Bolthole Index

Coffey County, Kansas

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Coffey County, Kansas

64Index Score / 100
#6 of 105 in Kansas

Unincorporated Coffey County, Kansas requires a zoning certificate before covered construction, structural changes, land improvements, moves, or changes of use, but the county materials do not confirm a general building-code permit12. Coffey County also has county zoning and a county-run private wastewater permitting program34. Start with Planning & Zoning before designing the site, then contact Environmental Health about septic suitability56.

At a glance

Building permit
A zoning certificate is required for covered work; a general building-code permit is not confirmed12
Zoning
Coffey County is zoned and requires zoning permits and special applications35
Septic permits
Handled by Coffey County Environmental Health under the county Sanitary Code46
RV or tiny home
Long-term occupancy rules are not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning for the parcel's district rules3
Owner-builder
No owner-builder exemption is confirmed7
Minimum home size
No countywide figure is confirmed; dimensional rules depend on the local zoning district89
Driveway access
County-road entrances need Highway Department permission; state-highway driveways need a state permit1011
Septic soil difficulty
Only 0.1% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field12

Who to call

Building permits

Coffey County Planning & Zoning

Zoning certificates, special applications, subdivision questions, zoning maps, and occupancy certificates

620-364-5792

110 S 6th Street, Room 5, Burlington, KS 66839

Online permits →

Septic permits

Coffey County Environmental Health Services

Private wastewater siting, construction standards inspections, system permits, and private water-well screening

620-364-8631

110 S 6th Street, Room 4, Burlington, KS 66839

Roads & driveways

Coffey County Highway Department

Entrance and driveway authorizations, utility construction, and other county-road right-of-way permits

620-364-2441

1510 S 6th Street, County Engineer's Office, Burlington, KS 66839

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Coffey County, Kansas?

Unincorporated Coffey County requires a zoning certificate before covered construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, land improvement, or a change in the use of land or a structure1. The published county process establishes a zoning permit, not a confirmed general building-code permit12. Planning & Zoning says zoning permits and special applications are required5. A scaled plot plan must show the lot, structure location, setbacks, access, driveways, parking or service areas, and utility connections13. After covered work is complete, notify the Zoning Administrator for a field inspection and an occupancy certificate1415. Coffey County requires payment of the zoning-certificate and occupancy-certificate fee with the application, but the published amount is not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning for the current schedule165.

Who handles Coffey County building permits, and how do you reach them?

Coffey County Planning & Zoning is the first office for construction on unincorporated land because it administers zoning certificates, special applications, and the county's zoning and subdivision regulations53. The office is at 110 S 6th Street, Room 5, Burlington, KS 66839, and its phone number is 620-364-57925. The county materials do not confirm a separate general building-code inspection department for an ordinary home2. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application, and the published process calls for approval or disapproval within 10 days unless the applicant agrees to more time13. Once the covered work or use is ready, the applicant notifies the Zoning Administrator for the field inspection and occupancy decision1415. Ask the office which district covers the parcel and which forms apply before ordering plans5.

Does Coffey County have zoning?

Yes. Coffey County is a zoned county with zoning and subdivision regulations, and Planning & Zoning says zoning permits and special applications are required35. Local zoning classifications can control lot dimensions, setbacks, lot coverage, building height, and allowed land uses, so the parcel's district matters more than a statewide rule817189. Kansas provides a conditional agricultural exemption while land and buildings are used only for agricultural purposes, but dwellings and garages are not agricultural buildings and public-road setbacks can still apply19. Coffey County also regulates subdivision of land in the unincorporated county, with possible city-area exceptions20. Confirm the zoning map, permitted use, setbacks, and plat status with Planning & Zoning before treating a rural parcel as buildable5.

How do septic permits work in Coffey County?

