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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area)
Required for new construction of dwellings, commercial structures, additions, renovations, accessory structures over 200 sq. ft. (Wichita) or 400 sq. ft. (unincorporated county), swimming pools, mobile homes, and most trade work (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, wastewater, well).
One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 200 sq. ft. within Wichita jurisdiction (a location permit from MABCD is still required prior to installation)
One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 400 sq. ft. within unincorporated Sedgwick County jurisdiction
Repair or replacement of roofing and/or siding not exceeding 100 sq. ft. within any 12-month period, provided no framing, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing changes are made
Replacement of windows or doors with same size or smaller units that do not involve removal, cutting, alteration, or replacement of any structural member
Low-voltage structured cabling operating at 50 volts or less (generally), unless the installation penetrates fire-rated assemblies or connects to line-voltage power systems
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 200 sq. ft. within Wichita jurisdiction (a location permit from MABCD is still required prior to installation)
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 400 sq. ft. within unincorporated Sedgwick County jurisdiction
- Exempt Repair or replacement of roofing and/or siding not exceeding 100 sq. ft. within any 12-month period, provided no framing, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing changes are made
- Exempt Replacement of windows or doors with same size or smaller units that do not involve removal, cutting, alteration, or replacement of any structural member
- Exempt Low-voltage structured cabling operating at 50 volts or less (generally), unless the installation penetrates fire-rated assemblies or connects to line-voltage power systems
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Site/plot plan showing property boundaries and setbacks
- Construction drawings (scale not required for simple projects but required for commercial)
- Legal description or tax key number for unplatted properties
- Building code
- 2024 IBC (International Building Code), 2024 IEBC (Existing Buildings), 2018 IRC (International Residential Code), 2018 IFC (International Fire Code), 2023 NEC (National Electrical Code), plus International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, and Kansas Energy Code.
- Permit validity
- Permits are valid for 180 days; work must begin within 180 days of issuance and inspections must occur within 180 days of the last inspection. Extensions available upon request.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may pull permits for work on their own primary residence. Contact MABCD for specifics.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must hold a valid MABCD contractor license. License requirements include: Certificate of Liability Insurance (minimum $300,000 General Liability) naming MABCD as certificate holder, Workers Compensation certificate or notarized waiver, Auto insurance certificate or notarized waiver. General Contractor licenses expire Dec. 31 of every even year; Trade Contractor licenses expire Dec. 31 of every odd year.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Residential permits may be issued same day or within a few business days. Commercial plan review varies; complex projects may take several weeks.
- 01 Determine whether a permit is required using the 'Do I Need a Permit?' page.
- 02 Create an account at the MABCD Portal.
- 03 Submit permit application online with all required documents, site plan, and project description.
- 04 Pay permit fees online through the portal or in person at the MABCD office.
- 05 Receive permit (issued electronically or picked up in person).
- 06 Post permit on job site before beginning work.
- 07 Schedule and pass all required inspections via the MABCD Portal or IVR phone system.
- 08 Upon final inspection approval, certificate of occupancy is issued for applicable projects.
Typical processing time: Residential permits may be issued same day or within a few business days. Commercial plan review varies; complex projects may take several weeks.
Source: Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area) building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Commercial projects require plan review; fees based on project valuation. See MABCD Fees page for Table B.
02
Permit fee formula
Square footage-based for residential. For finished living area: $0.38 per sq. ft. For unfinished basements, attached garages, covered porches, and decks: $0.30 per sq. ft. For other unfinished space: $0.20 per sq. ft. Commercial fees based on project valuation (Table B on the MABCD fee schedule). Annual Operating Permit fee: $25.00.
03
Reinspection fee
Work started without a permit may be subject to double permit fees. Contact MABCD for current reinspection fee amounts.
Fees paid online via MABCD Portal or in person at the MABCD office.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- MABCD Portal (online)
- IVR phone system (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Typical sequence: Foundation/footing, framing, rough-in (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), insulation, final inspection. Specific sequence depends on project type.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area) permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS? ▸
Required for new construction of dwellings, commercial structures, additions, renovations, accessory structures over 200 sq. ft. (Wichita) or 400 sq. ft. (unincorporated county), swimming pools, mobile homes, and most trade work (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, wastewater, well).
02 How much does a building permit cost in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS? ▸
Building permit fees in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Square footage-based for residential. For finished living area: $0.38 per sq. ft. For unfinished basements, attached garages, covered porches, and decks: $0.30 per sq. ft. For other unfinished space: $0.20 per sq. ft. Commercial fees based on project valuation (Table B on the MABCD fee schedule). Annual Operating Permit fee: $25.00.. Plan check fee: Commercial projects require plan review; fees based on project valuation. See MABCD Fees page for Table B..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether a permit is required using the 'Do I Need a Permit?' page. 2. Create an account at the MABCD Portal. 3. Submit permit application online with all required documents, site plan, and project description. 4. Pay permit fees online through the portal or in person at the MABCD office. 5. Receive permit (issued electronically or picked up in person). 6. Post permit on job site before beginning work. 7. Schedule and pass all required inspections via the MABCD Portal or IVR phone system. 8. Upon final inspection approval, certificate of occupancy is issued for applicable projects.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS? ▸
Building permit processing times in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS typically run Residential permits may be issued same day or within a few business days. Commercial plan review varies; complex projects may take several weeks.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 200 sq. ft. within Wichita jurisdiction (a location permit from MABCD is still required prior to installation); One-story detached accessory structures with floor area not exceeding 400 sq. ft. within unincorporated Sedgwick County jurisdiction; Repair or replacement of roofing and/or siding not exceeding 100 sq. ft. within any 12-month period, provided no framing, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing changes are made; Replacement of windows or doors with same size or smaller units that do not involve removal, cutting, alteration, or replacement of any structural member; Low-voltage structured cabling operating at 50 volts or less (generally), unless the installation penetrates fire-rated assemblies or connects to line-voltage power systems; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Wichita / Sedgwick County (Unincorporated Area), KS via: MABCD Portal, IVR phone system.
last verified April 2026
source Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) ↗
entry id permits/kansas/sedgwick/wichita
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.