Bolthole Index

Franklin County, Kansas

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

54Index Score / 100
#34 of 105 in Kansas

Unincorporated Franklin County, Kansas requires permits for most proposed buildings, including homes, and the county Building Department enforces its adopted building codes1. The county also administers zoning throughout its unincorporated territory2. Septic permits go through Franklin County Environmental Health, while temporary RV living is limited to construction or rebuilding under specific county conditions34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most proposed buildings in unincorporated Franklin County1
Zoning
Yes; county zoning applies throughout unincorporated territory5
Septic
Permitted by Franklin County Environmental Health3
RV living
Temporary during construction or rebuilding, with a county permit and conditions4
Owner-builder
No general residential owner-builder exemption is published6
Private well
A county water-well construction permit is required before drilling7
Agricultural buildings
Agricultural-use buildings have a conditional Kansas zoning exemption, but road setbacks can still apply8

Who to call

Building permits

Franklin County Planning & Building

Building permits and inspections, zoning, subdivision review, and floodplain administration in unincorporated Franklin County

785.229.3570

1428 S. Main St. Suite 5 Ottawa, KS 66067

Online permits →

Septic permits

Franklin County Environmental Health

Private water-well construction permits and Environmental Health questions; the office also administers county onsite-wastewater permits

785.229.3590

[email protected]

1428 S. Main St. Suite 6 Ottawa, KS 66067

Online permits →

Roads & driveways

Franklin County Public Works

Rural county roads, entrance pipes, culverts and county highway permits

785.229.3550

1428 S. Main St. Suite 5 Ottawa, KS 66067

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 Franklin County, Kansas?

Yes. Unincorporated Franklin County requires permits for most proposed buildings, including residences, and its Building Department enforces adopted building codes1. The county office inspects building construction and structural installations in unincorporated areas9. Small detached nonhabitable structures and agricultural buildings have limited published exemptions, but Franklin County has not published a general owner-builder exemption for a residence6. Kansas also conditionally exempts land and buildings used for agriculture from zoning regulation, but a dwelling, garage or similar accessory building is not an agricultural building, and public-road setbacks may still apply8. Treat the intended use—not the barn-like appearance—as the key question, and confirm the classification with Planning & Building before ordering materials.

Who is the Franklin County building department, and how do you reach it?

Franklin County Planning & Building is the permit office for construction, zoning, subdivision review and floodplain administration in unincorporated Franklin County9. The office is at 1428 S. Main St. Suite 5 Ottawa, KS 66067, and its main number is 785.229.35709. Franklin County requires all permit applications to go through its customer portal, where applicants can submit applications, track progress and access permit information910. The same department administers the National Flood Insurance Program using FEMA flood maps, so ask it whether a proposed building site needs floodplain review before finalizing the site plan9. Incorporated cities have their own jurisdiction; the county office’s stated building and zoning responsibilities concern unincorporated Franklin County9.

Does Franklin County have zoning?

Yes. Franklin County administers zoning regulations and districts throughout its unincorporated territory5. Minimum lot area, setbacks, lot coverage and building height depend on the parcel’s local zoning classification rather than one Kansas-wide number11121314. Planning & Building administers those zoning regulations as well as the county comprehensive plan and subdivision regulations9. Before relying on an online listing’s description of a parcel as unrestricted, ask Planning & Building to identify the zoning district and allowable use for the actual parcel. Agricultural use receives a conditional state-law exemption, but dwellings and garages are excluded from the agricultural-building definition, floodplain rules remain applicable, and road setbacks can still regulate agricultural buildings8.

How do septic permits work in Franklin County?

Franklin County Environmental Health issues onsite-wastewater permits under the county’s adopted Environmental Sanitation Code3. Kansas minimum standards require household wastewater to discharge 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 allowed15. Soil deserves early attention: none of the county’s mapped soils are rated by the USDA survey as free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for site evaluation and the possibility of an alternative design16. Contact Environmental Health at 785.229.3590 or [email protected], at 1428 S. Main St. Suite 6 Ottawa, KS 660677. Private onsite sewerage is appropriate only where public sewers are unavailable and local requirements are met17.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Franklin County?

