Bolthole Index

McPherson County, Kansas

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

49Index Score / 100
#53 of 105 in Kansas

Unincorporated McPherson County, Kansas requires a zoning permit before covered construction or land-use work begins, but we could not confirm a separate countywide building-code permit1. Finished work must pass a zoning-compliance inspection before the county issues the required occupancy certificate23. County zoning governs land use and building location outside incorporated cities4.

At a glance

Building permit
Zoning permit required; separate building-code permit not confirmed1
Zoning
County rules govern land use and building location in unincorporated areas45
Occupancy certificate
Required before a new, moved, altered or changed-use structure is occupied6
Septic
County sanitary code governs onsite systems; permit details remain unconfirmed7
RV living
Temporary lodging only, for no more than 15 days at one time89
Manufactured home
Allowed only under the parcel's district rules and placement standards10
Water well
County permit required for household, garden and livestock wells11
County-road entrance
Culvert permit and final inspection required12

Who to call

Planning & zoning

McPherson County Planning, Zoning & Environment Department

Zoning permits, occupancy certificates, zoning administration and environmental questions for unincorporated McPherson County

620-241-2288

200 N. Maple Street - 2nd Floor Suite 210, McPherson, KS 67460

Septic permits

McPherson County Sanitarian (Planning, Zoning & Environment Department)

County sanitary-code and onsite-wastewater questions

620-241-2288

200 N. Maple Street - 2nd Floor Suite 210, McPherson, KS 67460

Roads & driveways

McPherson County Public Works

Entrance and culvert permits for county roads

620-241-0466

publicworkspermits@mcpcoks.us

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 7, 2026.

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

For unincorporated McPherson County, start with a zoning permit before constructing, reconstructing, moving or structurally altering a covered structure or improving land1. The application must include scaled parcel and structure drawings showing driveways, parking, loading, setbacks, waste-disposal areas and proposed uses13. The Zoning Administrator must issue or disapprove the permit within 15 days unless the applicant agrees to more time, and the permit expires after 180 days if qualifying work or use has not begun13. We could not confirm a separate countywide building-code construction permit or an adopted county building-code edition, so ask the department whether another approval applies to the project14. Before occupancy, covered structures and uses must receive an occupancy certificate3. The finished premises are inspected for compliance with approved plans and applicable utilities, roads and subdivision improvements; this is a zoning-compliance inspection, not proof of a general building-code inspection program15.

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

McPherson County Planning, Zoning & Environment is the first stop for zoning and environmental questions on unincorporated land16. Call 620-241-2288 or visit 200 N. Maple Street - 2nd Floor Suite 210, McPherson, KS 6746016. Ask the office to identify the parcel's district, permitted use, setbacks, height and lot-coverage limits, zoning application, occupancy process and any floodplain review. County zoning fees vary by application and the governing body's fee schedule; the regulations do not supply one universal amount17. Agricultural status is conditional rather than automatic for every rural building: the Zoning Administrator may request a no-fee agricultural compliance certificate to determine exemption status18. For a new entrance on a county road, contact McPherson County Public Works at 620-241-0466 or publicworkspermits@mcpcoks.us19.

Does McPherson County have zoning?

Yes. McPherson County zoning governs land use and building location in unincorporated areas; incorporated municipalities may have separate rules4. Inman, McPherson and Moundridge also exercise subdivision and floodplain authority within 3 miles of their limits, so parcels near those cities need an extra jurisdiction check20. The official map publishes the county's zoning districts and boundaries21. Minimum lot area, setbacks, lot coverage and building height vary by district and cannot be treated as countywide limits22232425. One cited district requires 5 acres for a wastewater lagoon or 3 acres for a subsurface soil-absorption system, subject to any larger area needed under the sanitary code22. Recorded plats and subdivision rules can change what may be built and require utilities, roads, streets and other improvements to be installed or guaranteed before occupancy26.

How do septic permits work in McPherson County?

McPherson County's sanitary code governs lot suitability and installation standards for onsite wells, cisterns, septic tanks and wastewater lagoons in unincorporated areas where public facilities are unavailable7. Kansas allows local governments to adopt onsite-wastewater codes and issue construction and operating permits, while all Kansas septic tanks remain subject to KDHE Bulletin 4-227. We could not confirm McPherson County's current septic application, inspection sequence or fees; call 620-241-2288 before designing or installing a system28. Site conditions deserve early attention because only about 8.2% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field29. Kansas prohibits seepage pits, cesspools, dry wells and surface discharge from private onsite systems; domestic wastewater must use an approved collection, lagoon, septic, alternative or permitted treatment system30.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in McPherson County?