Coffey County Environmental Health administers the county Sanitary Code and handles private wastewater permitting, system siting, soil profiles, and construction-standard inspections46. The office is at 110 S 6th Street, Room 4, Burlington, KS 66839, and its phone number is 620-364-86316. The county publishes a $125 operational permit fee, a $100 lagoon inspection fee, and a $135 septic or alternative-system inspection fee; the last fee includes inspection of an onsite private water well16. Site evaluation should come early because only 0.1% of Coffey County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field12. Kansas requires an approved onsite system where public sewers are unavailable, prohibits seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells, and does not allow a private system to discharge at the surface2122.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Coffey County?

Coffey County's published materials do not confirm a county rule that specifically allows or prohibits long-term RV occupancy on private land3. The county materials also do not confirm a rule specifically addressing tiny-home occupancy or a countywide minimum dwelling floor area3. Those gaps do not mean the uses are unrestricted: Coffey County has zoning, and local districts can regulate land use, yards, lot dimensions, coverage, and building height323. Manufactured homes remain subject to applicable county and city zoning rules in Kansas24. Before buying for an RV, tiny home, or manufactured home, give Planning & Zoning the parcel number and describe the intended occupancy, utilities, wastewater system, and structure type so the office can identify the applicable district and approval path54.

Building a home in Coffey County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Coffey County Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's district, setbacks, allowed residential use, and plat status53.
  1. Arrange an early wastewater site evaluation with Environmental Health because only 0.1% of county soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field612.
  1. Prepare the zoning-certificate application and scaled plot plan showing structures, setbacks, access, driveways, service areas, and utilities13.
  1. Pay the applicable zoning and occupancy fee and obtain zoning approval before covered work starts116.
  1. Obtain the private wastewater approvals and inspections required by Environmental Health46.
  1. Get Highway Department permission for a county-road entrance, or a state permit for a driveway onto the state highway system1011.
  1. Notify the Zoning Administrator when construction is complete so the county can inspect and issue the occupancy certificate1415.

What should you check before buying land in Coffey County?

Start with zoning and septic feasibility: Coffey County is zoned, while only 0.1% of its soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field312. The terrain itself is gentle, with 100% of land at a 15% slope or less, but annual precipitation is about 38.8 inches and severe drought appears in 16.1% of years252627. Confirm legal road access because county-road entrances require Highway Department permission and state-highway driveways require a state permit1011. Ask Planning & Zoning whether the parcel lies in a regulated floodplain because a Coffey County floodplain administrator and county-specific permit path could not be confirmed528. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.2%, with a median annual bill near $1,6182930.

Watch-outs

  • A Coffey County zoning certificate is not the same thing as a confirmed general building-code permit; ask Planning & Zoning which approvals apply to the specific project15.
  • A county-road driveway needs Highway Department permission, while an entrance onto the state highway system follows the state permit process1011.
  • Coffey County RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, owner-builder exemptions, private-well permits, and the county floodplain permit contact remain unconfirmed; ask Planning & Zoning and Environmental Health before relying on any of them756.

Sources

  1. Filing for a Zoning Permit and Occupancy Certificate, quoted and re-checked
  2. Filing for a Zoning Permit and Occupancy Certificate (2026 county census)
  3. Coffey County Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  4. Coffey County Wastewater Information (2026 county census)
  5. Coffey County Planning & Zoning (coffeycountyks.org)
  6. Coffey County Environmental Health Services (coffeycountyks.org)
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Highway Department, quoted and re-checked
  11. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  13. Filing for a Zoning Permit and Occupancy Certificate, quoted and re-checked
  14. Filing for a Zoning Permit and Occupancy Certificate, quoted and re-checked
  15. Filing for a Zoning Permit and Occupancy Certificate, quoted and re-checked
  16. Wastewater Information, quoted and re-checked
  17. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. K.S.A. 12-758 — Agricultural land exempted from zoning regulations (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Subdivision Regulations of Coffey County, Kansas, quoted and re-checked
  21. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. 2026 Kansas Statutes, K.S.A. 12-753: Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. K.S.A. 75-1218 — Exemption from construction codes; zoning (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Model Floodplain Management Ordinance (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Coffey County in Kansas

