Bolthole Index

Crawford County, Kansas

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

61Index Score / 100
#16 of 105 in Kansas

Rural unincorporated Crawford County, Kansas requires a county building permit for new construction, additions, manufactured-home foundations, decks, agricultural structures and garages12. The Planning & Zoning office handles applications, while Environmental Health regulates and approves residential and business wastewater disposal in unincorporated areas34. Zoning needs parcel-specific attention because the county office says only part of Crawford County is zoned, although building, wastewater and floodplain requirements extend across all rural unincorporated areas2.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction throughout rural unincorporated Crawford County12
Zoning
Applies in a defined part of the county; confirm the parcel with Planning & Zoning2
Septic and wastewater
Crawford County Environmental Health regulates and approves unincorporated-area systems54
Agricultural buildings
Permit application still applies; qualifying agricultural construction is fee-exempt36
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before relying on either use2
Owner-builder
No county exemption confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning72
Private well
County Environmental Health inspects and samples wells; permit status needs confirmation89

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Crawford County Planning & Zoning

Building and land-development questions, zoning, floodplain questions, manufactured homes and applications for rural unincorporated Crawford County

(620)724-6168

111 East Forest, Suite M, Girard, Kansas

Online permits →

Septic permits

Crawford County Environmental Health

Wastewater disposal approval, environmental complaints, and private-water-well inspection and sampling in Crawford County

(620)724-7088

111 E. Forest Ave., Suite M, Girard, Kansas 66743

Online permits →

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 Crawford County, Kansas?

Yes. Rural unincorporated Crawford County requires a building permit for new construction, additions, single- or double-wide foundations, decks, agricultural structures and garages12. Submit the construction application to Crawford County Planning & Zoning and include a site plan3. Qualifying agricultural construction is not outside the process: the application still applies, although the county claim identifies agricultural construction buildings as fee-exempt3. Agricultural land and buildings used for qualifying agricultural purposes receive broader zoning protection, but floodplain rules and public-road setbacks can still apply, and a switch to nonagricultural use brings the zoning regulations back into play610. Crawford County has not identified an adopted building-code edition or a routine building-inspection schedule in the available county material, so ask Planning & Zoning what plan standards and inspections apply to the specific project2.

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

Crawford County Planning & Zoning is the first stop for a rural building project. The office serves rural unincorporated areas and asks people to contact it about residential, commercial and industrial land development, new houses, agricultural structures, businesses, flood zones and manufactured homes2. Call (620)724-6168 or visit the Crawford County Courthouse at 111 East Forest, Suite M, Girard, Kansas2. Construction applications go to this office and must include a site plan3. For wastewater, use the separate Crawford County Environmental Health office in the same courthouse suite; call (620)724-70888. The county material available here does not confirm a general building inspection schedule, an adopted code edition, an owner-builder exemption or when a certificate of occupancy is required, so put those questions to Planning & Zoning before ordering plans or scheduling contractors72.

Does Crawford County, Kansas have zoning?

Crawford County administers zoning in part of the county, but the Planning & Zoning office expressly says the entire county is not zoned2. The published county regulations include Agricultural, Rural Residential, Suburban Residential and Single Family Residential districts, plus overlay and special districts11. Uses not expressly prohibited or permitted in an established district generally require a conditional-use permit within the zoning jurisdiction12. Lot size, setbacks, building height and similar limits therefore depend on the parcel's applicable local zoning classification rather than a single Kansas-wide figure131415. Ask Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel's district and whether it lies inside the county zoning boundary before treating a proposed home, accessory structure or land use as allowed2. Even outside the zoned area, the office says building permits, wastewater requirements, floodplain development regulations and nuisance rules apply throughout rural unincorporated Crawford County2.

How do septic permits work in Crawford County?

Crawford County Environmental Health regulates and approves residential and business wastewater disposal in unincorporated Crawford County54. The county's permit page provides separate forms for septic tanks and lagoons, while the department can be reached at (620)724-7088 at 111 E. Forest Ave., Suite M, Girard, Kansas 667438. Kansas minimum standards require household wastewater to go to a properly designed septic tank and soil-absorption field, wastewater pond, approved alternative system or permitted treatment plant; seepage pits, cesspools, dry wells and surface discharge are not allowed16. Public sewer availability and county requirements can determine whether a private system may proceed17. Soil is a major diligence item: the soil survey rates 0% of Crawford County land as free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so arrange a parcel-level site evaluation rather than assuming a standard lateral field will work18. The county pages do not clearly state the full permit and inspection sequence; ask Environmental Health before excavation8.

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

Crawford County's available county material does not confirm whether long-term RV living, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy is allowed on private rural land. Ask Crawford County Planning & Zoning about the parcel, proposed duration, utilities and zoning district before buying for one of those uses2. A manufactured home has a clearer path but is still parcel-specific: Kansas law keeps manufactured homes subject to applicable county or city zoning, while preventing a jurisdiction from excluding them from its entire zoning jurisdiction19. Crawford County also requires proof of a manufactured home's age by title before issuing its construction permit3. Wastewater rules apply regardless of the structure's size: domestic wastewater must use an approved system, and prohibited disposal methods do not become legal because a dwelling is small or movable16. Crawford County has not confirmed a minimum dwelling floor area or an accessory-dwelling rule in the available county material; direct both questions to Planning & Zoning2.