An RV is not a path to permanent residence on unincorporated land governed by McPherson County zoning. RVs may be used only for temporary lodging of no more than 15 days at one time, with residential-district storage and placement conditions31. The A-2 Agricultural Transition District prohibits RVs as residential buildings9. Tiny homes are regulated by district and placement rules; temporary placement during construction or reconstruction is limited to 18 months, while disaster placement is discretionary and conditional32. We could not confirm one countywide minimum dwelling size, so ask Planning, Zoning & Environment how a proposed tiny home will be classified before purchase. Manufactured homes cannot be placed in districts that do not permit them, and temporary construction placement is limited to 18 months33. One accessory dwelling may be allowed on the same zoning lot as a principal single-family home if lot area, appearance, parking, sanitary utilities and deed-restriction conditions are met34.

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

  1. Ask Planning, Zoning & Environment to confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated McPherson County, identify its zoning district and explain which permit forms apply1621.
  1. Submit scaled parcel and structure drawings showing access, setbacks, parking, loading, waste-disposal areas and proposed uses13.
  1. Contact the county sanitarian before choosing a house site or wastewater design; the sanitary code governs onsite systems, but we could not confirm the septic permit and inspection details7. Obtain a county well permit before installing a household, lawn-and-garden or livestock/pasture well11.
  1. If the site is in a regulated flood-hazard area, obtain the required written floodplain-development permit; grading or excavation outside that area does not initially require a zoning permit, although rules may apply beside a water body3536.
  1. Confirm that every zoning lot has direct frontage access to an opened public road or street, or that required road improvements are guaranteed37. For a new county-road entrance, obtain the culvert permit and arrange Public Works' final inspection1219. A state-highway driveway instead requires an approved Kansas highway permit before right-of-way work38.
  1. Complete the approved work and required improvements, then obtain the occupancy certificate before moving in23.

What should you check before buying land in McPherson County?

Verify zoning, legal access, wastewater feasibility, water supply and flood status before making the contract unconditional. The official zoning map is the starting point for permitted uses, while district rules and recorded plats control lot area, setbacks, coverage and height2122232425. Conventional septic suitability is a significant due-diligence item because only about 8.2% of county soils avoid severe drain-field limitations29. Household, lawn-and-garden and livestock/pasture wells require county permits, each listed at $10011. Each zoning lot needs direct frontage access to an opened public road or street unless road improvements are guaranteed under the subdivision rules3726. A county-road entrance separately needs a culvert permit and final inspection12. Development in covered floodplain areas requires a written permit, including manufactured or mobile homes36. Finally, budget around the county's effective property-tax rate of about 1.4% and median annual property-tax bill of about $2,780, while remembering that an individual parcel's assessment can differ3940.

Watch-outs

  • McPherson County's zoning permit and occupancy inspection do not establish that the county runs a general building-code inspection program; the county's adopted building-code edition remains unconfirmed1415.
  • Kansas exempts an owner who personally performs roofing on the owner's property from roofing-contractor registration, but that narrow rule is not a general exemption from zoning, permits, inspections or contractor requirements41. Ask Planning, Zoning & Environment before serving as your own contractor16.
  • The county sanitary code governs onsite wastewater systems, but we could not confirm its septic permit, inspection and fee details7; get the current process directly from the county sanitarian28.

Sources

  1. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  2. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  3. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  4. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  5. Zoning Regulations of McPherson County, Kansas, quoted and re-checked
  6. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  7. 2024 Zoning Regulations of McPherson County, Kansas, quoted and re-checked
  8. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  9. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  10. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  11. Water Well County Permits, quoted and re-checked
  12. Revocable Entrance Application/Permit, quoted and re-checked
  13. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  14. 2024 Zoning Regulations (2026 county census)
  15. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. McPherson County Planning, Zoning & Environment Department (mcphersoncountyks.us)
  17. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  19. McPherson County Public Works (mcphersoncountyks.us)
  20. mcphersoncountyks.us, quoted and re-checked
  21. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  23. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  25. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  26. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  27. Local Environmental Protection Program (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. McPherson County Sanitarian (Planning, Zoning & Environment Department) (mcphersoncountyks.us)
  29. 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
  30. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. Zoning Regulations of McPherson County, Kansas, quoted and re-checked
  32. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  33. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  34. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  35. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  36. Model Floodplain Management Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  37. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  38. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  39. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  40. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  41. K.S.A. 50-6,129. Exemptions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 7, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

