Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Big Creek Township, Kansas

Rules another office applies inside Big Creek Township

Big Creek Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building permitRequired

  Erection or alteration of any structure on unincorporated land inside Big Creek township

  • A zoning certificate is a zoning approval, not a building code permit; the county page states it is similar to a building permit.
  • Does not apply to land inside the corporate limits of Hays or other cities.

  “prior to the erection or alteration of any structure, an application for a zoning certificate shall be obtained. a zoning certificate is similar to a building permit.”

• Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Big Creek township: Ellis County zoning regulations apply because no Big Creek township zoning ordinance was found. Land inside the corporate limits of the City of Hays or other cities is excluded.

  • Ellis County administers the zoning regulations through its Division of Environmental Services (Planning and Zoning), 1515 W. 55th St., Hays, KS 67601, 785-628-9449.
  • The regulations on the county site are the September 1, 2006 edition; the county's 2021 zoning article documents exist on the county site and were not checked, so current text may differ.
  • Zoning applies to parcels in the zoning districts shown on the county zoning map; the district a parcel is in determines its rules.
  • Agricultural land of more than three acres under one ownership used only for agriculture may be treated under the agricultural district rules rather than the residential rules.

  “and to all of the unincorporated portion of ellis county, kansas”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater systems on unincorporated land inside Big Creek township

  • Kansas minimum design standards for on-site wastewater systems are referenced on the county page; the county code is the local rule-maker.
  • Land inside city limits is excluded.

  “the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all unincorporated areas located in ellis county.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction or modification of an on-site wastewater system on unincorporated land inside Big Creek township

  • Application goes to the Ellis County Environmental Office, 1515 W. 55th St., Hays, KS 67601.
  • Permit applies before construction and before modification of the system.

  wastewater application fee: 60 USD

  “a permit is required before the construction and/or modification of wastewater systems. wastewater applications are $60 and should be submitted to the environmental office, which is located at: 1515 w. 55th st. hays, ks 67601”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  On-site wastewater systems on unincorporated land inside Big Creek township, at property transfer

  • Inspection is required when property ownership is transferred; the page does not state a routine inspection schedule.
  • Septic tanks must be pumped by a permitted septage hauler with county environmental staff present, per the county page.

  “the ellis county environmental code requires the inspection of the wastewater treatment system when property ownership is transferred within the county’s jurisdiction.”

• Subdividing landLimited

  Agricultural-zoned land inside Big Creek township split into lots without full platting

  • Requires a survey and approval from the county zoning administrator before any land division.
  • Further divisions of both parcels without full platting may be restricted.

  parent property before lot split: >= 40 acres · new lot with public water supply: >= 2 acres (with public water supply) · new lot with private water well: >= 3 acres (with private water well)

  “agricultural zoned land can be split through a survey with these requirements: parent property before lot split contains a minimum of 40 acres new lot created contains a minimum of: 2 acres (with public water supply) 3 acres (with private water well) some restrictions from further division of both properties without full platting may apply”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Regulated (with conditions) — Land divisions and subdivisions in unincorporated Big Creek township

    “the planning and zoning division strives to ensure that the ellis county zoning regulations and subdivision regulations are followed in providing proper land use and development of ellis county properties.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Wastewater (septic) application fee only, for unincorporated land inside Big Creek township

  • Only the wastewater application fee is confirmed; the zoning certificate and building fees were not verified.
  • The county planning page links a fee schedule that was not opened.

  wastewater application fee: 60 USD

  “wastewater applications are $60 and should be submitted to the environmental office”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Big Creek Township or Ellis County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits or licensing in Big Creek township
• Building code adopted — Adoption of a building code for new homes inside Big Creek township
• Inspections — Building inspections for new homes on unincorporated land inside Big Creek township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes on unincorporated land inside Big Creek township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area on unincorporated land inside Big Creek township

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.