Building permits, zoning and land rules in Hodgeman County, Kansas
41Index Score / 100 #87 of 105 in Kansas
Unincorporated Hodgeman County, Kansas does not require a residential building permit, although the county has not published an ordinance that expressly confirms the rule1. Jetmore and Hanston can set separate rules inside city limits2. Hodgeman County administers onsite wastewater locally, and county permits are required for the listed household, lawn-and-garden, livestock and geothermal wells34.
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Do you need a building permit in Hodgeman County, Kansas?
Unincorporated Hodgeman County does not require a residential building permit1. The county has not published an ordinance that expressly confirms that answer, so call the Hodgeman County Clerk before starting work8. Kansas leaves local jurisdictions responsible for adopting and enforcing building energy codes; the statewide energy standard applies to new commercial and industrial structures, while new homes are subject to an energy-efficiency disclosure rather than a statewide residential building code9. State Fire Marshal jurisdiction generally excludes one- and two-family dwellings, though a complaint can trigger an inspection of any building10. Jetmore and Hanston are separate jurisdictions and may apply their own rules inside city limits2.
Who do you call about building, zoning or land-use questions in Hodgeman County?
Hodgeman County does not list a building or planning department, so the Hodgeman County Clerk is the practical first call for residential building, zoning and land-use questions8. Reach the Clerk at 620-357-6421 or hgcountyclerk@ks.gov, PO Box 247, Jetmore, KS 678548. Hodgeman County administers onsite wastewater through its Local Environmental Protection Program and county sanitarian, so direct septic questions to the Health Department311. Direct county-road access and right-of-way work to the Road Department12. For a parcel inside Jetmore or Hanston, contact the city because municipal rules can differ from those in unincorporated Hodgeman County2.
Does Hodgeman County have zoning?
Unincorporated Hodgeman County appears to have no countywide zoning, but the county has not published an explicit no-zoning statement or a complete ordinance index2. Ask the Hodgeman County Clerk to confirm the status of a specific parcel and any setback, height or lot-coverage rule before relying on that answer8. Jetmore and Hanston are separate jurisdictions, so land inside either city can follow municipal rules instead2. Kansas protects land and buildings used only for agricultural purposes from otherwise applicable city or county zoning, but the protection does not override floodplain regulation7. Kansas also requires political subdivisions to allow qualifying new single-family homes on a minimum residential lot of 3,000 square feet when the home has less than 2,500 square feet of livable floor area, subject to reasonable setbacks6.
How do septic permits work in Hodgeman County?
Hodgeman County administers onsite wastewater through its Local Environmental Protection Program and county sanitarian under a county environmental code adopted in December 19953. The accessible county material does not state the exact permit or inspection steps, so ask the Hodgeman County Health Department what approval, site evaluation and final inspection your project needs11. A private system is an option only when public sewer is unavailable and local requirements are met; approved choices include a sewage collection system, lagoon, septic system, alternative system or permitted treatment plant13. Private ponds must be nondischarging and fenced, and onsite systems may not discharge to the surface14. Seepage pits, cesspools and dry wells are prohibited15. Only about 38% of county soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field, so evaluate the site early16.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Hodgeman County?
We could not confirm a countywide rule allowing or prohibiting full-time RV or tiny-home occupancy on private land in Hodgeman County. The apparent absence of countywide zoning does not by itself make either use legal2. Ask the Hodgeman County Clerk about occupancy, setbacks and any parcel-specific restriction before buying land for an RV or tiny home8. A tiny home still needs lawful wastewater service: where public sewer is unavailable, domestic wastewater must use an approved lagoon, septic system, alternative system or permitted treatment plant that meets local requirements13. For property served by the City of Hanston, water and sewer are municipal utilities, and new customers or reconnections must complete a utility contract and pay a $50 connection fee17. City rules may also differ from unincorporated-county rules2.
What are the steps to build a home in Hodgeman County?
Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Hodgeman County or inside Jetmore or Hanston, because city rules can differ2.
Ask the Hodgeman County Clerk to confirm the current residential building and zoning requirements for the parcel8.
Take the wastewater plan to the Hodgeman County Health Department early, especially because only about 38% of county soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field1116.
Obtain the county permit before drilling a listed household, lawn-and-garden, livestock or geothermal well; the reported county permit cost is $504.