64
County map
Coffey County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score

How Coffey County scores

Seclusion69100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency52100% ev.
Admin Boringness5790% ev.
Durability41100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost74100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$198kTypical home
1.2%Property tax
$2,681Land / acre
38.8"Annual rain
16.1% of yrsSevere drought
18.2 / yr (+13.4)Mid-century 100°F days
23.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.18" (+2.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.53×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,233Home insurance / yr
3% / yrInsurance growth
0.93%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
5,927People within 30 min
2,831,015People within 2 hr
7,977Radius comparison (15 mi)
13.2People / sq mi
4.9%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
0.1%Septic soil without severe limits
551 acWorkable land screen
12.9%Wooded land
54.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.8°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Coffey County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Coffey County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, land improvement, or change of use subject to Coffey County zoning.

    • The source establishes a county zoning permit, not adoption of a general building-code permit.
    • The application must be approved by the Zoning Administrator when required.
    • A plot plan is required before issuance.
    • Payment of the zoning-permit and occupancy-certificate fee is required at application.
    “Prior to the construction, reconstruction, moving or structural alteration of any structure, or the improvement of land prior to its use, or the use of any land or structure being changed to any other use, an application for a Zoning Certificate must be completed, when required and approved by the Zoning Administrator.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    County zoning field inspection after completion of construction, moving, or change of use.

    • The source describes a field inspection for issuance of an Occupancy Certificate, not a complete building-code inspection program.
    “Upon the completion of construction or moving or a change in the use of a structure or land, the Applicant shall notify the Zoning Administrator so that a field inspection can be made and a Certificate of Occupancy issued.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Completion of construction, moving, or change in use subject to the county zoning-permit process.

    • The applicant must notify the Zoning Administrator when the structure or premises is ready.
    • A field inspection is made before issuance.
    • The certificate or written denial is to be issued within 10 days after notification of readiness.

    decision period: 10 days (after the Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use)

    “A certificate shall be issued, or written notice shall be given to the Applicant stating the reasons why a certificate cannot be issued within 10 days after the Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in the unincorporated area of Coffey County, subject to specified city-area exceptions.

    • The regulations were adopted under K.S.A. 12-741 et seq.
    • They are effective August 18, 2016.
    • Certain areas around specified cities may be subject to city extraterritorial subdivision regulations when statutory criteria are met.

    effective date: 2016-08-18

    “That Subdivision Regulations are hereby approved and adopted pursuant to K.S.A., 12-741, et seq., as amended, which govern the subdivision of land in the unincorporated area of Coffey County, Kansas, except for certain areas not exceeding three miles around the certain cities as described therein which permit such cities to adopt extraterritorial subdivision regulations when certain criteria are met.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Entrance or driveway construction and utility construction affecting county roads or rights-of-way.

    • Permits or permission are required from the Coffey County Highway Department.
    “Permits/permission is required for entrance/driveway construction, and utility construction”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    County zoning, occupancy, and wastewater permits and inspections.

    • The zoning form requires payment at application and directs applicants to the Zoning Administrator for the fee schedule.
    • The wastewater page publishes a $125 operational permit fee, $100 lagoon inspection fee, and $135 septic/alternative-system inspection fee.
    • The $135 inspection fee includes inspection of an on-site private water well.

    wastewater operational permit fee: 125 USD · lagoon inspection fee: 100 USD · septic or alternative-system inspection fee: 135 USD (includes inspection of on-site private water well)

    “Payment of the Zoning Certificate and Certificate of Occupancy fee is required at the time of application”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Coffey County zoning permit and occupancy-certificate application process.

