Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Humboldt, Kansas

Humboldt’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Humboldt city limits: the city adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance, "Zoning Ordinance for the City of Humboldt, Kansas" (Ord. 1448), incorporated into Code Sec. 16-201.

  • The ordinance text and official zoning map (Ord. 1449, Sec. 16-202) are incorporated by reference; copies are filed with the city clerk. Their district text was not captured in this research.
  • Zoning is subject to the Kansas planning statutes incorporated by Sec. 16-104 (K.S.A. 12-741 et seq.).
  • The opened code pages do not name Allen County; the city's own site gives 725 Bridge St., Humboldt, KS 66748.

  “there is hereby incorporated by reference as if set out fully herein, zoning regulations entitled "zoning ordinance for the city of humboldt, kansas," as adopted by the governing body january 11, 2011 in ord. 1448.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Houses and buildings inside Humboldt city limits that abut a public sanitary sewer of the city. A new home inside city limits must connect to the public sewer when the sewer is within 140 feet of the property line.

  • Connection is required only where the public sanitary sewer is within 140 feet of the property line (Sec. 15-302).
  • Connection is due within 90 days after official notice from the city (Sec. 15-302).
  • A written permit from the city is required before any connection is made (Sec. 15-303), and the application goes to the city clerk for the utility superintendent (Sec. 15-304).
  • The connection is made at the Y branch if one is available at a suitable location (Sec. 15-306); all costs are paid by the owner (Sec. 15-305).
  • Water-service connection rules were not verified in this research; this claim covers sewer only.

  public sewer distance from property line (connection threshold): <= 140 feet (Connection required only where the public sewer is within this distance) · connection deadline after official notice: 90 days · sewer connection permit fee: 20 USD (Payable at the time of applying for the permit (Sec. 15-303(b)))

  “is hereby required at his or her expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so; provided, that said public sewer is within 140 feet of the property line.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land inside Humboldt city limits and the planning jurisdiction designated by the governing body.

  • Subdivision regulations are incorporated into Chapter XVI, Article 4 (Sec. 16-401); the regulation text was not captured.
  • Planning commission power is per Sec. 16-104 and K.S.A. 12-741 et seq.

  “the commission shall also cause to be prepared, adopted and maintained zoning and subdivision regulations on all land within the jurisdiction designated by the governing body.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Sewer connection permit only. Building permit and zoning fees were not found in the opened pages.

  • Fee is payable at the time of making the application (Sec. 15-303(b)).

  sewer connection permit fee: 20 USD (Payable at time of application)

  “there shall be charged a fee of $20, payable at the time of making application for the permit.”

• Permit processPartial

  Sewer connection permit application inside Humboldt city limits; the city also accepts building permit applications at City Hall.

  • Sewer: a written application to the city clerk, with legal description, owner name, kind of property and point of connection (Sec. 15-304(b)).
  • Building permits: the city lists building permit applications among its services; the review steps, forms and timing were not captured. Process is published only in part.

  “any person desiring to make a connection to the city sewer system shall apply in writing to the city clerk who shall forward the application to the utility superintendent.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Humboldt or Allen County directly.

• Building permit — New construction inside Humboldt city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Humboldt city limits
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption inside Humboldt city limits
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Humboldt city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Humboldt city limits

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.