Apply to the Road Department before building or widening an entrance in a county right-of-way5. If the entrance is onto a state highway, a signed KDOT Highway Access Permit is required before work begins.18
Check state stream and floodplain permits before regulated fill, levee or stream work1920.
What should you check before buying land in Hodgeman County?
Water: Hodgeman County requires permits for the listed household, lawn-and-garden, livestock and geothermal wells, with a reported county permit cost of $50; other state authorizations may also apply depending on the well4. Wastewater: only about 38% of county soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field, so have the Health Department evaluate an undeveloped parcel early1611. Flooding: regulated fill, levees and some stream work in designated floodplains require state review20. Access: obtain county approval before work on a new or widened county-road entrance5. A state highway entrance instead needs a signed KDOT Highway Access Permit before permitted work begins18. Hodgeman County has about 1.9 people per square mile, and the nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 142 miles from the county center, so plan carefully for contractors and major services2122. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.8%, with a median annual bill near $1,6382324.
Watch-outs
Hodgeman County does not publish a building or zoning department, but the county has not posted an express no-permit or no-zoning ordinance; confirm the parcel with the county clerk128.
A Hodgeman County well permit is required for the listed well types, and a project may also need another state authorization depending on the well4.
We could not confirm a county rule for RV or tiny-home occupancy; ask the county clerk before buying land for either use8.
A driveway onto a Kansas state highway needs a signed KDOT Highway Access Permit before work begins, separate from the county road entrance permit.185
Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.
Hodgeman County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score
How Hodgeman County scores
Seclusion89100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1592% ev.
Admin Boringness8290% ev.
Durability28100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost7496% ev.
Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →
$174kTypical home
1.8%Property tax
$1,488Land / acre
23.2"Annual rain
33.6% of yrsSevere drought
35.9 / yr (+23.8)Mid-century 100°F days
27.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.46" (+4.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.36×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,475Home insurance / yr
-2% / yrInsurance growth
2.83%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
176People within 30 min
180,173People within 2 hr
1,677Radius comparison (15 mi)
1.9People / sq mi
0%Federal land
99.8%Land at 15% slope or less
38.2%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Hodgeman 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.
Benton Township · Center Township · Hallet Township · Hanston · Jetmore · Marena Township · North Roscoe Township · Sawlog Township · South Roscoe Township · Sterling Township · Valley Township
Answers from the rulebook for Hodgeman County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Hodgeman County rules
Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)
Onsite wastewater systems and related environmental-code administration in Hodgeman County.
The county administers through its Local Environmental Protection Program and county sanitarian.
The Hodgeman County Environmental Code is identified by KDHE as adopted in December 1995.
County environmental codes operate within the Kansas LEPP framework and standards; the KDHE LEPP page states that county codes emphasize onsite wastewater systems.
“Hodgeman County LEPP
Melissa Stofferan, RN
PO Box 86
Jetmore, KS 67854
Phone: 620-357-8736
County Sanitarian: Melissa Stofferan, RN LEP Program Name: Hodgeman County”
Well permitRequired
Water wells in Hodgeman County for household, lawn-and-garden, livestock/pasture, and geothermal uses, as categorized in the KDHE county permit table.
The KDHE table reports county-level permit requirements and a $50 cost.
A well may also need a Kansas Division of Water Resources permit, Class V Authorization, Public Water Supplies permit, or another authorization; the page directs applicants to research the well before construction.
household well permit: required · lawn-and-garden well permit: required · livestock/pasture well permit: required · geothermal well permit: required · county permit cost: 50 USD
The county's official departments listing shows no planning/zoning office, indicating no countywide zoning in unincorporated areas (zoning handled only by the cities of Jetmore and Hanston).
Construction, additions, and covered renovations or occupancy changes on State of Kansas-owned property administered through the Department of Administration's Design, Construction & Compliance process.
The code footprint is required for all new construction, additions, and building renovation/remodeling affecting active or passive life-safety systems or changing occupancy on State property.
A permit to build is issued as Form 125 Project Acceptance after applicable code footprints and temporary egress plans are accepted by DCC/OSFM and construction documents are accepted by DCC.
The source states that projects not on state property should be directed to the local code enforcement office or Kansas Fire Marshal's office.
permit form: Form 125 - Project Acceptance
“A permit to build will be granted when the code footprint, if applicable, and temporary egress plans, if applicable have been accepted by DCC / OSFM and construction documents have been accepted by DCC. The permit to build is issued on the Form 125 - Project Acceptance.”
