Zoning, building permits and septic rules in St. Francis, Kansas

St. Francis’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, enlarging, relocating or remodeling any building or structure inside St. Francis city limits

  • Permit must be obtained before work begins.
  • Permit is valid for six months unless it provides otherwise; a new permit and fees are needed if work is not finished in time.

  “remodel any building or structure within the city without a building permit being first obtained therefore from the city clerk”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner-performed building work on the owner's own residence intended for personal use and permanent occupancy inside St. Francis city limits

  • Owner must satisfy the building inspector of ability, secure a permit, pay fees, follow the code, and obtain inspection and certificate of approval.
  • Work must be done without compensation and no one may be employed to assist except a builder or building contractor registered with the city.

  “nothing herein contained shall prohibit any property owner from personally performing any building or construction work within and upon his or her own residence and intended for his or her personal use and permanent occupancy”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  New construction, alteration and remodeling inside St. Francis city limits

  • The adopted code is the Uniform Building Code, 1994 edition, not a current model code.
  • The citycode.net copy is labeled 'unofficial draft'; the adopting ordinance and current status were not confirmed.

  “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 uniform building code, 1994 edition as recommended by the international conference of building officials”

• InspectionsLimited

  Owner-performed work on the owner's own residence inside St. Francis city limits

  • Only stated for owner-performed work; no general inspection requirement for all permitted construction was found in the article read.
  • Building inspector has authority to enter premises at reasonable hours (Sec. 4-205).

  “the owner shall satisfy the building inspector as to his or her ability to perform such work, secure a permit, pay required fees, do work in accordance with this article, and apply for an inspection and receive a certificate of approval.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside St. Francis city limits and the surrounding area the subdivision regulations cover

  • The citycode.net copy is labeled 'unofficial draft' and its 'prepared by' line is blank; the adopted subdivision regulations document was not opened.
  • Coverage extends to certain surrounding area described in the regulations, not only city limits.

  “there are hereby incorporated by reference, as if set out fully herein, certain regulations governing the subdivision of land located within the city of st. francis, kansas”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit fees for construction, alteration or relocation inside St. Francis city limits

  • Fee is the estimated cost rate, with a $5.00 minimum in any case.
  • No fee is required when the estimated cost does not exceed $200.
  • Above $20,000 the code adds $.50 per $1,000 up to $100,000 and $.25 per $1,000 above $100,000 (Sec. 4-211).

  building permit fee rate, up to $20,000 estimated cost: 0.75 USD per $1,000 of estimated cost (plus $.50 per $1,000 from $20,000 to $100,000 and $.25 per $1,000 above $100,000; minimum $5.00)

  “for a permit for the construction or alteration of a building or structure, the fee shall be at the rate of $.75 per $1,000 of the estimated cost up to $20,000”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permit application inside St. Francis city limits

  • Application goes to the city clerk on the city's form and is approved by the chief building official before work begins (Sec. 4-207).
  • Permit is valid for six months unless it provides otherwise (Sec. 4-208(d)).

  “a building permit shall be issued upon an application in writing to the office of city clerk on a form or forms provided for the purpose”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask St. Francis or Cheyenne County directly.

• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy approval for new homes inside St. Francis city limits
• Local zoning — Land inside St. Francis city limits (Cheyenne County, Kansas)
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and schedule for St. Francis city
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwelling minimum floor area inside St. Francis city limits
• Minimum lot size — Single-family residential district lot size inside St. Francis 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.