Building permits, zoning and land rules in Rawlins County, Kansas
41Index Score / 100 #86 of 105 in Kansas
Residential building permits appear not to be required in unincorporated Rawlins County, Kansas, but the county has not published an explicit no-permit statement1. Inside Atwood, the city administers building permits and zoning23. Septic systems remain governed by the Rawlins County Sanitary Code, and Rawlins County requires permits for several water-well categories45.
At a glance
Building permit
Appears not required in unincorporated Rawlins County; confirm with the County Clerk1
Zoning
County zoning is unconfirmed; Atwood administers municipal zoning and building permits623
Septic
Governed by the Rawlins County Sanitary Code adopted in 19924
Water well permit
County permit required for household, lawn/garden and livestock wells; $125 fee ($250 for oil-field water-supply wells)5
Agricultural-use zoning exemption
Kansas exempts land and buildings used only for agriculture from zoning, except floodplain rules7
Driveway onto a state highway
Requires a KDOT Highway Access Permit; usually 2-4 weeks for a non-commercial driveway8
Floodplain work
A state permit is required for regulated levee work or regulated fill in a regulated stream floodplain9
County public health services; the most plausible county contact for septic/OSSF questions, though no official page confirms it administers the sanitary code
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Do you need a building permit in Rawlins County, Kansas?
A residential building permit appears not to be required in unincorporated Rawlins County1. Rawlins County lists no building, codes or permitting office, but that office list is not an explicit statement that every project is permit-free1. We could not confirm a county residential inspection rule, certificate-of-occupancy rule, adopted building code or general owner-builder exemption; ask the Rawlins County Clerk's Office about the specific parcel and project10. Kansas exempts land and buildings used only for agricultural purposes from zoning, but that exemption does not displace floodplain regulations7. Inside Atwood, the city administers building permits and zoning, with district-specific lot and setback standards2311. Atwood's city process does not replace the Rawlins County rules for septic systems and water-well permits45. Regulated floodplain work and state-highway access also have separate approvals98.
Who issues building permits in Rawlins County, and how do you reach them?
Rawlins County lists no dedicated building department, so the Rawlins County Clerk's Office is the starting point for building-permit questions about an unincorporated parcel10. Inside Atwood, city zoning administers building permits; the city's application also identifies zoning districts and dimensional standards23. The city building-permit process does not shift septic or well authority away from Rawlins County: the county sanitary code governs onsite wastewater, and county permits are required for household, lawn-and-garden, and livestock or pasture wells45. Call the Rawlins County Public Health Department to identify the current septic application contact12. Contact the Road & Bridge Department about access or a culvert on a county road; access to a state highway instead requires an application to KDOT's Area Permit Coordinator1314.
Does Rawlins County have zoning?
Rawlins County lists no county planning or zoning office, but we could not confirm whether unincorporated land is subject to county-administered zoning6. Kansas exempts land and buildings used only for agricultural purposes from zoning, except in designated floodplains7. Inside Atwood, the city administers zoning and building permits2. Atwood's application lists zoning districts with their own lot and setback standards, so a city parcel must satisfy the applicable district rules311. For qualifying new single-family homes under 2,500 square feet on a separately described lot, Kansas requires political subdivisions to allow a 3,000-square-foot minimum residential lot15. That rule still permits reasonable setbacks but supplies no statewide numeric setback distance16. Ask the County Clerk about zoning approval for unincorporated land and the City of Atwood about city zoning approval and building permits; county septic and well rules remain separate1045.
How do septic and water-well permits work in Rawlins County?
