Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Medicine Lodge, Kansas

Medicine Lodge’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erection, enlargement, relocation, or remodeling of a building or structure inside Medicine Lodge city limits.

  • The permit must be obtained from the city clerk after approval by the chief building official or authorized assistant.
  • The application and permit must precede commencement of work or removal of a building.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to hereafter erect or cause to be erected within the city any building or structure of any kind or enlarge or add to the outside dimension thereof, or relocate any building or structure already erected or which may hereafter be erected or remodel any building or structure within the city without a building permit being first obtained therefor from the city clerk, after approval by the chief building official or his or her duly authorized assistant.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures inside Medicine Lodge city limits.

  • The adopted code is the International Building Code, 2006 Edition.

  “There is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of buildings and structures, the International Building Code, 2006 Edition”

• InspectionsRequired

  Buildings in erection, construction, alteration, or relocation inside Medicine Lodge city limits.

  • Inspection determines compliance with the permit and City regulations, including zoning regulations.

  “To examine all buildings in the process of erection, construction, alteration or relocation in the city for the purpose of determining whether the work is in compliance with the permit given and in compliance with the regulations of the city pertaining to such work, including zoning regulations; and;”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Medicine Lodge city limits, Barber County, Kansas.

  • The City manages zoning and land-use permits under its local ordinances.

  “The City of Medicine Lodge manages building, zoning, and land use permits to ensure safe development, responsible construction, and compliance with local ordinances.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning jurisdiction of Medicine Lodge city, Kansas.

  • District boundaries are shown on the adopted zoning maps, which are part of the ordinance and are on file with the City Clerk.

  “View the current zoning districts and boundaries within the City of Medicine Lodge.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Dwelling units in the Medicine Lodge zoning jurisdiction.

  • Floor area excludes porches, breezeways, and garages.
  • Every dwelling unit also requires a water closet, a kitchen sink connected to running water and an approved sewer system, and an acceptable exterior wall surface.

  single-family minimum floor area: >= 600 square feet (exclusive of porches, breezeways, and garages)

  “All dwelling units shall provide a minimum floor area, exclusive of porches, breezeways, and garages, as follows:”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Medicine Lodge city limits.

  • The City utility superintendent signs permits; additional requirements may be imposed by the city or county health officer.

  “Before commencing construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the utility superintendent.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Medicine Lodge city limits.

  • Permit is signed by the utility superintendent.
  • Plans, specifications, or other information may be required.
  • A permit and inspection fee under the City fee schedule is due when the application is filed.

  “Before commencing construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the utility superintendent. The application shall be accompanied by any plans, specifications or other information deemed necessary by the utility superintendent.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Medicine Lodge city limits.

  • Applicant must notify the superintendent when work is ready for final inspection or before underground work is covered.
  • Inspection is made within 48 hours after notice.

  inspection timing after notice: <= 48 hours

  “The utility superintendent or his or her authorized representative shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and the applicant shall notify the superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection or before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 48 hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Residences inside Medicine Lodge city limits where a public sanitary sewer is not available under City Code § 15-402.

  • The building sewer must connect to a private sewage disposal system complying with City Code §§ 15-411 through 15-416.
  • A private system requires a City permit and inspection.
  • No subsurface soil absorption system permit may issue on a lot under one acre.

  minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption permit: >= 1 acre

  “Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of section 15-402 the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of sections 15-411 to 15-416.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Houses, buildings, and properties for human occupancy or other listed uses inside Medicine Lodge city limits that abut a street, alley, or right-of-way with a City public sanitary sewer.

  • Connection is required within 90 days after official notice.
  • The public sewer must be within 140 feet of the property line.
  • Owner bears the expense of suitable toilet facilities and direct connection.

  public sewer distance from property line: <= 140 feet · connection deadline after official notice: <= 90 days

  “situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley, or right- of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary sewer of the city, 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”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land located within Medicine Lodge city limits.

  • The adopted regulations also govern certain surrounding area described in the regulations.

  “There are hereby incorporated by reference, as if set out fully herein, certain regulations governing the subdivision of land located within the City of Medicine Lodge, Kansas and certain surrounding area as described therein, as adopted by the governing body of the City of Medicine Lodge, Kansas”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Medicine Lodge or Barber County directly.

• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Medicine Lodge city limits.
• Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Medicine Lodge city limits.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Medicine Lodge city limits.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Medicine Lodge city limits.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Medicine Lodge 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.