Bolthole Index

Johnson County, Kansas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Mission Woods, Kansas

Mission Woods, Kansas (Johnson County) requires a building permit from the city building official before construction, alteration or moving of a building1. The city adopts its own zoning under Chapter 122, and septic tanks for new buildings are prohibited except where sewer mains are impractical3. Johnson County, not the city, issues septic permits elsewhere in the county4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the city building official1
Zoning
City zoning with R-1, B-1, B-2 and REC districts5
Septic
Prohibited for new buildings unless sewer mains are impractical; Board of Zoning Appeals approval3
RV living
Occupying a camper or mobile home is unlawful6
R-1 minimum lot
7,500 sq ft and 60 ft frontage7
R-1 height
Two stories, 30 ft overall8
Building code
2018 International Building Code9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Mission Woods building official

Building permits inside Mission Woods city limits

Septic permits

Johnson County Environmental Division (Department of Health and Environment)

Septic permits and inspections for private sewage systems in Johnson County

913-715-6900

11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite #2700, Olathe, KS 66061

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Mission Woods means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Does Mission Woods, Kansas have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, lot size and setbacks?

Mission Woods administers its own zoning inside city limits under Chapter 12, separate from Johnson County's zoning of unincorporated land2. The city has four districts: R-1 single family residential, B-1 planned office, B-2 planned office-limited business and REC planned recreation5. No agricultural district appears in the zoning article, so rural-style land uses are not a given here.

In R-1, a residence needs 7,500 square feet of lot area and 60 feet of frontage7. Front setbacks are 35 feet on streets 50 feet wide or less and 30 feet on wider streets; side setbacks are 6 feet and the rear is 15 feet10. Ground floor area may not exceed 20% of lot area, excluding a detached garage11. Residential structures are limited to two stories and 30 feet overall8.

Occupying a camper or mobile home in Mission Woods is unlawful6. We could not confirm tiny-home rules; ask the city clerk.

Do you need a building permit in Mission Woods, and who issues it?

Yes. Inside Mission Woods, construction, alteration, removal or relocation of a building requires a permit from the city building official first1. The city has adopted the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Plumbing Code and 2018 International Fire Code, plus the 1995 CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code for houses9. Johnson County Building Codes does not issue these permits inside the city; its permits cover unincorporated land12.

We could not confirm the city's permit fees, inspection steps or any owner-builder rule. Ask the Mission Woods city clerk before you plan a project.

How do septic permits work inside Mission Woods?

Septic tanks for buildings erected or moved into Mission Woods are prohibited except where sewer mains are economically or physically impractical, and then use needs Board of Zoning Appeals approval3. Practically, a new home in Mission Woods is expected to connect to sewer.

Where a septic system is allowed, Johnson County's Environmental Division runs its permit process, which involves applications, fees, soil analysis and inspections4. We could not confirm how the county permit and the city's Board of Zoning Appeals approval fit together; call the Johnson County Environmental Division at 913-715-690013.

Building a home in Mission Woods: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and lot standards with the city; R-1 is the single-family district5.
  2. Confirm sewer service, because septic is prohibited where sewer mains are available3.
  3. Apply to the city building official for a building permit before work starts1.
  4. Build to the city's adopted codes9.
  5. Ask the city clerk about inspections and certificate of occupancy, which we could not confirm.

What stays with Johnson County, and what to check before you buy in Mission Woods

Septic permits, where allowed, come from Johnson County4. Johnson County requires a household well permit with a listed fee of $6514; we could not confirm whether that applies inside city limits. The county's zoning and building permits apply only to unincorporated land15; for land outside the city, see the Johnson County page.

Before buying, confirm sewer availability, the district, and whether the lot meets R-1 minimums7. Johnson County's effective property tax rate is 1.2%16.

Watch-outs

  • Occupying a camper or mobile home is unlawful in Mission Woods, though the city's code says the Board of Zoning Appeals may grant additional time in the parking section6.
  • The Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce R-1 lot and setback limits for topography or unusual lot conditions7.
  • We could not confirm city permit fees, inspections or owner-builder rules; ask the city building official17.

