way, or property line; camping spaces must front on a private roadway with unobstructed access to a public street.
    • The county zoning provisions apply outside incorporated municipalities that have adopted their own zoning ordinance.

    minimum campground area: >= 2 acres · travel-trailer setback from public street, highway right-of-way, or property line: >= 50 feet

    “No recreational vehicles or equipment shall be utilized for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked on a residential lot”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Recreational vehicle occupancy in a campground, RV park, or travel camper park in unincorporated Harvey County, including the A-1 Agricultural District.
      “The following uses shall require a “conditional use permit” [...] 3. Campground or retreat, RV park, or travel camper park”
    • Prohibited — Living, sleeping, or housekeeping in a recreational vehicle or recreational equipment parked on a residential lot or another location not approved for that use in unincorporated Harvey County.
      “No recreational vehicles or equipment shall be utilized for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes when parked on a residential lot or in any location not approved for such use.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewer systems in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • A permit is required for construction or modification, including replacement, of a private sewer system.
    • The county permit application process costs $200, with an additional 2.5% credit-card processing fee.
    • The application is reviewed by the environmental officer; a site visit or soil-profile test may follow if necessary.
    • A private system generally may not be constructed within 400 feet of an existing public sewer unless connection is infeasible and the Administrative Agency approves the private system.

    permit application fee: 200 USD (credit-card payments incur an additional 2.5% processing fee) · public sewer separation: >= 400 feet (unless connection is infeasible and the Administrative Agency approves the private system)

    “A sewer permit is required for all new construction or modifications of a private sewer system, including replacement. [...] The application process costs $200 (credit card payment incurs a 2.5% processing fee). The application will be reviewed by the environmental officer. If necessary, a site visit or soil profile test may follow.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New or reconstructed private sewage disposal systems in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • The system may not be covered or made inaccessible until the Administrative Agency has inspected and approved construction for conformity with approved plans.
    “No private sewage disposal system constructed or reconstructed after adoption of this sanitary code shall be covered or otherwise made inaccessible until the Administrative Agency has inspected and approved the construction for conformity with the approved plans.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Domestic, lawn-and-garden, or livestock wells in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • A drilled well must be performed by a Kansas-certified driller unless completed by the property owner.
    • A well permit application costs $100, with an additional 2.5% credit-card processing fee.
    • A private water-supply permit is unavailable where public water serves or can serve the property at reasonable cost.

    well permit application fee: 100 USD (credit-card payments incur an additional 2.5% processing fee)

    “Harvey County requires a well permit for domestic, lawn and garden, or livestock wells in the unincorporated areas of the county. Information on separation requirements is available here. A well permit application can be found here. The application process costs $100 (credit card payment incurs a 2.5% processing fee). The application will be reviewed by the environmental officer. If necessary, a site visit may follow. A drilled well must be performed by a driller certified with the State of Kansas, unless completed by the property owner themselves.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Private sewer systems where public sewer service may be available.

    • No private sewerage system may be constructed within 400 feet of an existing public sewer unless the Administrative Agency finds connection infeasible and approves the private system.
    • Private water supplies are not permitted where a public water supply serves or can serve the property at reasonable cost.

    public sewer distance: < 400 feet (private system allowed only if connection is infeasible and approved) · public water availability: reasonable cost (private water-supply permit unavailable if public water serves or can serve the property)

    “No private sewerage system shall be constructed within 400 feet of an existing public sewer, unless the Administrative Agency finds that connection to such a sewer is not feasible and that a private sewerage system, meeting the minimum requirements of this code, can be constructed on the property.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Building-permit fees for structures or uses associated with a valid agricultural purpose.

    • The permit itself remains required; only the building-permit fee is waived under Article 7.
    • The county fee schedule lists agricultural accessory permits at $0.

    building permit fee: 0 USD (permit required)

    “No fee shall be required [...] but a permit must be issued.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land division in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • The county publishes subdivision regulations, including application procedure, plat contents, design standards, public improvements, lot splits, and definitions.
    • A subdivision requires wastewater-management plans and specifications approved by the sanitary-code Administrative Agency.

    subdivision preliminary subdivision plat fee: 300 USD (credit-card payments incur an additional 2.5% processing fee) · subdivision final plat review fee: 200 USD (credit-card payments incur an additional 2.5% processing fee)

    “After adoption of this code no person shall develop any subdivision until the Administrative Agency has approved plans and specifications for wastewater management for such subdivision.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in a special flood hazard area in unincorporated Harvey County.

    • Permitting through Harvey County and the State of Kansas is mandatory.
    • Published county floodplain fees vary by structure type, including $400 for a primary residential structure, $100 for a residential accessory structure, and $400 for a commercial structure.
    • Credit-card payments incur an additional 2.5% processing fee.

    primary residential floodplain permit fee: 400 USD · residential accessory floodplain permit fee: 100 USD · commercial floodplain permit fee: 400 USD

    “Additionally, if you intend to build in a special flood hazard area, permitting through Harvey County and the State of Kansas is also mandatory.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    County building, land-division, floodplain, sewer, well, and rezoning permit fees.