Franklin County allows a camping trailer, recreational vehicle, mobile home or manufactured home as a temporary residence during construction or rebuilding only when a permanent-residence building permit has issued and the property satisfies the county’s sanitation conditions418. The temporary-use application requires approved sanitation, a $5,000 performance bond and an affidavit to remove the temporary unit within 30 days; a zoning violation can draw a fine of as much as $500 per day4. The published temporary route applies in residential or agricultural zoning districts4. We could not confirm a separate county rule allowing full-time RV occupancy without an active home build, so ask Planning & Building about the parcel and proposed duration. We also could not confirm a general minimum dwelling floor area for a tiny home; zoning district standards and the normal building-permit process still apply21.

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

  1. Confirm that the parcel is outside city limits and ask Planning & Building for its zoning district, permitted use, setbacks and floodplain status95.
  2. Discuss the proposed water supply and septic site with Environmental Health before fixing the house location; county septic permitting and Kansas onsite-wastewater standards both apply319.
  3. Apply for a water-well construction permit before drilling a private supply well7.
  4. Obtain Public Works permission before establishing or reconstructing the property entrance; the owner may do permitted work or pay Public Works to perform it20.
  5. Submit all permit applications through Franklin County’s customer portal109.
  6. Complete required inspections and the safety, sanitation, water-supply and wastewater approvals needed before a new dwelling may be legally occupied21.

What should you check before buying land in Franklin County?

Start with zoning, access and wastewater. Franklin County zoning applies throughout unincorporated territory, while lot size and setbacks depend on the specific zoning district51112. Public Works requires an application for entrance-pipe work on rural county infrastructure, and county permission is required before establishing or reconstructing an entrance2220. A driveway onto the state highway system separately requires a Kansas permit before work begins in the right-of-way23. For water, Franklin County Environmental Health requires a construction permit before a private supply well is drilled7. For wastewater, the soil survey rates none of the county’s soils as free of severe conventional-drain-field limitations, so make the site evaluation part of due diligence16. The county’s effective property-tax rate is about 1.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $2,7372425.

Watch-outs

  • Temporary RV occupancy during a home build requires an issued residence permit, approved sanitation, a $5,000 bond and removal within 30 days; violations can be fined up to $500 per day4.
  • A county-road entrance needs Public Works permission, while a driveway connecting to the state highway system needs a separate Kansas permit2023.
  • No general residential owner-builder exemption is published for Franklin County, so confirm contractor and inspection requirements with Planning & Building before applying6.

Sources

  1. Franklin County - Building Department Requirements and Permits (2026 county census)
  2. Zoning Regulations (2026 county census)
  3. Franklin County - Onsite Wastewater Systems (2026 county census)
  4. Building Department Requirements and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  5. Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  6. Franklin County - Building Department Requirements and Permits (2026 county census)
  7. Franklin County Environmental Health (franklincoks.org)
  8. K.S.A. 12-758 — Agricultural land exempted from zoning regulations (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Franklin County Planning & Building (franklincoks.org)
  10. Planning Department Applications and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  11. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. K.S.A. 12-753 — Zoning regulations; districts; restrictions (Kansas statewide rule), 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. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  17. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Building Department Requirements and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Building Department Requirements and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  21. Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  22. Franklin County Public Works (franklincoks.org)
  23. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. 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

Franklin County in Kansas

54
County map
Franklin County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score

How Franklin County scores

Seclusion37100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency53100% ev.
Admin Boringness43100% ev.
Durability53100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost71100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$268kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$3,444Land / acre
39"Annual rain
10.2% of yrsSevere drought
20.1 / yr (+15)Mid-century 100°F days
20.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.11" (+3%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.58×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,253Home insurance / yr
1% / yrInsurance growth
1.59%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
22,773People within 30 min
3,551,804People within 2 hr
29,679Radius comparison (15 mi)
45.7People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
99.2%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
0 acWorkable land screen
16.8%Wooded land
27.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Franklin County

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

Franklin County rules

  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of a new dwelling in the county building jurisdiction.