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

RuleMcPherson CountyHarvey CountySaline CountyMarion CountyRice CountyReno CountyEllsworth County
Building permitLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredLimitedNot required
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesNo
Septic permitsCounty SanitarianCounty PlanningCounty Env. HealthMarion CountyCounty Planning & ZoningCounty Public WorksCounty Health Dept.

County locator

McPherson County in Kansas

49
County map
McPherson County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score

How McPherson County scores

Seclusion59100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency25100% ev.
Admin Boringness5790% ev.
Durability46100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost70100% 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 →

$227kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$3,653Land / acre
32.2"Annual rain
23.2% of yrsSevere drought
30.3 / yr (+19.2)Mid-century 100°F days
24.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.92" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,334Home insurance / yr
3.3% / yrInsurance growth
1.02%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
14,605People within 30 min
1,241,556People within 2 hr
23,280Radius comparison (15 mi)
33.5People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
8.2%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
47,161 acWorkable land screen
5.5%Wooded land
39.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.9°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in McPherson County

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

Not yet researched: Battle Hill Township · Bonaville Township · Canton · Canton Township · Castle Township · Delmore Township · Empire Township · Galva · Groveland Township · Gypsum Creek Township · Harper Township · Hayes Township · Inman · Jackson Township · King City Township · Little Valley Township · Lone Tree Township · Marquette · Marquette Township · McPherson Township · Meridian Township · Mound Township · Moundridge · New Gottland Township · Smoky Hill Township · South Sharps Creek Township · Spring Valley Township · Superior Township · Turkey Creek Township · Union Township · Windom

Answers from the rulebook for McPherson County

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

McPherson County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Structures and uses subject to McPherson County zoning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • This is a zoning-permit requirement, not a confirmed countywide building-code permit mandate.
    • Applications require the information prescribed by the zoning regulations.
    • The zoning administrator issues or disapproves a zoning permit within 15 days, or a longer period agreed by the applicant.
    • A zoning permit becomes void after 180 days unless construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, or use has commenced.

    application decision period: 15 days (or such further period as may be agreed to by the applicant) · permit validity commencement period: 180 days (unless qualifying work or use commences)

    “Unless a zoning permit shall first have been obtained from the Zoning Administrator, the construction, reconstruction, moving or structural alteration of any building or structure or the improvement of land prior to its use or the use of any land or structure being changed to any other use, shall not be commenced.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Structures and additions constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered, and new or changed uses of structures or land, in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.

    • This is a zoning-regulation inspection and occupancy-certificate requirement, not an identified separate county building-code construction permit requirement.
    • A zoning permit application is deemed an application for an occupancy certificate.
    • The work must be completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator as fully compliant with the permit plans and specifications, including applicable utilities, roads, streets, and other public improvements.
    • An occupancy certificate or written denial must be issued within 10 days after notification that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use.
    • A temporary occupancy certificate may be issued for no more than six months while additions or improvements are completed or during partial occupancy, provided satisfactory guarantees are submitted, including possible performance bonds or escrow accounts.
    • The zoning regulations became effective January 1, 2024.

    occupancy-certificate response time: 10 days (after the Zoning Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use) · temporary occupancy certificate duration: <= 6 months (pending completion of additions or improvements or during partial occupancy; satisfactory guarantees required)

    “No occupancy certificate for a structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered or for the new or changed use of any structure or land shall be issued after the effective date of these regulations until such work has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator to be in full and complete compliance with the plans and specifications upon which the permit was issued [...] An occupancy certificate shall be issued or written notice shall be given to the applicant stating the reasons why a certificate cannot be issued within 10 days after the Zoning Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Zoning-compliance inspection by the County Zoning Administrator before issuance of an occupancy certificate.
      “No occupancy certificate for a structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered or for the new or changed use of any structure or land shall be issued after the effective date of these regulations until such work has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator to be in full and complete compliance with the plans and specifications upon which the permit was issued”
    • Required — Inspection before issuance of an occupancy certificate for construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, or new or changed use.
      “No occupancy certificate for a structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered or for the new or changed use of any structure or land shall be issued after the effective date of these regulations until such work has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator to be in full and complete compliance with the plans and specifications upon which the permit was issued including the requirements for utilities, roads, streets and other public improvements in any applicable Subdivision Regulations which must either be installed or guaranteed.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New, reconstructed, moved, altered, or changed-use structures and land in unincorporated McPherson County.

