County Building Permits
Wabaunsee County, KS - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wabaunsee County, Kansas. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County-wide zoning and building oversight for the unincorporated area
- Department
- Wabaunsee County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 403 Iowa, Alma, KS 66401
- Phone
- (785) 765-3432
- zoning@wbcounty.org
Application Process
- Confirm jurisdiction and scope with Planning and Zoning.
- Complete the county building permit application PDF.
- Attach site plan, plans, and utility/inspection details if needed.
- County review is routed through Planning and Zoning.
- Permit is issued after review and approval.
General Requirements
County zoning regulations say a permit is required for development and building use in regulated areas.
Required Documents
- Application
- Applicant contact info
- Parcel/site information
- Drawing or plans if requested
- Contractor information
- Utility information
- Any required health or entrance approvals
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $25 special event permit; building fees start at $100 for certain categories
- Permit fee formula
- Published flat fees, not valuation formula
- Reinspection fee
- After-the-fact fees are published as double the base fee in several categories
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Agricultural uses are broadly exempt from county zoning restrictions
- Storage sheds 144 square feet or less are exempt from the county zoning regulations
Important: Confirm with Planning and Zoning before treating any work as exempt.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
Typical inspection sequence: Application review, then any needed county sanitarian or county engineer approvals, then permit issuance and field follow-up as applicable.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County Permit PDF
- Fee Page
- 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 Wabaunsee County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wabaunsee County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Wabaunsee County, KS?
- County zoning regulations say a permit is required for development and building use in regulated areas.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Wabaunsee County, KS?
- The minimum permit fee is $25 special event permit; building fees start at $100 for certain categories. Fees are calculated as: Published flat fees, not valuation formula.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wabaunsee County, KS?
- 1. Confirm jurisdiction and scope with Planning and Zoning. 2. Complete the county building permit application PDF. 3. Attach site plan, plans, and utility/inspection details if needed. 4. County review is routed through Planning and Zoning. 5. Permit is issued after review and approval.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Wabaunsee County, KS?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural uses are broadly exempt from county zoning restrictions; Storage sheds 144 square feet or less are exempt from the county zoning regulations. Note: Confirm with Planning and Zoning before treating any work as exempt.
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