The Rawlins County Sanitary Code, adopted in November 1992, governs onsite wastewater systems throughout the county, including addresses inside Atwood4. Kansas law generally makes the local health department responsible for administering a county sanitary code unless county commissioners assign that work to another county agency17. We could not confirm Rawlins County's current septic-permit application, fee or inspection steps, so call the Public Health Department before hiring a designer or installer12. Kansas requires home wastewater to use a properly designed septic tank-soil absorption field, wastewater pond, approved alternative system or permitted treatment plant; seepage pits, cesspools and dry wells are prohibited18. About 56% of county soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, but an individual site still needs evaluation19. Rawlins County separately requires water-well permits for household, lawn-and-garden, and livestock or pasture wells at $125, while an oil-field water-supply well permit costs $2505.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Rawlins County?
We could not confirm whether long-term RV living, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy is allowed on unincorporated land in Rawlins County6. The absence of a listed county zoning office does not by itself authorize those uses6. Any occupied structure must still use an allowed wastewater method under Kansas standards and the Rawlins County Sanitary Code184. Manufactured homes remain subject to any applicable city or county zoning regulations, and Atwood administers municipal zoning and building permits202. Before buying for an RV, tiny home or manufactured home, give the parcel number and intended use to the Rawlins County Clerk's Office; for a parcel inside Atwood, ask the city about zoning approval and building permits, then confirm county septic and water-well requirements10345.
Building a home in Rawlins County: the steps, in order
Confirm whether the parcel is unincorporated or inside Atwood, because the city administers building permits and zoning23.
For unincorporated land, ask the Rawlins County Clerk's Office whether the project needs a building permit; a residential building permit appears not to be required, but the county has not published an explicit no-permit statement110.
For land inside Atwood, obtain the city's building permit and zoning approval required for the project and district23.
If the project is agricultural, confirm that the land and buildings will be used only for agriculture; Kansas's zoning exemption does not override floodplain rules7.
Call the Public Health Department to identify the current septic-permit contact under the Rawlins County Sanitary Code412.
Obtain the required county water-well permit for a household, lawn-and-garden, or livestock well5.
Ask whether regulated levee work or floodplain fill needs a state permit9.
Apply to KDOT for a state-highway driveway permit, or ask the Road & Bridge Department about access or a culvert on a county road1413.
What to check before you buy land in Rawlins County, Kansas
The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 194 miles from the county center, and population density is about 2.3 people per square mile2122. About 76.3% of the land has slopes of 15% or less, while just 0.4% is wooded2324. Annual precipitation averages about 20.8 inches, and severe drought has occurred in roughly 29% of measured years2526. About 56% of county soils lack severe limitations for conventional septic drain fields, but parcel-level soils still matter19. Farmland value is about $1,810 per acre, while the typical home value is about $136,7782728. Before closing, verify whether the parcel is inside Atwood, where city building permits and zoning apply; then confirm legal road access and county septic and well requirements231245.
Watch-outs
County-administered zoning for unincorporated Rawlins County could not be confirmed; do not confuse that gap with Atwood, where the city administers building permits and zoning1023.
RV, tiny-home and manufactured-home occupancy on unincorporated Rawlins County land is not addressed by any official source found; call the County Clerk's Office to confirm before you buy10.
Rawlins County's current septic application, fee and inspection steps could not be confirmed; call the Public Health Department before installing or replacing a system412.
Regulated levee work or regulated fill in a regulated stream floodplain requires a state permit, and other local or agency permits may also apply9.
A general owner-builder exemption, certificates of occupancy, minimum dwelling size, and building-code adoption for Rawlins County could not be confirmed; the statewide agricultural-use zoning exemption is narrower and does not override floodplain rules107.
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.
Rawlins County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score
How Rawlins County scores
Seclusion88100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency1492% ev.
Admin Boringness8290% ev.
Durability34100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost7596% 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 →
$137kTypical home
1.7%Property tax
$1,810Land / acre
20.8"Annual rain
29% of yrsSevere drought
25.8 / yr (+17.1)Mid-century 100°F days
26.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.27" (+3.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.39×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,987Home insurance / yr
-2% / yrInsurance growth
2.4%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
1,076People within 30 min
89,574People within 2 hr
1,888Radius comparison (15 mi)
2.3People / sq mi
0%Federal land
76.3%Land at 15% slope or less
56%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in Rawlins County
Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Rawlins County rules
Who permits septicCounty
Onsite wastewater systems governed by the Rawlins County sanitary code.
