Unincorporated Douglas County

All buildings and accessory buildings require a building permit. This includes new construction, enlargements, additions, alterations, relocations, and demolitions of structures in the unincorporated county. Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work also require permits.

• Exempt Structures erected and used strictly for agricultural purposes that meet the Agricultural Exemption certification requirements (Ag Exemption must be applied for and certified)
• Exempt Installation, alteration, or repair of generation, transmission, distribution, or metering equipment under the ownership and control of public service agencies by established right

Note: Agricultural structures are the primary exemption class. All other buildings and accessory structures, including sheds and storage buildings, require a permit in the unincorporated county. This is stricter than most Kansas cities.

Building code

2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC)

Permit validity

Not publicly stated on the website; contact department for current policy

Owner-builder

Not publicly detailed; contact department

Contractor requirements

Not publicly detailed for county-level contractor licensing; contact department for current requirements

1. 01
   Obtain application package from the Douglas County Zoning and Codes Department or download from https://www.dgcoks.gov/zoning-and-codes/building-code
2. 02
   Secure Douglas County Health Department approval of the septic system (new construction requiring on-site wastewater)
3. 03
   Obtain road access authorization from the applicable township trustee, Douglas County Public Works, or KDOT depending on road type
4. 04
   Prepare two sets of construction drawings and a site plan prepared by a Kansas-licensed land surveyor
5. 05
   Include a recorded copy of the property deed
6. 06
   Submit completed application with all documents by email to building@dgcoks.gov or in person at 3755 E 25th Street
7. 07
   Pay permit fee upon approval (fee based on project valuation)
8. 08
   Receive issued permit; post permit on job site
9. 09
   Schedule required inspections by calling 785-331-1343 with 24 hours advance notice
10. 10
    Obtain all required inspections through final inspection and Health Department approvals
11. 11
    Receive certificate of occupancy or final sign-off

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact department for current turnaround

Source: Douglas County Zoning and Codes Department ↗

Contact department for accepted payment methods; office hours Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 785-331-1343 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

24 hours advance notice required

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: footing inspection, foundation inspection, temporary power poles, under-slab plumbing, rough-in plumbing, rough-in electrical, mechanical rough-in, framing inspection, masonry fireplace and chimney, insulation inspection, drywall inspection, permanent electrical service, final plumbing, final electrical, final septic system approval, final well water supply or water meter inspection, final entrance permit approval, final inspection