    • Credit-card payments incur an additional 2.5% processing fee.
    • Fees must be paid before construction starts.
    • Violations or after-the-fact fees may be assessed under the Unified Development Code.
    “(Credit card payments incur additional 2.5% processing fee) (Fees must be paid prior to start of construction. Violations or after-fact fees may be assessed as outlined in the Unified Development Code.)”

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;”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas undergoing construction or covered repairs, improvements, or occupancy changes.

    • DCC conducts the building construction inspections for buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.
    • Healthcare and childcare occupancies and Board of Regents capital-improvement projects require joint or additional OSFM inspection as described in the manual.
    • Required code inspections are tied to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
    “The Department of Administration - Office of Facilities Management - Design, Construction & Compliance conducts building construction inspections on buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Building construction inspections for buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.
      “The Department of Administration - Office of Facilities Management - Design, Construction & Compliance conducts building construction inspections on buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Any portion of a State of Kansas-owned building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy, under the Department of Administration DCC process.

    • Form 150 is issued before occupancy of any portion of a building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy.
    • Healthcare and childcare occupancies and Board of Regents capital-improvement projects require OSFM participation in construction inspections before authorization or acceptance of occupancy.
    • The manual states that failure to submit the occupancy request and schedule required inspections results in denial of occupancy.

    certificate form: Form 150 - Certificate of Occupancy

    “Form 150 - Certificate of Occupancy will be issued by DCC prior to occupancy of any portion of a building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy. For Healthcare and Childcare Occupancies and Capital Improvement Projects for the Board of Regents, OSFM will perform construction inspections prior to authorization/acceptance of occupancy.”
  • 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.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Domestic onsite wastewater systems statewide in Kansas, including septic tanks, soil absorption fields, lagoons, and approved alternative systems.

    • KDHE establishes statewide minimum standards under K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 and Bulletin 4-2.
    • Local governments may adopt stricter sanitary or environmental codes, approve plans, issue construction and operating permits, and grant variances.
    • Sanitary codes are usually administered through county health departments.
    • Where no local code exists, landowners must comply with K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 and the statewide minimum standards.
    “Local governments have the authority to adopt minimum requirements (codes) for onsite wastewater management systems, to approve individual plans, to issue permits for construction, to issue permits for operation, and to grant variances. County sanitary (environmental) codes specify local design and permitting requirements. [...] If there is no local code, landowners are required to comply with Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) 28-5-6 to 9 and minimum standards in this bulletin.”
  • 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.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction or alteration of a driveway connecting to the Kansas state highway system.

    • The requirement applies to driveways onto the state highway system.
    • No work may be performed on state highway right-of-way until an approved highway permit agreement is received.
    • Driveways connecting only to local roads are outside the cited rule's stated scope.
    “Individuals desiring to construct or alter a driveway onto the state highway system shall be required to obtain a 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.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    KDHE air-quality construction permits or approvals for projects whose potential-to-emit increase exceeds applicable regulatory thresholds.

    • A construction permit or approval must be issued before beginning actual construction or modification when the project exceeds the applicable potential-to-emit thresholds.
    • Land may be cleared, contracts made, and equipment purchased and stored before issuance.
    • Foundation work is considered beginning actual construction and must wait until issuance.
    • Equipment whose emissions contribute to the permitting requirement may not be permanently affixed or installed before issuance.
    • Pre-issuance activity is conducted at the owner or operator's financial risk.
    “foundation work is considered to be "beginning actual construction" and must wait until after issuance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Domestic septic tank and lateral-field systems and related onsite wastewater controls in Kansas.
      “Unless otherwise provided by the board of county commissioners, the local health department shall have the authority and responsibility for administering all sanitary codes.”
  • 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 Harvey 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.

  • 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.

Water rights & wells in Harvey County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Kansas’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Domestic use is statutorily exempt from the Kansas Water Appropriation Act, so a homeowner needs no state water right to drill a household well even inside a closed groundwater management district; only local/KDHE well-construction permitting applies.

Limit: Domestic use (household + livestock + ≤2 acres lawn/garden) requires no state appropriation permit

Kansas Dept of Agriculture, DWR — Water Law Basics ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Kansas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Harvey County, Kansas

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

Harvey County scores 43/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (33.7″/yr rainfall) and about 50,064 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Harvey County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Harvey County Planning, Zoning and Environmental (Harvey 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Harvey County is limited to specific cases: Use of recreational vehicles or recreational equipment for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes in unincorporated Harvey County. Recreational vehicles or equipment may not be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping when parked on a residential lot or in any location not approved for that use. Recreational equipment, including travel trailers, camping buses, converted trucks, and tent trailers, may not be permanently stored in the front yard of a lot used or intended for residential purposes, except in the A-1 Agriculture District. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Harvey County, Kansas?

Land in Harvey County runs about $3,859 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Harvey County?

Harvey County gets about 33.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 25.6% of years. On water rights, Harvey County lies in the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2 — Equus Beds aquifer district governed by an Aquifer Safe-Yield Principle plus a moratorium, effectively closing it to net new appropriations. Domestic wells remain exempt..

How remote is Harvey County?

A representative private-land location has about 50,064 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,333,766 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 Harvey compares in Kansas

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