    • Safety and sanitation requirements must generally be complete.
    • The page lists wastewater and water-supply approval, smoke detectors, bathroom, kitchen, water heater, exits, guards, electrical approval, and seasonal heating completion among occupancy conditions.
    • A temporary certificate may be obtained in certain cases until final approval.
    “before a dwelling may be legally occupied.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning regulations and districts administered through the unincorporated territory of Franklin County.

    • The cited county zoning statement expressly applies through the unincorporated territory of Franklin County.
    “through-out the unincorporated territory of Franklin County, Kansas.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Franklin County zoning districts and regulations in unincorporated territory.

    • The county publishes or makes available the zoning regulations and zoning district map through the Planning and Building Department.
    “Zoning Districts and Zoning District Map Established”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Temporary residence in a recreational vehicle or camping trailer during construction or rebuilding of a residence.

    • A building permit must have been issued for the permanent residence.
    • Sanitation facilities require County Sanitarian approval.
    • The temporary use must be removed within 30 days; violation may be fined up to $500 per day.
    • The application must include a $5,000 performance bond.
    • A temporary use permit is permitted in residential or agricultural zoning districts.

    removal period: 30 days · maximum zoning-violation fine: 500 USD per day · performance bond: 5000 USD

    “Temporary Use of Camping Trailers, Recreation Vehicles, Mobile Homes”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping-trailer, recreational-vehicle, mobile-home, or manufactured-home residence during construction or rebuilding.

    • Requires a permanent-residence building permit, approved sanitation, a 30-day removal affidavit, and a $5,000 performance bond.
    “Temporary Use of Camping Trailers, Recreation Vehicles, Mobile Homes”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Establishing or reconstructing a property entrance under Franklin County Public Works administration.

    • The owner must obtain Public Works permission before establishing or reconstructing an entrance.
    • The owner may obtain a permit and perform the work or pay Public Works to perform it.
    “permission from the Public Works Department”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County permit applications administered through the Franklin County online permit center.

    • All permit applications must be submitted through the customer portal.
    • Credit-card payments incur a 3.95% processing fee with a $2.50 minimum; cash and check remain accepted in the office.
    • Rezoning applications must be made at least 30 days before a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting.

    rezoning lead time: >= 30 days (before a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting)

    “All permit applications must be submitted through the customer portal”
  • Owner-builder exemptionNot available

    Only small detached structures under 200 sq ft and agricultural buildings are exempt; no general owner-builder exemption for residences is published.

    Franklin County - Building Department Requirements and Permits ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Kansas rules that apply here

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, additions, and covered renovations or occupancy changes on State of Kansas-owned property administered through the Department of Administration's Design, Construction & Compliance process.

    • The code footprint is required for all new construction, additions, and building renovation/remodeling affecting active or passive life-safety systems or changing occupancy on State property.
    • A permit to build is issued as Form 125 Project Acceptance after applicable code footprints and temporary egress plans are accepted by DCC/OSFM and construction documents are accepted by DCC.
    • The source states that projects not on state property should be directed to the local code enforcement office or Kansas Fire Marshal's office.

    permit form: Form 125 - Project Acceptance

    “A permit to build will be granted when the code footprint, if applicable, and temporary egress plans, if applicable have been accepted by DCC / OSFM and construction documents have been accepted by DCC. The permit to build is issued on the Form 125 - Project Acceptance.”
  • 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.”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling-size requirement in unincorporated Franklin County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Franklin County.

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 Franklin County, Kansas

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

Franklin County scores 54/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: sparse surroundings — about 22,773 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Franklin County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Franklin County Environmental Health (under the 2017 Franklin County Environmental Sanitation 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Franklin County is allowed on a temporary basis only: Temporary residence in a recreational vehicle or camping trailer during construction or rebuilding of a residence. A building permit must have been issued for the permanent residence. Sanitation facilities require County Sanitarian approval. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Franklin County, Kansas?

Land in Franklin County runs about $3,444 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Franklin County?

Franklin County gets about 39" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 10.2% of years.

How remote is Franklin County?

A representative private-land location has about 22,773 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,551,804 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 Franklin County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Franklin compares in Kansas

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