    • The certificate must be obtained before occupancy or use.
    • A temporary certificate may last no more than six months if satisfactory guarantees are submitted.
    • The County Zoning Administrator must issue the certificate or written reasons within 10 days after notice of readiness.

    temporary occupancy certificate maximum duration: <= 6 months (pending completion of additions or improvements or during partial occupancy)

    “No structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or altered after the effective date of these regulations shall be occupied or used for any purpose; and no land vacant on the effective date of these regulations shall be used for any purpose; and no use of any land or structure shall be changed to any other use, unless an occupancy certificate shall first have been obtained from the Zoning Administrator certifying that the proposed use or occupancy complies with all the provisions of these regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Occupation or use of structures, additions, vacant land, or changed land uses covered by the county zoning regulations.
      “No structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or altered after the effective date of these regulations shall be occupied or used for any purpose; and no land vacant on the effective date of these regulations shall be used for any purpose; and no use of any land or structure shall be changed to any other use, unless an occupancy certificate shall first have been obtained from the Zoning Administrator certifying that the proposed use or occupancy complies with all the provisions of these regulations.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning history and current county zoning authority.

    • The current zoning regulations expressly govern the unincorporated areas; incorporated municipalities may administer their own land-use rules.
    “The entire county was zoned by June 21, 1978. McPherson County is 900 square miles in size, thirty (30) miles by thirty (30) miles square and approximately thirteen (13) square miles are incorporated as cities, thus, 887 square miles remain as unincorporated territory.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land use and building location in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.
      “From the effective date of this Resolution, the Zoning Regulations of McPherson County, Kansas and the Official Zoning District Map for McPherson County, both dated November 14, 2023 and incorporated in this Resolution by reference, govern all use of the land and the location of buildings and other structures placed within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County, Kansas.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    County aggregate of county zoning in unincorporated areas and municipal or extraterritorial rules affecting incorporated areas and subdivision/floodplain matters.

    • The county regulations apply in unincorporated areas.
    • The cities of Inman, McPherson, and Moundridge have extraterritorial jurisdiction for subdivision development and floodplain management within three miles.
    “The cities of Inman, McPherson, and Moundridge have Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) for subdivision development and floodplain management within a 3-mile.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — County zoning regulation of land use and building location within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.
      “within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Official county zoning districts and district boundaries for unincorporated McPherson County.

    • The official zoning map is incorporated by reference.
    • The map must be kept on file by the County Zoning Administrator and made available for public inspection during reasonable business hours.
    • The adopted regulations identify district classifications and boundaries.
    “The revised Official Zoning District Map for McPherson County delineates the boundaries of zoning districts and their classifications.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — County zoning districts and their dimensional controls.
      “They establish zoning district boundaries and classifications of zoning districts; adopt by reference an official map of zoning districts; define certain terms used in the Zoning Regulations; regulate the maximum dimensions of buildings and other structures through bulk regulations and lot areas;”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    District-specific minimum lot areas in the county zoning regulations.

    • For a wastewater lagoon, the cited district requires 5 acres.
    • For a subsurface soil absorption system, the cited district requires 3 acres.
    • The lot-area requirement must increase as necessary to meet County Sanitation Code standards.

    minimum lot area for wastewater lagoon: 5 acres · minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption system: 3 acres

    “Minimum lot area: * (See Section 2-102 for definition of LOT AREA.) a. All uses: i. Wastewater lagoon: 5 acres. ii. Subsurface soil absorption system: 3 acres.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum front, side, and rear yards and building setbacks under county zoning districts.