    • A scaled plot plan must show lot dimensions, structure location, setbacks, access, driveways, parking, loading/service areas, and utility connections.
    • A recorded plat or drawing may be required unless the lot is exempted from platting.
    • The zoning permit is approved or disapproved within 10 days, unless a longer period is agreed.
    • A permit becomes void after 180 days unless qualifying work or use commences; abandonment or suspension for 180 days requires a new permit.
    • The applicant must notify the Zoning Administrator after completion for field inspection and occupancy certification.
    • Appeals to the Board of Zoning Appeals must be made within 30 days after the decision.

    zoning permit decision period: 10 days (unless a longer period is agreed with the applicant) · permit validity commencement period: 180 days (construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, or use must commence) · appeal period: 30 days (after the Zoning Administrator decision)

    “A Zoning Certificate shall be either approved or disapproved by the Zoning Administrator within 10 days after the receipt of an application thereof or within such further period as may be agreed to by the Applicant.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Coffey County is a zoned county with adopted zoning and subdivision regulations (2026 edition), enforced by the county Zoning Administrator.

    Coffey County Planning & Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Kansas rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Statewide Kansas building-energy-code and state fire-prevention-code framework, including new commercial and industrial structures and specified classes of new construction, additions, and occupancy changes.

    • Kansas is a home rule state and local jurisdictions retain responsibility and authority for adoption and enforcement of building energy codes.
    • The statewide IECC 2006 standard applies to new commercial and industrial structures.
    • The state corporation commission has no authority to adopt or enforce energy-efficiency standards for residential, commercial, or industrial structures.
    • Cities and counties may adopt or enforce energy-efficiency standards within their jurisdictions.
    • Kansas State Fire Marshal review for the Kansas Fire Prevention Code applies to the building and occupancy categories listed on the official plans-review page, including large assembly, specified educational and institutional occupancies, and specified residential occupancies.
    • For new homes, the state requires homebuilders and realtors to disclose certain energy-efficiency information using the Kansas Energy Efficiency Disclosure form.

    state energy-efficiency code: 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC 2006) (Applicable state standard for new commercial and industrial structures) · state fire-prevention building code: 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC) (Projects reviewed for compliance with the Kansas Fire Prevention Code; applicability depends on the project and occupancy categories stated by the State Fire Marshal)

    “Because Kansas is a home rule state, the responsibility for adoption and enforcement of building energy codes lies with local jurisdictions.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Kansas statewide building-code adoption authority as specifically addressed by the state energy-efficiency statute.
      “The International Energy Conservation Code 2006 (IECC 2006) is hereby adopted as the applicable energy efficiency standard for new commercial and industrial structures in this state.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Kansas cities and counties that adopt zoning regulations under K.S.A. 12-753

    • The statute authorizes, but does not require, each city or county to adopt zoning regulations.
    • A governing body may divide territory into districts of different number, shape, area, and classes according to land and building use and intensity.
    • Adopted regulations may regulate building height, stories, size, lot coverage, yards, open space, population density, land uses, natural-resource conservation, floodplain land, and setbacks from streets or highways.
    • District boundaries must be defined in the regulations or by an incorporated official map.
    • County zoning maps must be marked as the official copy incorporated by board-of-county-commissioners resolution and filed with the county clerk or another designated public office.
    • City zoning maps must be marked as the official copy incorporated by governing-body ordinance and filed with the city clerk or another designated public office.
    • The regulations and accompanying maps are public records.
    • The section became effective on and after January 1, 1992.

    effective date: 1992-01-01

    “The governing body may divide the territory subject to its jurisdiction into districts of such number, shape, area and of such different classes”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Kansas statutory framework governing zoning districts adopted by cities and counties; this does not publish the actual district maps or classifications for each local jurisdiction.
      “The governing body may divide the territory subject to its jurisdiction into districts of such number, shape, area and of such different classes”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Kansas county zoning regulations for unincorporated urban areas and municipal zoning regulations adopted under Kansas planning and zoning statutes.