Sources

  1. Article 1: Building Codes - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 5 Building and Construction) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  2. Article 4: Zoning Regulations - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  3. Article 1: Definitions and Prohibitions - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  4. Residential Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Article 4: Zoning Regulations - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article 1: Definitions and Prohibitions - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article 4: Zoning Regulations - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article 4: Zoning Regulations - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  9. Article 1: Building Codes - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 5 Building and Construction) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  10. Article 4: Zoning Regulations - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  11. Article 4: Zoning Regulations - City of Mission Woods, KS (eCode360, Chapter 12 Zoning) (Mission Woods), quoted and re-checked
  12. Permits and Licenses Guide, quoted and re-checked
  13. Johnson County Environmental Division (Department of Health and Environment) (jocogov.org)
  14. Water Well County Permits, quoted and re-checked
  15. Unincorporated Area, quoted and re-checked
  16. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  17. City of Mission Woods building official (ecode360.com)

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Mission Woods

Mission Woods’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Exterior and interior construction, alteration, removal or relocation of buildings and structures on property inside Mission Woods city.

    • Construction may proceed only after the city building official issues the permit.
    • Separate permits are required for each building or structure under § 5-104, and the building official sets the permit types and fees.
    • Minor alterations exempt from permit under § 5-105 were not opened.
    “unless the owner shall first have applied for and received from the city building official proper permits therefor as provided herein”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, dangerous buildings, housing and one- and two-family dwelling codes inside Mission Woods city.

    • Codes are incorporated by reference 'save and except such portions that are deleted or amended by ordinance'.
    • The section heading shows '[amended 4-6-2021 by ord. no. 241]'; that is an amendment date, so effective_at is left null.
    • Residential one- and two-family dwellings are governed by the 1995 CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code as listed in § 5-101, not by a later IRC edition.
    • Copies of the standard codes are filed with the city clerk under § 5-102.

    building code: 2018 International Building Code · plumbing code: 2018 International Plumbing Code · fire code: 2018 International Fire Code · electrical code: 2020 National Electrical Code · mechanical code: 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code · one- and two-family dwelling code: 1995 CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code

    “2018 international building code, 2021 uniform mechanical code, 2018 international plumbing code, 2020 national electrical code, 2018 international fire code, 1997 uniform code for the abatement of dangerous buildings, 1994 uniform housing code, and 1995 cabo one and two family dwelling code”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    All land inside Mission Woods city limits, administered by the city under Chapter 12 Zoning (not unincorporated Johnson County land).

    • Use and area rules differ by district; see the district-specific claims.
    • The city's zoning chapter is titled Chapter 12 Zoning on eCode360.
    “the city of mission woods is hereby divided into the aforesaid districts, and within the boundaries of which no building, structure or appurtenance shall be erected”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Use districts for land inside Mission Woods city limits.

    • The four districts are R-1 single family residential, B-1 planned office, B-2 planned office-limited business, and REC planned recreation.
    • Planned office uses are restricted under § 12-403; this claim does not analyze the district map.
    “r-1 single family residential district b-1 planned office district b-2 planned office - limited business district rec planned recreation district”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family residence lots in the R-1 Single Family Residential District inside Mission Woods city.

    • Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce the limit where topography or surface conditions or other unusual lot conditions make it impracticable (§ 12-402(e)(3)).
    • The residential floor area cap on the lot is in the lot coverage claim.
    • No agricultural or rural-residential district exists in the zoning article, so no second lot-size claim is recorded.

    minimum lot area: >= 7500 sq ft (Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce) · minimum lot frontage: >= 60 ft (or minimum lot width at the setback line of 60 ft)

    “every residence building hereafter erected or altered shall provide a minimum lot frontage of 60 feet, or in the alternative, a minimum lot width at the setback line of 60 feet. no building shall be erected or altered on a lot which makes provision for less than 7,500 square feet of lot area”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residences, including attached or semi-detached garages and porches, in the R-1 Single Family Residential District inside Mission Woods city.