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

  1. Call Crawford County Planning & Zoning at (620)724-6168 to confirm whether the parcel is in the county zoning area, identify its district and ask about setbacks, floodplain status, inspections and occupancy approval2.
  2. Discuss the wastewater plan with Crawford County Environmental Health at (620)724-7088 before excavation; the department regulates and approves unincorporated-area wastewater disposal84.
  3. Prepare the construction application and a site plan for Planning & Zoning3.
  4. If placing a manufactured home, provide title evidence of its age with the permit materials3.
  5. If access will connect to a Kansas state highway, obtain the required state highway driveway permit before work in the right-of-way20.
  6. Confirm every required county wastewater or floodplain inspection and ask whether the project needs a certificate of occupancy before moving in28.

What to check before you buy land in Crawford County, Kansas

Start with parcel jurisdiction: Crawford County's office says the whole county is not zoned, while building permits, wastewater requirements, floodplain regulations and nuisance rules cover all rural unincorporated areas2. Ask Planning & Zoning for the district, allowed use, setbacks, access requirements and flood status before closing2. Conventional septic suitability deserves early testing because 0% of county soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field in the soil survey18. Private-well construction may require local or other authorization, and Kansas requires well logs for construction, reconstruction and plugging; Crawford County Environmental Health also inspects and samples private wells98. Most terrain is relatively gentle, with 95.4% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but that does not settle drainage, flood or septic suitability for a particular tract21. For budgeting, the effective property-tax rate is about 1.1%, the median annual bill is around $1,375, farmland averages about $3,097 per acre and the typical home value is about $141,93922232425.

Watch-outs

  • Do not read the existence of Crawford County zoning regulations as proof that every rural parcel is zoned; the county office says the entire county is not zoned, so confirm the boundary and district with Planning & Zoning2.
  • Crawford County still requires building permits for agricultural structures even when qualifying agricultural construction is fee-exempt, and floodplain or public-road setback rules may still apply36.
  • We could not confirm Crawford County's owner-builder exemption, routine building-inspection schedule or certificate-of-occupancy process; ask Planning & Zoning before construction72.

Sources

  1. Construction Application (2026 county census)
  2. Crawford County Planning & Zoning (crawfordcountykansas.org)
  3. Construction Application, quoted and re-checked
  4. Environmental Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. Environmental Health Department (2026 county census)
  6. Article 2 Agricultural District Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. Crawford County Environmental Health (crawfordcountykansas.org)
  9. Water Well County Permits (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. K.S.A. 12-758 — Agricultural land exempted from zoning regulations (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning Regulations - Crawford County, KS, quoted and re-checked
  12. Zoning Regulations - Crawford County, KS, quoted and re-checked
  13. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  19. K.S.A. 75-1218 — Exemption from construction codes; zoning (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  25. Typical home value (Zillow): 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

Crawford County in Kansas

61
County map
Crawford County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score

How Crawford County scores

Seclusion62100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency51100% ev.
Admin Boringness4590% ev.
Durability48100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost75100% 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 →

$142kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$3,097Land / acre
44.9"Annual rain
14.4% of yrsSevere drought
23.7 / yr (+18.1)Mid-century 100°F days
18.5 daysMid-century dry spell
2.3" (+3.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.55×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,062Home insurance / yr
0.9% / yrInsurance growth
1.1%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
13,092People within 30 min
2,438,440People within 2 hr
31,948Radius comparison (15 mi)
65.7People / sq mi
0%Federal land
95.4%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
0 acWorkable land screen
15.4%Wooded land
25.9 tonsBiomass / forest ac
57.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Crawford County

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

Crawford County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction in all rural unincorporated areas of Crawford County.

    • Applications are submitted to the Crawford County Zoning Department.
    • Site plans must accompany the application.
    • Manufactured-home permits require proof of age by title before issuance.
    • Agriculture construction buildings are fee-exempt, but the application form still identifies the construction application process.
    “The following (PDF) documents are permits and applications required by the County:”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning regulations in rural unincorporated Crawford County.

    • The cited regulations are the June 2017 edition shown on the official county zoning page.
    “Therefore, in order to develop any land use other than agricultural and traditional single-family residential in the unincorporated portion of Crawford County, a Conditional Use Permit issued in accordance with these Regulations shall be required.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    County-administered zoning in the unincorporated portion of Crawford County.

    • The county zoning regulations identify AG, RR, SR, and R-1 districts and separate conditional-use rules.
    “It is the intent of this Article to require a Conditional Use Permit for all proposed land uses, except those specifically prohibited herein or allowed as a permitted use in one of the established zoning districts.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts in unincorporated Crawford County.

    • The official zoning page identifies AG Agricultural, RR Rural Residential, SR Suburban Residential, R-1 Single Family Residential, and overlay/special districts in the published articles.
    “Zoning Article 02 - Agricultural District Regulations”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Wastewater disposal, including residential and business wastewater, in unincorporated Crawford County.