    • Actual minimum dimensions or area are set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
    • County urban-area regulations must be uniform within each zoning classification, but may differ between classifications.
    • No statewide numeric minimum lot area was identified.

    minimum lot dimensions or area: local zoning classification

    “the density of population, including minimum width, depth and area of lots”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building setbacks and yard or open-space requirements established by applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.

    • Actual setback distances are determined by the applicable local zoning classification or applicable highway/street setback resolution.
    • Agricultural buildings may still be regulated for setbacks from public roads under K.S.A. 19-2960.
    • No statewide numeric setback distance was identified.

    yard, court, open-space, or street/highway setback: local regulation

    “the size of yards, courts and other open spaces”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Percentage of a lot that may be occupied under applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.

    • Actual lot-coverage percentage is set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
    • No statewide numeric lot-coverage percentage was identified.

    maximum percentage of lot occupied: local zoning classification percent

    “the percentage of lots that may be occupied”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Building height and number-of-stories restrictions established by applicable Kansas municipal or county zoning regulations.

    • Actual height or story limits are set by the applicable local zoning classification, if adopted.
    • No statewide numeric building-height limit was identified.

    maximum building height or stories: local zoning classification

    “restrict and regulate the height, number of stories and size of buildings”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement and residential occupancy of manufactured homes in Kansas jurisdictions with applicable county or city zoning regulations.

    • Manufactured homes remain subject to applicable county and city zoning regulations.
    • A governing body may not exclude manufactured homes from its entire zoning jurisdiction.
    • A governing body may not exclude residential-design manufactured homes from single-family residential districts solely because they are manufactured homes.
    • Architectural or aesthetic standards compatible with site-built housing may still apply.
    • Valid restrictive covenants running with the land are not preempted.
    • The source states the zoning provision became effective January 1, 1992.
    “All mobile homes shall be subject to zoning regulations of counties and cities applicable to areas in which such homes are located.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Domestic onsite wastewater systems statewide in Kansas, including septic tanks, soil absorption fields, lagoons, and approved alternative systems.

    • KDHE establishes statewide minimum standards under K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 and Bulletin 4-2.
    • Local governments may adopt stricter sanitary or environmental codes, approve plans, issue construction and operating permits, and grant variances.
    • Sanitary codes are usually administered through county health departments.
    • Where no local code exists, landowners must comply with K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 and the statewide minimum standards.
    “Local governments have the authority to adopt minimum requirements (codes) for onsite wastewater management systems, to approve individual plans, to issue permits for construction, to issue permits for operation, and to grant variances. County sanitary (environmental) codes specify local design and permitting requirements. [...] If there is no local code, landowners are required to comply with Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) 28-5-6 to 9 and minimum standards in this bulletin.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Private onsite wastewater systems throughout Kansas, where permit requirements depend on applicable county or other local sanitary/environmental codes.

    • Local governments may adopt codes and issue construction and operating permits.
    • County sanitary or environmental codes specify local design and permitting requirements.
    • If there is no local code, landowners must comply with K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 and KDHE Bulletin 4-2.
    • All septic tanks installed in Kansas must comply with KDHE Bulletin 4-2.
    • The cited state materials do not establish a single construction- and operating-permit requirement applicable statewide.

    applicable state regulations without local code: K.A.R. 28-5-6 to 9 · state minimum standard: KDHE Bulletin 4-2

    “County sanitary (environmental) codes specify local design and permitting requirements. [...] If there is no local code, landowners are required to comply with Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) 28-5-6 to 9 and minimum standards in this bulletin.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Domestic wastewater disposal without a public sewer connection, using an approved septic system, lagoon, or alternative onsite system.