    • Front setback is 35 ft where the street is 50 ft wide or less, and 30 ft where the street exceeds 50 ft (§ 12-402(d)(1)).
    • Corner lots: 15 ft from the side street for all buildings and structures.
    • Side setback is 6 ft from each side lot line; a minimum 10 ft separation is required between a residence and any building on adjacent premises.
    • Rear yard is at least 15 ft.
    • Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce these where topography or other unusual conditions make them impracticable (§ 12-402(d)(4)).

    front setback (street 50 ft wide or less): >= 35 ft (Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce) · front setback (street over 50 ft wide): >= 30 ft (Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce) · corner side street setback: >= 15 ft · side setback: >= 6 ft (Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce) · rear setback: >= 15 ft (Board of Zoning Appeals may reduce) · separation between residence and adjacent building: >= 10 ft

    “there shall be a setback line of not less than 35 feet from the front line of each lot, tract or parcel where the street or highway upon which the same front is 50 feet or less in width, and upon streets or highways exceeding 50 feet in width there shall be a set back line of not less than 30 feet from the front line of such lot.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Residential buildings in the R-1 Single Family Residential District inside Mission Woods city. This is a floor-area-to-lot ratio rather than a footprint percentage.

    • Excludes a detached garage and appurtenances incident to the dwelling.
    • Public and semipublic uses in R-1 carry a separate 60% building-site limit under § 12-402(b)(7); that does not apply to single-family dwellings.

    ground floor area to lot area ratio: <= 20 percent (detached garage and appurtenances excluded)

    “no residential building exclusive of a detached garage and appurtenances incident thereto, shall exceed a ratio of 20% of ground floor area to the lot area upon which it stands.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential structures in the R-1 Single Family Residential District inside Mission Woods city.

    • Residential structures may not exceed two stories; a third story may be exposed only on the downhill side of a natural slope and may not face any street.
    • Parapets, railings, chimneys, gables, false mansards, cupolas and mechanical appurtenances may extend up to 4 ft above the limit unless the Board of Zoning Appeals approves more.
    • Public and semipublic buildings in R-1 are approved to a height set by the Plan Commission and Council (§ 12-402(c)(2)).

    overall height: <= 30 ft (third story on downhill side of natural slope; appurtenances up to 4 ft over) · stories: <= 2 stories (third story on downhill side of natural slope, not facing a street)

    “residential structures shall not exceed two stories in height except that structures may be built on a natural slope in such a manner as to expose a third story on the downhill side of the slope. the three story portion of a structure shall not face on any street and the overall height shall not exceed 30 feet.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Occupying a camper (RV) or mobile home inside Mission Woods city.

    • The sentence sits in § 12-102(j)(1), the residential parking section; the same subsection limits parking of campers and trailers on residential land to 15 days in any three consecutive months.
    • The same subsection exempts vehicles parked during construction of a residence or addition from the parking limit; whether that exemption reaches the occupancy sentence was not resolved.
    • Board of Zoning Appeals may grant additional time under § 12-102(j)(2).
    “it shall be unlawful for any person to occupy any camper or mobile home or permit such use thereof by another.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Septic tank use for buildings hereafter erected or moved into Mission Woods city.

    • Septic tanks are prohibited except where public or private sewer mains are economically or physically impractical.
    • In those exception cases, septic use is subject to Board of Zoning Appeals approval.
    • The Johnson County health department or state rules may also apply to on-site systems; this was not verified, so septic_authority is recorded as local only for the city's own rule.
    “in such cases use of septic tanks shall be subject to the approval of the board of zoning appeals.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Septic systems for new or relocated buildings inside Mission Woods city.

    • Only available where sewer mains are economically or physically impractical.
    • Approval comes from the Board of Zoning Appeals, not a separate septic permit issued by the city, per the text read.
    • Any county or health-department septic permit is unverified.
    “the use of septic tanks for disposal of sewage from buildings hereafter erected or moved into the city of mission woods is prohibited, except in areas where sewer mains of a public or private sewer system are economically or physically impractical.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    On-site sewage disposal for new or relocated buildings inside Mission Woods city.

    • Septic is prohibited where sewer mains are available.
    • Septic is allowed only in the sewer-impractical exception, with Board of Zoning Appeals approval.
    “the use of septic tanks for disposal of sewage from buildings hereafter erected or moved into the city of mission woods is prohibited, except in areas where sewer mains of a public or private sewer system are economically or physically impractical.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Mission Woods or Johnson County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for homes inside Mission Woods city.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for work inside Mission Woods city.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new dwellings inside Mission Woods city.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area for a single-family dwelling in the R-1 district inside Mission Woods city.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy inside Mission Woods city.
11 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Mission Woods publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Johnson County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Johnson County: county rules, score and offices