Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Coldwater, Kansas

Coldwater’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Coldwater city limits (Comanche County, KS)

  • The zoning regulations are incorporated by reference; the regulations' own text (districts, dimensional limits) was not opened.

  zoning ordinances: 626, 2002-2, 2004-10, 2007-7, 2015-6

  “there are hereby incorporated by reference as if set out fully herein, the zoning regulations adopted by the governing body of the city of coldwater, kansas, as prepared by the city and consisting of ordinance nos. 626, 2002-2, 2004-10, 2007-7, and 2015-6 and entitled, "zoning regulations of the city of coldwater, kansas."”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private sewage disposal (privy, septic tank, cesspool) inside Coldwater city

  • Generally unlawful except as provided in the article
  • Exception by city council on application, notice and hearing under unusual circumstances
  • Private system allowed where public sewer is not available, must follow KDHE recommendations
  • No permit for subsurface soil absorption system on lots under one acre (43,560 sq ft)
  • Must connect to public sewer and abandon septic when sewer becomes available

  minimum lot for subsurface absorption system: >= 43560 square feet (city council exception possible under unusual circumstances)

  “except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage. however, an exception may be made upon application, notice, hearing, and decision of the city council of the city under unusual circumstances”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Buildings used for human occupancy inside Coldwater city abutting a street, alley or right-of-way with a public sanitary sewer

  • Connection due within 90 days after official notice
  • Applies only if the public sewer is within 100 feet of the property line
  • Owner pays at own expense
  • Where sewer is not available, a private sewage disposal system complying with the article is allowed
  • Water connection rule not found

  distance to public sewer: <= 100 feet · connection deadline after notice: 90 days

  “is hereby required at his 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 resolution, within ninety (90) days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within one hundred (100) feet of the property line.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Inside Coldwater city
• Owner-builder exemption — Inside Coldwater city
• Building code adopted — Inside Coldwater city
• Inspections — Inside Coldwater city
• Certificate of occupancy — Inside Coldwater city

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.