    • Setbacks vary by district.
    • Recorded subdivision plats may establish a different setback or front yard.
    • Existing residential streets may require average setbacks, subject to a 50-foot maximum and 20-foot minimum described in the regulations.
    • Nonconforming structures and uses and Section 3-103 exceptions may alter the general rule.

    front yard example: 35 feet (cited district example) · side yard residential example: 15 feet (cited district example) · side yard other uses example: 20 feet (cited district example) · rear yard example: 30 feet (cited district example)

    “No structure, or part thereof, shall hereafter be built, moved or structurally altered and no structure or land shall hereafter be used, occupied or designed for use or occupancy: a. That would exceed the maximum lot coverage percentage or the maximum structure height specified for the zoning district in which the structure is located, unless exempted by the definition of MAXIMUM HEIGHT, or b. That would provide any minimum setback of a front, side or rear yard that is less than that specified for the zoning district in which such structure or use of land is located or maintained, except as front yard setbacks may be applied in Section 3-103B and C and front and side yard setbacks for nonconforming structures and uses in Article 8.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — District-specific building setbacks in unincorporated McPherson County.
      “Front yard: 35 feet on all sides abutting a street. b. Side yards: i. Residential: 15 feet. ii. Other uses: 20 feet. 2. Minimum rear yard: 30 feet.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Maximum lot coverage under county zoning districts.

    • Coverage limits vary by district.
    • The cited district limits impervious surface coverage to 35 percent.

    maximum impervious surface coverage: 35 percent (cited district example)

    “E. Bulk Regulations. 1. Maximum structure height: 35 feet. 2. Minimum yard requirements: a. Front yard: 35 feet on all sides abutting a street. b. Side yards: i. Residential: 15 feet. ii. Other uses: 20 feet. 2. Minimum rear yard: 30 feet. 3. Maximum lot coverage: 35% impervious surface coverage.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Maximum impervious-surface coverage in a cited county zoning district.
      “Maximum lot coverage: 35% impervious surface coverage.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Maximum structure height under county zoning districts.

    • Height limits vary by district.
    • The cited district has a maximum structure height of 35 feet.
    • The general rule contains an exception for the definition of maximum height.

    maximum structure height: 35 feet (cited district example and maximum-height definition)

    “E. Bulk Regulations. 1. Maximum structure height: 35 feet. 2. Minimum yard requirements: a. Front yard: 35 feet on all sides abutting a street.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Maximum structure height in a cited county zoning district.
      “Maximum structure height: 35 feet. 2. Minimum yard requirements: a. Front yard: 35 feet on all sides abutting a street.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Storage and occupancy of recreational vehicles on residential lots in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.

    • Recreational vehicles may not be used for living purposes except for temporary lodging of not more than 15 days at any one time.
    • The RV must be stored on the driveway or on a graveled or paved surface parallel and adjacent to the driveway of a lot in a residential district.
    • The use is limited to the occupant who is the vehicle owner.
    • The RV must be at least five feet from the front lot line and may not be stored in a front yard setback.
    • The regulations are dated November 14, 2023, and state an effective date of January 1, 2024.

    maximum temporary lodging period: <= 15 days at any one time · minimum distance from front lot line: >= 5 feet (The RV may not otherwise be stored in a front yard setback.)

    “Storage of recreational vehicles; provided, that they shall not be utilized for living purposes, except for the convenience of temporary lodging only for not more than 15 days at any one time, and when stored on the driveway or on a graveled or paved surface parallel and adjacent to the driveway of a lot in a residential district only by the occupant who is the vehicle owner, shall be located not less than five feet from the front lot line and not otherwise stored in a front yard setback.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Temporary only (with conditions) — Recreational vehicles, including motor homes, campers, camping trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and similar vehicles, on land governed by McPherson County zoning regulations in the unincorporated county.
      “temporary lodging only for not more than 15 days at any one time”
    • Prohibited — RV occupancy as a residential building in the A-2 Agricultural Transition District within unincorporated McPherson County.
      “B. Prohibited Uses [...] d. Recreational Vehicles (RVs)”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Tiny homes in county zoning jurisdiction.

    • A zoning permit is authorized only under the district and placement provisions of Section 3-104.
    • Temporary disaster placement is discretionary and conditioned by the Zoning Administrator.
    • Accessory placement during construction or reconstruction is limited to 18 months.

    construction accessory placement: <= 18 months (must be removed at the end of the permitted period)

    “The Zoning Administrator is authorized to issue a zoning permit for a manufactured or mobile home or RV Camper or Tiny Home under the following provisions:”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured or mobile homes in county zoning jurisdiction.