Owner-builder exemptionAvailable
An actual owner of commercial, residential, or farm property performing roofing services personally, or using employees to perform them, on the owner's own dwelling or another structure located on the residential or farm property owned by that person.
The work must be roofing services, including construction, installation, renovation, repair, maintenance, alteration, waterproofing, or removal of materials or structures.
The owner must perform the work personally or use employees; the exemption applies without the assistance of any registered roofing contractor.
The statute separately exempts roofing services whose aggregate price on each undertaking or project during any fiscal year is less than $2,000, but that exemption does not apply to a person who advertises or uses a sign, card, or other device indicating that the person is a roofing contractor or qualified to engage in that business.
An administrative or governing body with authority to enter into public contracts must require individual roofing-contractor registration for persons submitting or entering into a public bid or contract.
This is a roofing-registration exemption only; it does not establish a general exemption from local contractor licensing, building permits, or inspections.
“The roofing contractor registration act shall not apply to:(1) An actual owner of commercial, residential or farm property who physically performs, or has employees who perform, roofing services including, construction, installation, renovation, repair, maintenance, alteration, waterproofing or removal of materials or structures on such owner's own dwelling or another structure located on the residential or farm property owned by such person without the assistance of any registered roofing contractor;”
Building code adoptedPartial
Statewide Kansas building-energy-code and state fire-prevention-code framework, including new commercial and industrial structures and specified classes of new construction, additions, and occupancy changes.
Kansas is a home rule state and local jurisdictions retain responsibility and authority for adoption and enforcement of building energy codes.
The statewide IECC 2006 standard applies to new commercial and industrial structures.
The state corporation commission has no authority to adopt or enforce energy-efficiency standards for residential, commercial, or industrial structures.
Cities and counties may adopt or enforce energy-efficiency standards within their jurisdictions.
Kansas State Fire Marshal review for the Kansas Fire Prevention Code applies to the building and occupancy categories listed on the official plans-review page, including large assembly, specified educational and institutional occupancies, and specified residential occupancies.
For new homes, the state requires homebuilders and realtors to disclose certain energy-efficiency information using the Kansas Energy Efficiency Disclosure form.
state energy-efficiency code: 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC 2006) (Applicable state standard for new commercial and industrial structures) · state fire-prevention building code: 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) (Projects reviewed for compliance with the Kansas Fire Prevention Code; applicability depends on the project and occupancy categories stated by the State Fire Marshal)
“Because Kansas is a home rule state, the responsibility for adoption and enforcement of building energy codes lies with local jurisdictions.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Partial — Building energy-code adoption relevant statewide, including Hodgeman County.
“The International Energy Conservation Code 2006 [...] is hereby adopted as the applicable energy efficiency standard for new commercial and industrial structures in this state.”
Partial — Kansas statewide building-code adoption authority as specifically addressed by the state energy-efficiency statute.
“The International Energy Conservation Code 2006 (IECC 2006) is hereby adopted as the applicable energy efficiency standard for new commercial and industrial structures in this state.”
InspectionsLimited
Kansas State Fire Marshal fire inspections in Hodgeman County and statewide, excluding one- and two-family dwellings from the State Fire Marshal's jurisdiction and prioritizing specified higher-risk or regulated facility types.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal has jurisdiction over all buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings.
The State Fire Marshal is statutorily required to annually inspect some, but not all, of the applicable occupancy types.
The stated annual inspection cycle includes USD schools, colleges, preschools, childcare centers, hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, residential board and care homes, jails and detention facilities, and propane facilities.
Home daycares are inspected once during the lifetime of the license.
Any building may be inspected if a complaint is received.
“The Office of the State Fire Marshal has jurisdiction over all buildings, other than one- and two-family dwellings and we are statutorily required to annually inspect some, but not all, of those occupancy types.”
2 more reviewed findings 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.”
Required — Buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas undergoing construction or covered repairs, improvements, or occupancy changes.
“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.”
Zoning districtsPartial
Kansas cities and counties that adopt zoning regulations under K.S.A. 12-753
The statute authorizes, but does not require, each city or county to adopt zoning regulations.
A governing body may divide territory into districts of different number, shape, area, and classes according to land and building use and intensity.
Adopted regulations may regulate building height, stories, size, lot coverage, yards, open space, population density, land uses, natural-resource conservation, floodplain land, and setbacks from streets or highways.
District boundaries must be defined in the regulations or by an incorporated official map.