KDHE lists a Rawlins County Sanitary Code adopted November 1992.
The state describes county sanitary codes as specifying local design and permitting requirements.
The cited materials do not state whether incorporated municipalities have separate rules.
“Rawlins County Sanitary Code Adopted November 1992 (PDF)”
Well permitRequired
Water wells in Rawlins County, by use category listed in KDHE's county-permit table.
The KDHE page states that the poll was sent in January 2026 and will be updated annually.
The table lists Rawlins County as requiring permits for household, lawn and garden, and livestock/pasture wells.
Geothermal wells are listed as not requiring a county permit, except that oil field water supply wells require one.
The page warns that a well may also need a Division of Water Resources permit, Class V Authorization, Public Water Supplies permit, or other approval.
household well county permit: Yes · lawn and garden well county permit: Yes · livestock/pasture well county permit: Yes · geothermal well county permit: No (Oil Field Water Supply Wells: Yes) · household/lawn-and-garden/livestock-pasture permit fee: 125 USD (The table does not separately allocate the fee among those categories.) · oil field water supply well permit fee: 250 USD
“Rawlins | Yes | Yes | Yes | No*for Oil Field Water Supply Wells, Yes | $125 $250 for OFWS”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Household, lawn-and-garden, and livestock/pasture water wells in Rawlins County.
“Rawlins | Yes | Yes | Yes | No*for Oil Field Water Supply Wells, Yes | $125 $250 for OFWS”
County-wide zoningAbsent
No county planning or zoning department appears among the county's listed departments, indicating no county-administered zoning for unincorporated land.
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.”
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.”
InspectionsRequired
Buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas undergoing construction or covered repairs, improvements, or occupancy changes.
DCC conducts the building construction inspections for buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.
Healthcare and childcare occupancies and Board of Regents capital-improvement projects require joint or additional OSFM inspection as described in the manual.
Required code inspections are tied to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
“The Department of Administration - Office of Facilities Management - Design, Construction & Compliance conducts building construction inspections on buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Building construction inspections for buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.
“The Department of Administration - Office of Facilities Management - Design, Construction & Compliance conducts building construction inspections on buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.”
Certificate of occupancyRequired
Any portion of a State of Kansas-owned building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy, under the Department of Administration DCC process.
Form 150 is issued before occupancy of any portion of a building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy.
Healthcare and childcare occupancies and Board of Regents capital-improvement projects require OSFM participation in construction inspections before authorization or acceptance of occupancy.
The manual states that failure to submit the occupancy request and schedule required inspections results in denial of occupancy.
certificate form: Form 150 - Certificate of Occupancy
“Form 150 - Certificate of Occupancy will be issued by DCC prior to occupancy of any portion of a building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy. For Healthcare and Childcare Occupancies and Capital Improvement Projects for the Board of Regents, OSFM will perform construction inspections prior to authorization/acceptance of occupancy.”
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 the residence's own separate lot or parcel with its own individual legal description.
The rule requires political subdivisions to allow a minimum residential lot size of 3,000 square feet.
The lot-size rule is subject to reasonable setback requirements that avoid unwarranted hardship yet protect public welfare and safety.
The statute was approved April 7, 2026, and states that the act takes effect and is in force from and after publication in the statute book.
minimum residential lot size: >= 3000 square feet (Applies to the described qualifying single-family residences.)
“minimum residential lot size of 3,000 square feet”
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”
SetbacksSpecified
Reasonable setback requirements applicable to qualifying new single-family residences under Kansas New Section 3(a).
Setbacks may be imposed in connection with the 3,000-square-foot minimum residential lot-size allowance.
The statute gives no numeric setback distance; requirements must avoid unwarranted hardship yet protect public welfare and safety.