    • A manufactured or mobile home may not be located in a district that does not otherwise permit such homes.
    • A watchman or custodian accessory use may be approved in business and industrial districts and on land used for nonagricultural and nonresidential purposes in agricultural districts.
    • An agricultural compliance certificate may be used for an additional farm or ranch assistance home.
    • Disaster placement is temporary, discretionary, and conditioned.
    • Construction or reconstruction accessory placement is limited to 18 months.

    construction accessory placement: <= 18 months (must be removed at the end of the permitted period)

    “No manufactured or mobile home, or portion thereof, shall be moved onto any lot or parcel or an existing home converted for storage or any other purpose than for a residence in any district. No such home shall be temporarily or permanently located in any district not otherwise permitting such homes.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Manufactured-home placement and occupancy under district-specific county zoning regulations.
      “No structure shall hereafter be built, moved or structurally altered and no structure or land shall hereafter be used, occupied or designed for use or occupancy except for a use that is permitted within the zoning district in which the structure or land is located or provided for otherwise in these regulations.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    One accessory dwelling unit on the same zoning lot as a principal single-family dwelling.

    • Maximum one accessory dwelling unit per zoning lot.
    • Appearance must be compatible with the principal dwelling and neighborhood.
    • The lot must meet the applicable minimum lot area.
    • Required off-street parking must be provided.
    • Utility connections are subject to the County Sanitary Code.
    • A deed restriction must be filed before issuance of an occupancy certificate.
    • The unit may not be subdivided or sold as a condominium.

    maximum accessory dwelling units: 1 per zoning lot

    “A maximum of one accessory dwelling unit may be allowed on the same zoning lot as a single-family dwelling unit;”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site wells, cisterns, septic tank systems, and wastewater lagoons in unincorporated McPherson County where public facilities are unavailable.

    • The zoning regulations encourage connection to public water and sewage systems where available and economically feasible.
    • Where public facilities are unavailable and on-site systems are necessary, lot suitability and installation standards are governed by the County Sanitary Code.
    • Incorporated municipalities and areas subject to municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction may have separate or overlapping rules.
    “In areas where such public facilities are not yet available and on-site wells, cisterns and septic tank systems or wastewater lagoons are necessary, the suitability of the lot and the standards for installation of such on-site water supply and sewage disposal systems shall be governed by the County Sanitary Code.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Household, lawn-and-garden, and livestock/pasture water wells in McPherson County.

    • KDHE's county table lists no geothermal permit requirement for McPherson County.
    • The listed cost is $100.

    household well permit fee: 100 USD · lawn and garden well permit fee: 100 USD · livestock and pasture well permit fee: 100 USD

    “McPherson | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | $100”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural exemption determinations under county zoning regulations.

    • The Zoning Administrator may request an agricultural compliance certificate when needed to determine agricultural exemption status.
    • No fee applies to obtaining that certificate from the Zoning Administrator.

    agricultural compliance certificate fee: 0 USD

    “Completion of an agricultural compliance certificate may be requested by the Zoning Administrator when such information is needed to determine the agricultural exemption status described in Section 2-102. No fees shall apply to obtaining this certificate from the Zoning Administrator.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Agricultural-exemption determinations under county zoning regulations.
      “Completion of an agricultural compliance certificate may be requested by the Zoning Administrator when such information is needed to determine the agricultural exemption status described in Section 2-102. No fees shall apply to obtaining this certificate from the Zoning Administrator.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and lot-development requirements tied to county zoning permits in unincorporated McPherson County.

    • Applicable subdivision regulations govern utilities, roads, streets, and other public improvements.
    • Those improvements must be installed or guaranteed before an occupancy certificate is issued.
    • Inman, McPherson, and Moundridge have ETJ for subdivision development within 3 miles.
    “requirements for utilities, roads, streets and other public improvements in any applicable Subdivision Regulations which must either be installed or guaranteed.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Entrances and driveways connecting to county roads.

    • A culvert permit is required for requested entrances.
    • The entrance must meet County Public Works size, length, condition, and material requirements.
    • The application requires final inspection after culvert installation.
    • The minimum driveway top is 24 feet and minimum culvert opening is 18 inches.

    minimum driveway top: 24 feet · minimum culvert opening: 18 inches diameter · county-installed entrance fee: 2000 USD per entrance (limited to one entrance per field)

    “That any entrances Landowners may want, will require a culvert permit from the County Public Works Office, as to size and length required, also condition of culvert or material used for culvert.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Access for each zoning lot before issuance of an occupancy certificate.
      “Direct access must be available from the frontage of each zoning lot to an opened public road or street or otherwise the improvement of the road or street must be guaranteed by such methods as stated in any applicable Subdivision Regulations.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Floodplain development, including new construction, substantial improvements, subdivision proposals, prefabricated structures, and manufactured or mobile homes.

