City Building Permits
Shawnee, KS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Shawnee, Kansas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Covers all work within incorporated City of Shawnee limits. Note: Shawnee also provides plan review and inspection services to the City of Lake Quivira under a service agreement.
- Department
- Building Codes Division, Community Development Department, City of Shawnee
- Address
- 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203
- Phone
- 913-742-6010
- codes@cityofshawnee.org
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CitizenServe • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Visit citizenserve.com/shawnee or City Hall at 11110 Johnson Drive.
- Create CitizenServe account or log in.
- Select permit type: building, floodplain, land disturbance, public improvement, sign, or other.
- Complete application with project details, contractor license numbers, and required documents.
- Submit application and pay non-refundable filing fee based on project value.
- Plans reviewed for compliance with 2018 International Codes.
- Permit issued upon approval.
- Post permit at job site and begin work.
- Schedule required inspections via CitizenServe or by calling 913-742-6010.
- Obtain final inspection to close permit.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact 913-742-6010.
Source: Building Codes Division, Community Development Department, City of Shawnee
General Requirements
Required for all new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and all electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work.
Required Documents
- Completed application
- Site plan
- Construction documents
- Contractor license numbers
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if no inspection is obtained within any 180-day period after issuance. Every building permit expires two years from date of issuance.
- Building code
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC). Adopted effective July 1, 2019.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may perform work on their primary residence; contact 913-742-6010 for owner-builder affidavit requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must be licensed through the Johnson County Contractor Licensing Program.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Included in fee schedule; contact 913-742-6010.
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based. Fee charged based on the value of work to be performed per the adopted fee schedule.
- Reinspection fee
- Double the normal permit fee for work performed before a permit is obtained.
- Payment note
- Online via CitizenServe; in-person at City Hall. Non-refundable filing fee due at application.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Ordinary maintenance and repair not affecting structural, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Replacement of equivalent fixtures without system modification
Important: Contact 913-742-6010 or review Shawnee Municipal Code for complete exemption list.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- CitizenServe (online)
- 913-742-6010 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Footing/foundation, framing, rough trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), insulation, final. Sequence varies by project type. Both the permit holder and property owner bear legal obligation to obtain required inspections. Permit expires if no inspection within 180 days.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 International Building Code (IBC), 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), 2018 International Fire Code (IFC), 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC), 2018 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC). Adopted effective July 1, 2019.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Inspection Requirements
- FAQs
- CitizenServe Portal
- License lookup guide: Kansas Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Kansas Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Kansas hub: Kansas Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Codes Division, Community Development Department, City of Shawnee before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shawnee Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Shawnee, KS?
- Required for all new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and all electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Shawnee, KS?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Fee charged based on the value of work to be performed per the adopted fee schedule.. Plan check fee: Included in fee schedule; contact 913-742-6010..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Shawnee, KS?
- 1. Visit citizenserve.com/shawnee or City Hall at 11110 Johnson Drive. 2. Create CitizenServe account or log in. 3. Select permit type: building, floodplain, land disturbance, public improvement, sign, or other. 4. Complete application with project details, contractor license numbers, and required documents. 5. Submit application and pay non-refundable filing fee based on project value. 6. Plans reviewed for compliance with 2018 International Codes. 7. Permit issued upon approval. 8. Post permit at job site and begin work. 9. Schedule required inspections via CitizenServe or by calling 913-742-6010. 10. Obtain final inspection to close permit.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Shawnee, KS?
- Typical processing time is Not published; contact 913-742-6010..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Shawnee, KS?
- The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary maintenance and repair not affecting structural, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems; Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Replacement of equivalent fixtures without system modification. Note: Contact 913-742-6010 or review Shawnee Municipal Code for complete exemption list.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Shawnee, KS?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: CitizenServe, 913-742-6010.
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