The statute was approved April 7, 2026, and states that the act takes effect and is in force from and after publication in the statute book.
setback standard: reasonable setback requirements that avoid unwarranted hardship yet protect the public welfare and safety (No numeric distance stated.)
“subject to any reasonable setback requirements”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
District specific (with conditions) — Building setbacks and yard or open-space requirements established by applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.
“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 disposal in Rawlins County, subject to statewide Kansas requirements and any stricter local sanitary-code provisions.
All domestic wastewater must be discharged to an approved sewage collection system, approved lagoon, septic system, or approved alternative system.
Home wastewater may use a properly designed and maintained septic tank-soil absorption field, wastewater pond, approved alternative treatment and disposal system, or permitted sewage treatment plant.
Seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells (rat holes) are not permitted.
Industrial or commercial wastewater may not be discharged to an onsite soil absorption system or mixed with domestic wastewater.
Local requirements may be more stringent than Bulletin 4-2.
“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.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
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
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.”
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 thereon for those purposes under Kansas zoning authority.
“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 accessRequired
Private or commercial driveway access from property in Rawlins County to a Kansas state highway.
The requirement is limited to access work involving a State Highway or its highway right-of-way.
The application must include the required information and supporting plans or documents.
The abutting property owner or land developer is responsible for all costs incurred by improvements on highway right-of-way.
County-road and other local-road driveway requirements were not established from the official pages opened.
normal review and approval time for non-commercial driveway: 2-4 weeks
“To construct, relocate, close, or modify access(es) to a State Highway [...] an Application for Highway Access must be submitted”
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
Statewide Kansas framework governing locally adopted floodplain zones, districts, and floodplain development regulations
A local governing body may establish floodplain zones and districts; the statute does not itself impose one uniform permit requirement on every development statewide.
Any floodplain regulations must comply with the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and rules adopted under it.
Before adoption, a local ordinance, resolution, regulation, or plan creating or changing a floodplain zone or district, or regulating structures, encroachments, or land uses in the area, must be submitted to the chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources.
The chief engineer may require complete maps, plans, profiles, specifications, and textual matter; approval or disapproval is due within 90 days after receipt of all required data, and failure to act within that period results in deemed approval.
Under K.A.R. 5-44-4, local floodplain zoning regulations must identify flood hazard areas by a specific map, meet or exceed federal minimum requirements, meet or exceed applicable chief-engineer requirements, and designate a local floodplain administrator responsible for reviewing and issuing floodplain development permits.
K.A.R. 5-44-1 states that its definitions apply in administering K.S.A. 12-766; its listed effective dates are January 1, 1992 and February 17, 1992.
chief engineer review period: 90 days (After receipt of all data required by the chief engineer; failure to approve or disapprove within the period results in deemed approval.) · flood threshold referenced by K.S.A. 12-766: 1% annual chance (The governing body may restrict application to lands adjacent to watercourses subject to floods of a lesser magnitude than that having a one-percent chance occurrence in any one year.)
“The governing body may establish flood plain zones and districts and restrict the use of land therein”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Required — Construction, modification, or repair of a regulated levee, or placement of regulated floodplain fill, within the floodplain of a regulated stream in Rawlins County, Kansas.
“Permits are required if the project involves: [...] Construction, modification, or repair of a regulated levee within the floodplain of a regulated stream Placement of a regulated floodplain fill within the floodplain of a regulated stream”
Limited — Development in special flood hazard areas under Kansas local floodplain-management ordinances based on the Kansas Department of Agriculture model ordinance.
“In all areas covered by this ordinance, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit”
Short-term rentalsLimited
Short-term rentals and vacation units or properties regulated by a Kansas municipality during the temporary statutory period from May 15, 2026 through July 25, 2026.
The temporary rule applied from May 15, 2026 through July 25, 2026.
No municipality could limit the number of permits or other municipal authorizations or limit rental duration during that period.