    • A written floodplain-development permit application is required.
    • Applications must identify the work, intended occupancy, flood-fringe or floodway location, elevations, plans, specifications, and authorized signature.
    • In A, AE, AO, and AH zones, permits require compliance with the ordinance conditions.
    • Until a floodway is designated, development in numbered A or AE zones must demonstrate no cumulative base-flood increase greater than one foot.

    maximum cumulative base-flood elevation increase before floodway designation: <= 1 foot (at any point within the community)

    “A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured or mobile homes, in the areas described in Article 2, Section A.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Grading and excavation for proposed construction sites.
      “A zoning permit is not initially required for grading and/or excavating a proposed construction site unless the site is located in an area described as a 1% Annual Chance Flood Area in the Floodplain Management Regulations of McPherson County in the Supplemental Documents of these regulations. (Note: If the site is located adjacent to a water body, regulations of the Water Division of the Kansas Department of Agriculture may apply.)”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    County zoning, occupancy, amendment, appeal, special-use, conditional-use, and variance applications.

    • Fees are set by a fee schedule approved by the governing body.
    • No part of the fee is refunded except for an unapproved zoning permit.
    “the applicant upon filing an application for an amendment, special use, appeal, conditional use, variance or a zoning permit including occupancy certificate, shall pay the County Treasurer a fee according to the fee schedule approve by the Governing Body.”
  • Permit processPartial

    County zoning-permit application and issuance process.

    • Applications require scaled parcel and structure drawings, including driveways, parking, loading, setbacks, waste disposal areas, and proposed uses.
    • The Zoning Administrator may require additional information.
    • The permit is issued or disapproved within 15 days unless a further period is agreed.
    • The applicant receives written reasons for disapproval.
    • The permit expires after 180 days absent commencement of qualifying work or use.

    decision period: 15 days (unless a further period is agreed) · permit validity: 180 days (subject to commencement or extension provisions)

    “A zoning permit shall be either issued or disapproved by the Zoning Administrator within 15 days after the receipt of an application thereof or within such further period as may be agreed to by the applicant. When the administrator refuses to issue a zoning permit, he shall advise the applicant in writing of the reasons for the disapproval.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — County zoning-permit process for proposed structures and uses in unincorporated McPherson County.
      “A zoning permit shall be either issued or disapproved by the Zoning Administrator within 15 days after the receipt of an application thereof or within such further period as may be agreed to by the applicant.”

Kansas rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Private onsite sewerage facilities serving domestic wastewater in Kansas.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Set by your township or city, not the county

In Kansas, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so McPherson 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
  • Camping on your land

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Septic inspection — Inspection of onsite wastewater systems in McPherson 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 McPherson 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 ↗
  • McPherson IGUCApartial of county

    IGUCA (1980, amended 2020) closed to new appropriations except domestic, temporary, and short-term permits.

    KDA-DWR — McPherson IGUCA ↗
  • Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2partial of county

    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.

    Kansas Dept of Agriculture — Division of Water Resources ↗

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 McPherson County, Kansas

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

McPherson County scores 49/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 14,605 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (32.2″/yr rainfall).

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

McPherson County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by McPherson County Sanitarian (Planning, Zoning & Environment) under KDHE LEPP. 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 McPherson County?

Living in an RV on your own land in McPherson County is limited to specific cases: Storage and occupancy of recreational vehicles on residential lots in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County. Recreational vehicles may not be used for living purposes except for temporary lodging of not more than 15 days at any one time. The RV must be stored on the driveway or on a graveled or paved surface parallel and adjacent to the driveway of a lot in a residential district. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in McPherson County, Kansas?

Land in McPherson County runs about $3,653 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McPherson County?

McPherson County gets about 32.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 23.2% of years. On water rights, McPherson County lies in the McPherson IGUCA — IGUCA (1980, amended 2020) closed to new appropriations except domestic, temporary, and short-term permits..

How remote is McPherson County?

A representative private-land location has about 14,605 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,241,556 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 McPherson compares in Kansas

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