County zoning maps must be marked as the official copy incorporated by board-of-county-commissioners resolution and filed with the county clerk or another designated public office.
City zoning maps must be marked as the official copy incorporated by governing-body ordinance and filed with the city clerk or another designated public office.
The regulations and accompanying maps are public records.
The section became effective on and after January 1, 1992.
effective date: 1992-01-01
“The governing body may divide the territory subject to its jurisdiction into districts of such number, shape, area and of such different classes”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Partial — Kansas statutory framework governing zoning districts adopted by cities and counties; this does not publish the actual district maps or classifications for each local jurisdiction.
“The governing body may divide the territory subject to its jurisdiction into districts of such number, shape, area and of such different classes”
Minimum lot sizeSpecified
New construction of single-family residences in Kansas that are less than 2,500 square feet of total livable floor area, or gross floor area minus garages and basements, and are constructed on each residence’s own separate lot or parcel with its own individual legal description.
All political subdivisions shall allow a minimum residential lot size of 3,000 square feet for the qualifying residences.
The 3,000-square-foot lot size is subject to reasonable setback requirements that avoid unwarranted hardship yet protect the public welfare and safety.
The Act states it takes effect after publication in the statute book; the source page does not state the publication date.
minimum residential lot size: 3000 square feet (Subject to reasonable setback requirements that avoid unwarranted hardship yet protect the public welfare and safety.) · maximum residence size for this rule: < 2500 square feet (Total livable floor area, or gross floor area minus garages and basements.)
“minimum residential lot size of 3,000 square feet subject to any reasonable setback requirements that avoid unwarranted hardship yet protect the public welfare and safety.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
District specific (with conditions) — Kansas county zoning regulations for unincorporated urban areas and municipal zoning regulations adopted under Kansas planning and zoning statutes.
“the density of population, including minimum width, depth and area of lots”
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
Building setbacks and yard or open-space requirements established by applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.
Actual setback distances are determined by the applicable local zoning classification or applicable highway/street setback resolution.
Agricultural buildings may still be regulated for setbacks from public roads under K.S.A. 19-2960.
No statewide numeric setback distance was identified.
yard, court, open-space, or street/highway setback: local regulation
“the size of yards, courts and other open spaces”
Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)
Percentage of a lot that may be occupied under applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.
Actual lot-coverage percentage is set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
No statewide numeric lot-coverage percentage was identified.
maximum percentage of lot occupied: local zoning classification percent
“the percentage of lots that may be occupied”
Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)
Building height and number-of-stories restrictions established by applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.
Actual height or story limits are set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
No statewide numeric building-height limit was identified.
maximum building height or stories: local zoning classification
“restrict and regulate the height, number of stories and size of buildings”
Manufactured homesLimited
Placement and residential occupancy of manufactured homes in Kansas jurisdictions with applicable county or city zoning regulations.
Manufactured homes remain subject to applicable county and city zoning regulations.
A governing body may not exclude manufactured homes from its entire zoning jurisdiction.
A governing body may not exclude residential-design manufactured homes from single-family residential districts solely because they are manufactured homes.
Architectural or aesthetic standards compatible with site-built housing may still apply.
Valid restrictive covenants running with the land are not preempted.
The source states the zoning provision became effective January 1, 1992.
“All mobile homes shall be subject to zoning regulations of counties and cities applicable to areas in which such homes are located.”
Septic permitLimited
Private onsite wastewater systems throughout Kansas, where permit requirements depend on applicable county or other local sanitary/environmental codes.
Local governments may adopt codes and issue construction and operating permits.
County sanitary or environmental codes specify local design and permitting requirements.
If there is no local code, landowners must comply with K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 and KDHE Bulletin 4-2.
All septic tanks installed in Kansas must comply with KDHE Bulletin 4-2.
The cited state materials do not establish a single construction- and operating-permit requirement applicable statewide.
applicable state regulations without local code: K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 · state minimum standard: KDHE Bulletin 4-2
“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 handled through an onsite lagoon, septic system, or approved alternative system rather than a public sewer, including in Hodgeman County.
The system must be approved and comply with applicable county sanitary-code requirements and Kansas standards.
Private wastewater ponds must be nondischarging and fenced.
Private sewerage facilities should proceed only when public sewers are unavailable and all applicable local requirements are met.
No private onsite wastewater system may have a surface discharge.
Seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells (rat holes) are not permitted.
maximum operational wastewater-pond depth: <= 5 feet
“No private onsite wastewater system shall have a surface discharge.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Prohibited — Domestic wastewater disposal through seepage pits, cesspools, or dry wells (rat holes) in Kansas, including Hodgeman County.
“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.”
Limited — Domestic wastewater disposal without a public sewer connection, using an approved septic system, lagoon, or alternative onsite system.
“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.”
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
Domestic wastewater disposal, including property served by or lacking a public sewer connection, in Kansas including Hodgeman County.
Domestic wastewater must be discharged to an approved sewage collection system, approved lagoon, approved septic system, approved alternative system, or permitted sewage treatment plant.
A private sewerage facility should proceed only when public sewers are not available and all applicable local requirements are met.
County sanitary-code requirements may be more stringent.
“Proceed with any private sewerage facility only when public sewers are not available [...]”
“Proceed with any private sewerage facility only when public sewers are not available and all applicable local requirements are met.”
Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)
Use of land for agricultural purposes and erection or maintenance of agricultural buildings under city or county zoning regulations adopted under Kansas planning and zoning statutes.
The exemption applies only while the land and buildings are used for agricultural purposes and not otherwise.
The exemption does not apply to flood-plain regulations in designated flood plains.
Under K.S.A. 19-2960, dwellings, garages, and other similar accessory buildings are not agricultural buildings.
Under K.S.A. 19-2960, all buildings, including agricultural buildings, may be regulated for setbacks from public roads.
K.S.A. 12-758 applies to regulations adopted by a city pursuant to K.S.A. 12-715b or by a county pursuant to the planning and zoning act.
agricultural-use condition: land and buildings must be used for agricultural purposes and not otherwise (Flood-plain regulations remain applicable.) · public-road setback exception: permitted (Agricultural buildings may be regulated as to setbacks from public roads under K.S.A. 19-2960.)
“regulations adopted by a city pursuant to K.S.A. 12-715b, and amendments thereto, or a county pursuant to this act shall not apply”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Available (with conditions) — Use of land for agricultural purposes and erection or maintenance of buildings on that land where county or city zoning regulations adopted under the cited Kansas statutes would otherwise apply.
“Except for flood plain regulations in areas designated as a flood plain, [...] shall not apply to the use of land for agricultural purposes”
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.”
Driveway accessLimited
Private or commercial driveway and other access facilities constructed, relocated, removed, resurfaced, or otherwise worked on within Kansas state-highway right-of-way, including state highways in Hodgeman County
A signed Highway Access Permit is required before permitted work begins.
The permit applies to access for a specific property usage and access type.
Approved plans must be attached; the permittee must notify KDOT before work starts and when work is completed.
The permittee is responsible for materials, construction, costs, drainage requirements, restoration, and applicable liability insurance.
Access Types 1 through 4 require $250,000 per-person and $500,000 per-occurrence comprehensive liability coverage; Access Types 5 and 6 require $1,000,000 per-person and $2,000,000 per-occurrence coverage.
The permit is not valid until signed by the required parties and returned to KDOT for the permit approval date.
The form states that the Secretary may modify or withdraw the specific access point so long as reasonable access is afforded.
low-volume access threshold: 0-49 vehicles per day maximum vehicles/day (Access Types 1 through 4 are classified as low-volume; Type 4 is small-business, cemetery, nursing-home, or other commercial access.) · medium-volume access threshold: 50-499 vehicles per day and/or less than 50 vehicles per peak hour vehicles/day or vehicles/peak-hour (Access Type 5.) · high-volume access threshold: 500 vehicles per day and over and/or 50 vehicles per peak hour or more vehicles/day or vehicles/peak-hour (Access Type 6.) · abandoned facility removal deadline: 180 days after notice (Applies when KDOT directs removal of an abandoned or retired facility.)
“WHEREAS, the Secretary has jurisdiction over highway right-of-way within the State Highway System of Kansas, and WHEREAS, the Secretary (and City) believe that it is in the interest of the Citizens of the State of Kansas to permit certain work or projects to be performed upon Highway right-of-ways for access for a specific property usage and access type”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Construction or alteration of a driveway connecting to the Kansas state highway system.
“Individuals desiring to construct or alter a driveway onto the state highway system shall be required to obtain a permit.”
Building in a floodplainLimited
Development projects in designated streams or designated-stream and FEMA-designated floodplains in Hodgeman County.