    • Domestic wastewater must be discharged to an approved sewage collection system, approved lagoon, septic system, alternative system, or permitted sewage treatment plant.
    • Private sewerage facilities are conditioned on public sewers not being available and on compliance with local requirements.
    • Seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells (rat holes) are not permitted.
    • No private onsite wastewater system may have a surface discharge.
    • Alternative systems may require a local variance; where there is no local code, KDHE may grant a variance.
    “Wastewater from a home shall be discharged to a properly designed and maintained septic tank–soil absorption field or wastewater pond, an approved alternative treatment and disposal system, or a permitted sewage treatment plant. Seepage pits, cesspools, and dry wells (rat holes) are not permitted. [...] No private onsite wastewater system shall have a surface discharge.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-well construction, reconstruction, and plugging in Kansas, including county and city permitting requirements where applicable.

    • Many counties require water-well permits, and some cities do as well; the KDHE page reports that 68 counties had responded to its January 2026 poll.
    • A well may also need a Division of Water Resources permit, Class V Authorization, Public Water Supplies permit, or another authorization depending on the well.
    • Kansas requires well logs for all water-well construction, reconstruction, and plugging statewide.
    “Many counties in Kansas require a permit for water wells. Even some cities have permitting requirements. Please look below to see if you need a permit for your well. 68 counties have responded so far, counties not shown below did not respond to our poll. The poll was sent in January of 2026, and will be updated annually.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Private onsite sewerage facilities serving domestic wastewater in Kansas.

    • A private sewerage facility may proceed only when public sewers are not available and all applicable local requirements are met.
    • The source does not establish a statewide requirement to connect to public water service.
    “Proceed with any private sewerage facility only when public sewers are not available and all applicable local requirements are met.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Use of land for agricultural purposes and erection or maintenance of agricultural buildings under city or county zoning regulations adopted under Kansas planning and zoning statutes.

    • The exemption applies only while the land and buildings are used for agricultural purposes and not otherwise.
    • The exemption does not apply to flood-plain regulations in designated flood plains.
    • Under K.S.A. 19-2960, dwellings, garages, and other similar accessory buildings are not agricultural buildings.
    • Under K.S.A. 19-2960, all buildings, including agricultural buildings, may be regulated for setbacks from public roads.
    • K.S.A. 12-758 applies to regulations adopted by a city pursuant to K.S.A. 12-715b or by a county pursuant to the planning and zoning act.

    agricultural-use condition: land and buildings must be used for agricultural purposes and not otherwise (Flood-plain regulations remain applicable.) · public-road setback exception: permitted (Agricultural buildings may be regulated as to setbacks from public roads under K.S.A. 19-2960.)

    “regulations adopted by a city pursuant to K.S.A. 12-715b, and amendments thereto, or a county pursuant to this act shall not apply”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Statewide Kansas framework governing locally adopted floodplain zones, districts, and floodplain development regulations

    • A local governing body may establish floodplain zones and districts; the statute does not itself impose one uniform permit requirement on every development statewide.
    • Any floodplain regulations must comply with the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and rules adopted under it.
    • Before adoption, a local ordinance, resolution, regulation, or plan creating or changing a floodplain zone or district, or regulating structures, encroachments, or land uses in the area, must be submitted to the chief engineer of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources.
    • The chief engineer may require complete maps, plans, profiles, specifications, and textual matter; approval or disapproval is due within 90 days after receipt of all required data, and failure to act within that period results in deemed approval.
    • Under K.A.R. 5-44-4, local floodplain zoning regulations must identify flood hazard areas by a specific map, meet or exceed federal minimum requirements, meet or exceed applicable chief-engineer requirements, and designate a local floodplain administrator responsible for reviewing and issuing floodplain development permits.
    • K.A.R. 5-44-1 states that its definitions apply in administering K.S.A. 12-766; its listed effective dates are January 1, 1992 and February 17, 1992.

    chief engineer review period: 90 days (After receipt of all data required by the chief engineer; failure to approve or disapprove within the period results in deemed approval.) · flood threshold referenced by K.S.A. 12-766: 1% annual chance (The governing body may restrict application to lands adjacent to watercourses subject to floods of a lesser magnitude than that having a one-percent chance occurrence in any one year.)