    • The county Environmental Health Department is the identified administrator on the official county page.
    “Regulates and approves the disposal of all waste-water, both business and residential, in the unincorporated areas of the county.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Land used for agricultural purposes as defined in the Crawford County AG district regulations.

    • Agricultural land is exempt from restrictions or limitations under the cited AG regulation.
    • New agricultural buildings remain subject to floodplain regulations and setback requirements on agricultural land fronting designated major roads and highways.
    • A change from agricultural to nonagricultural use is subject to the zoning regulations.
    “In this regard, all lands used for agricultural purposes, as defined in these regulations, are and shall be exempt from any and all restrictions or limitations.”

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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas undergoing construction or covered repairs, improvements, or occupancy changes.

    • DCC conducts the building construction inspections for buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.
    • Healthcare and childcare occupancies and Board of Regents capital-improvement projects require joint or additional OSFM inspection as described in the manual.
    • Required code inspections are tied to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
    “The Department of Administration - Office of Facilities Management - Design, Construction & Compliance conducts building construction inspections on buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Building construction inspections for buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.
      “The Department of Administration - Office of Facilities Management - Design, Construction & Compliance conducts building construction inspections on buildings and property owned by the State of Kansas.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Any portion of a State of Kansas-owned building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy, under the Department of Administration DCC process.

    • Form 150 is issued before occupancy of any portion of a building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy.
    • Healthcare and childcare occupancies and Board of Regents capital-improvement projects require OSFM participation in construction inspections before authorization or acceptance of occupancy.
    • The manual states that failure to submit the occupancy request and schedule required inspections results in denial of occupancy.

    certificate form: Form 150 - Certificate of Occupancy

    “Form 150 - Certificate of Occupancy will be issued by DCC prior to occupancy of any portion of a building that has been in construction or has a change in occupancy. For Healthcare and Childcare Occupancies and Capital Improvement Projects for the Board of Regents, OSFM will perform construction inspections prior to authorization/acceptance of occupancy.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • Subdividing landLimited

    Subdivision, resubdivision, or replatting in Kansas areas governed by locally adopted subdivision regulations.

    • A plat must be submitted to the planning commission or joint committee where applicable.
    • A plat must conform to applicable subdivision regulations and receive the required approval.
    • No building or zoning permit may be issued for a lot subdivided, resubdivided, or replatted after adoption of subdivision regulations unless approved under the statutory procedure.
    • Local subdivision regulations may establish reasonable plat-approval fees.
    • The statute does not establish a single statewide subdivision standard for every parcel.

    plat approval deadline: <= 60 days (If the planning commission or joint committee does not determine conformity within 60 days after the first meeting following submission, the plat is deemed approved under subsection (b).)

    “All such plats shall be submitted to the planning commission or to the joint committee for subdivision regulation.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction or alteration of a driveway connecting to the Kansas state highway system.

    • The requirement applies to driveways onto the state highway system.
    • No work may be performed on state highway right-of-way until an approved highway permit agreement is received.
    • Driveways connecting only to local roads are outside the cited rule's stated scope.
    “Individuals desiring to construct or alter a driveway onto the state highway system shall be required to obtain a permit.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Permits, licenses, and other activities under county sanitary codes statewide in Kansas.

    • County commissioners may adopt reasonable fees through sanitary codes.
    • The statute does not establish a single statewide fee amount.

    fee amount: county sanitary code dependent

    “Each sanitary code may provide for permits, licenses and fees.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — KDHE air-quality construction approval applications statewide in Kansas.
      “there is a $750 fee for each construction approval application.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    KDHE air-quality construction permits or approvals for projects whose potential-to-emit increase exceeds applicable regulatory thresholds.

    • A construction permit or approval must be issued before beginning actual construction or modification when the project exceeds the applicable potential-to-emit thresholds.
    • Land may be cleared, contracts made, and equipment purchased and stored before issuance.
    • Foundation work is considered beginning actual construction and must wait until issuance.
    • Equipment whose emissions contribute to the permitting requirement may not be permanently affixed or installed before issuance.
    • Pre-issuance activity is conducted at the owner or operator's financial risk.
    “foundation work is considered to be "beginning actual construction" and must wait until after issuance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Domestic septic tank and lateral-field systems and related onsite wastewater controls in Kansas.
      “Unless otherwise provided by the board of county commissioners, the local health department shall have the authority and responsibility for administering all sanitary codes.”
  • 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 — Owner-builder exemptions from county construction requirements.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling-size requirements in county zoning districts.
  • Living in an RV — Residential or long-term RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated Crawford County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Crawford County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Crawford County.
2 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection

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 Crawford County, Kansas

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

Crawford County scores 61/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 13,092 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Crawford County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Crawford County Environmental Health Department. 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 Crawford County, Kansas?

Land in Crawford County runs about $3,097 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Crawford County?

Crawford County gets about 44.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 14.4% of years.

How remote is Crawford County?

A representative private-land location has about 13,092 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,438,440 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 Crawford County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Crawford compares in Kansas

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