Completed authorization applications had to receive a response within 15 calendar days.
If the municipality failed to process and respond within 15 calendar days, the application was deemed approved and no additional municipal regulation or code requirement could be imposed as a condition of approval.
The definition excluded a permanent guest or a person occupying under a contract intended for long-term or permanent occupancy for more than 28 consecutive days within the period.
application response deadline: 15 calendar days (completed municipal authorization applications during the statutory period)
“During such period, all completed applications to a municipality [...] shall be processed by the municipality [...] within 15 calendar days.”
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)
Constructing, relocating, closing, modifying, or changing the use of driveway access to a Kansas state highway, including such access located in Rawlins County.
The rule applies to access to a State Highway, not automatically to county-road or other local-road access.
The applicant must submit the application to the KDOT Area Permit Coordinator for the property location.
An incomplete application will not be accepted; additional information, plans, and documents may be required.
Construction cannot begin until the permit is issued.
A completed application that is approved results in a Highway Access Permit.
KDOT's access page states that review and approval normally takes 2-4 weeks for a non-commercial driveway.
normal review and approval time for non-commercial driveway: 2-4 weeks
“Submit a completed Application for Highway Access to the KDOT Area Permit Coordinator in which the subject property is located.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Published (with conditions) — KDHE air-quality construction permits or approvals for projects whose potential-to-emit increase exceeds applicable regulatory thresholds.
“foundation work is considered to be "beginning actual construction" and must wait until after issuance.”
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 Rawlins County
Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Zoning within the incorporated City of Atwood, Rawlins County, Kansas; this claim does not establish county zoning for unincorporated land.
The cited zoning districts and dimensional standards apply to the City of Atwood; applicability outside the incorporated city was not established by this source.
Projects may require the applicable zoning, building, conditional-use, lot-split, plat-approval, or other city approval shown in the application materials.
A-1 minimum lot area: 3 Acres · R-1 minimum lot area: 7,000 sq. ft. · R-2 minimum lot area: 8,000 sq. ft. · R-3 maximum units: <= 16 units · R-3 minimum lot area: 6,000 sq. ft.
“A-1 Agricultural 3 Acres [...] R-1 Single Family 7,000 sq. ft. [...] R-2 Duplex 8,000 sq. ft. [...] R-3 Multi-Family (max. 16 units) 6,000 sq. ft.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Present (with conditions) — Residential and other land uses within the City of Atwood, Kansas, where zoning districts and district-specific setbacks apply.
“Setbacks Per Zoning District City Easements are 40’ from center of an 80’ street to the front yard (50’ from center of 100’ wide street), plus front yard measurement listed below (for corner lots easement applies both ways). Alley easements are 12.5’ (25’ alley) or 15’ (30’ alley), plus, 5’ to back yard.”
Present (with conditions) — Zoning within the incorporated City of Atwood, Rawlins County, Kansas.
“Zoning – approved five building permits.”
Set by your township or city, not the county
In Kansas, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Rawlins 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.
Septic inspection — Inspection requirements for onsite wastewater systems in Rawlins 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 Rawlins 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
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 Rawlins County, Kansas
Is Rawlins County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Rawlins County scores 41/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 1,076 people within a 30-minute drive and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: thin water margin (20.8″/yr rainfall) and elevated current hazard exposure.
Do you need a building permit in Rawlins County, Kansas?
Rawlins 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 Rawlins County (Sanitary Code, adopted Nov. 1992; listed by KDHE). 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 Rawlins County, Kansas?
Land in Rawlins County runs about $1,810 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Rawlins County?
Rawlins County gets about 20.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 29% of years. On water rights, Rawlins County lies in the Northwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 4 (GMD4) — Closed to new appropriations; district LEMAs cap and reduce existing Ogallala pumping. Domestic use exempt..
How remote is Rawlins County?
A representative private-land location has about 1,076 people within a 30-minute drive and 89,574 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.