    “The governing body may establish flood plain zones and districts and restrict the use of land therein”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Development in special flood hazard areas under Kansas local floodplain-management ordinances based on the Kansas Department of Agriculture model ordinance.
      “In all areas covered by this ordinance, no development shall be permitted except through the issuance of a floodplain development permit”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals and vacation units or properties regulated by a Kansas municipality during the temporary statutory period from May 15, 2026 through July 25, 2026.

    • The temporary rule applied from May 15, 2026 through July 25, 2026.
    • No municipality could limit the number of permits or other municipal authorizations or limit rental duration during that period.
    • Completed authorization applications had to receive a response within 15 calendar days.
    • If the municipality failed to process and respond within 15 calendar days, the application was deemed approved and no additional municipal regulation or code requirement could be imposed as a condition of approval.
    • The definition excluded a permanent guest or a person occupying under a contract intended for long-term or permanent occupancy for more than 28 consecutive days within the period.

    application response deadline: 15 calendar days (completed municipal authorization applications during the statutory period)

    “During such period, all completed applications to a municipality [...] shall be processed by the municipality [...] within 15 calendar days.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Kansas counties adopting zoning regulations for all or any portion of unincorporated county territory.

    • The authority is exercised by the board of county commissioners through resolution and under the applicable planning-and-zoning act.
    • Permissible subjects include building height, number of stories, building size, lot coverage, yards and open spaces, population density including minimum lot dimensions, building and land uses, and floodplain land use.
    • County zoning jurisdiction may cover all or any portion of the unincorporated area; incorporated municipalities have separate statutory zoning jurisdiction.
    “The board of county commissioners, by resolution, may provide for the adoption or amendment of zoning regulations for the unincorporated portion of the county in the manner, and for the purposes, provided by this act.”
  • county building authorityLimited

    Kansas counties' authority to require building permits and regulate construction in unincorporated areas through subdivision regulations

    • The county must first adopt a comprehensive plan before adopting subdivision regulations under K.S.A. 19-2961.
    • The permit procedures apply to lots divided, subdivided, resubdivided, or replatted within an area governed by the county's subdivision regulations.
    • No building authorization may be granted for a structure on a lot subdivided, resubdivided, or replatted after adoption of the regulations unless the statutory approval process is followed.
    • Regulations must provide a building-permit procedure for lots divided into not more than two tracts without replatting, unless otherwise provided.
    • Permit procedures must account for zoning regulations, adequate street rights-of-way, easements, and improvement of public facilities, and specify a decision time limit.
    • The statute permits the final permit decision to be made by the county commission, subject to other law.

    maximum tracts for permit without replatting: <= 2 tracts (unless otherwise provided by the county regulations)

    “Any regulations adopted by the board of county commissioners with reference to subdividing lots shall provide for the issuance of building permits”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Kansas counties adopting and enforcing building codes in unincorporated portions of the county.
      “Any part of a code adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section may be made applicable, by resolution, either to all unincorporated portions of the county or to any area of the county outside of but within three (3) miles of the nearest point of the corporate limits of any city.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Possible exemption from county construction or zoning permits for an owner-builder.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area in county zoning districts.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy on private land.

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.

Living off-grid in Coffey County, Kansas

Is Coffey County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Coffey County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 5,927 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: elevated mid-century heat, water, rain, or wildfire exposure.

Do you need a building permit in Coffey County, Kansas?

Coffey County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Coffey County Health Department (Environmental Health Officer / county Sanitary Code). These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Coffey County, Kansas?

Land in Coffey County runs about $2,681 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Coffey County?

Coffey County gets about 38.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 16.1% of years.

How remote is Coffey County?

A representative private-land location has about 5,927 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,831,015 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Coffey County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Coffey compares in Kansas

Compare side-by-side →See all 105 Kansas counties ranked →