A permit is required for construction, modification, or repair of a regulated levee within the floodplain of a designated stream or FEMA-designated floodplain.
A permit is required for placement of regulated floodplain fill within the floodplain of a designated stream or FEMA-designated floodplain.
For stream obstructions, exceptions apply to qualifying projects more than 300 feet from other property lines, outside incorporated areas, on streams with less than 5 square miles of drainage area, or projects limited to less than 25 feet along the stream, obstructing less than 5 percent of the channel cross section, with floodplain fill outside the channel not exceeding 1 foot in depth.
Other county, local, federal, KDHE, and wildlife permits may also be required.
dam height: >= 25 feet (A permit also applies to dams 6 feet or more in height with capacity to store 50 acre-feet or more at the auxiliary spillway crest; the page references exceptions in Dam Safety permit requirements.) · dam storage capacity: >= 50 acre-feet (Applies with a dam at least 6 feet high.) · stream drainage area: < 5 square miles (One stream-obstruction exception requires the stream to have less than 5 square miles of drainage area and the project to be more than 300 feet from other property lines and outside an incorporated area.) · stream length affected: < 25 feet (Alternative stream-obstruction exception.) · channel cross section obstructed: < 5 percent (Alternative stream-obstruction exception; floodplain fill outside the channel must also not exceed 1 foot in depth.) · floodplain fill depth outside channel: <= 1 foot (Alternative stream-obstruction exception.)
“Placement of a regulated floodplain fill within the floodplain of a designated stream or FEMA-designated floodplain”
2 more reviewed findings 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”
Limited — Statewide Kansas framework governing locally adopted floodplain zones, districts, and floodplain development regulations
“The governing body may establish flood plain zones and districts and restrict the use of land therein”
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 feesVariable (with conditions)
Permits, licenses, and other activities under county sanitary codes statewide in Kansas.
County commissioners may adopt reasonable fees through sanitary codes.
The statute does not establish a single statewide fee amount.
fee amount: county sanitary code dependent
“Each sanitary code may provide for permits, licenses and fees.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Published (with conditions) — KDHE air-quality construction approval applications statewide in Kansas.
“there is a $750 fee for each construction approval application.”
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.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Published (with conditions) — State-administered stream and floodplain permit process applicable to qualifying projects in Hodgeman County.
“Application form 2-200 - use for every project”
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.”
Inside cities and towns in Hodgeman County
Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.
Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)
Utility service connections for customers of the City of Hanston within Hodgeman County.
New customers and reconnections must complete a utility contract.
A $50 connection fee is required to begin service.
The source states that Hanston utilities include water and sewer.
The source also states that sewer and water have separate base charges and that disconnected services require a $50 reconnection fee plus past-due amounts and late fees.
connection fee: 50 USD (required to begin service for new customers and reconnections) · sewer base charge: 16 USD per connection · water base charge: 15 USD for first 4000 gallons (usage over 4000 gallons is charged .75 cents per 1000 gallons) · reconnection fee: 50 USD (plus past-due amount and late fees)
“All new customers and reconnections are required to complete a utility contract. There is a $50 connection fee to begin service. Utilities provided by the City of Hanston include Water and Sewer”
Set by your township or city, not the county
In Kansas, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Hodgeman County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your township or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.
Minimum dwelling size
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Accessory dwellings
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.
Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning status across Hodgeman County, including the Cities of Hanston and Jetmore and unincorporated areas.
Septic inspection — Inspection requirements for onsite wastewater systems in Hodgeman County.
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 Hodgeman County
Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Kansas’s water agency.
Actively managed
This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.
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
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 Hodgeman County, Kansas
Is Hodgeman County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Hodgeman County scores 41/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 176 people within a 30-minute drive and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (23.2″/yr rainfall) and elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.
Do you need a building permit in Hodgeman County, Kansas?
Hodgeman County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Hodgeman County Health Department (Hodgeman County Environmental Code). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.
How much does land cost in Hodgeman County, Kansas?
Land in Hodgeman County runs about $1,488 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Hodgeman County?
Hodgeman County gets about 23.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 33.6% of years. On water rights, Hodgeman County lies in the Pawnee Valley IGUCA — Pawnee River / Buckner Creek subbasin (GMD5); a safe-yield criterion limits appropriations after long-term declines. Domestic wells remain exempt..
How remote is Hodgeman County?
A representative private-land location has about 176 people within a 30-minute drive and 180,173 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.
