Bolthole Index

Johnson County, Kansas

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park, Kansas, in Johnson County, zones every parcel inside city limits under its own Unified Development Ordinance12. The city's Building Codes Division reviews plans for construction that needs a building permit3. Septic permits are a Johnson County matter, not a city one4.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, city-run Unified Development Ordinance covering all land in the city1
Building permits
Issued by the city, not Johnson County; plans reviewed by the city Building Codes Division3
Residential code
2024 International Residential Code, with the 2018 edition kept for some new single-family homes5
Minimum lot (R-1)
8,000 square feet and 70 feet wide6
Minimum lot (A agricultural)
20 acres per dwelling, 300 feet wide7
Septic
Johnson County Environmental Department where no public sewer serves the property4
RV and tiny homes
Not confirmed; ask Planning and Development Services2

Who to call

Building permits

Overland Park Building Codes Division

Plan review for commercial and residential construction that needs a building permit inside Overland Park city limits

913-895-6225

8500 Santa Fe Drive Overland Park, KS 66212

Zoning

Overland Park Planning and Development Services

Zoning verification and zoning questions for parcels inside Overland Park city limits

913-895-6217

8500 Santa Fe Drive Overland Park, KS 66212

Roads & driveways

Overland Park Public Works

Right-of-way work permits for sidewalk or driveway work between the property line and the curb

913-895-5184

Septic permits

Johnson County Environmental Division (Department of Health and Environment)

Septic (on-site sewage) system permits and inspections, and licensing of installers and pumpers, in Johnson County

913-715-6900

11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite #2700, Olathe, KS 66061

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Overland Park, Kansas have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Overland Park adopts its own zoning in the Unified Development Ordinance, and the city says it has planned zoning for all land inside city limits12. Districts include A (agricultural), RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, commercial, business park, industrial and a mobile home park district8.

Dimensions depend on the district. In R-1 single-family residential, a lot needs at least 8,000 square feet per dwelling and 70 feet of width6. R-1 yards are at least 20 feet in front (30 feet where the plat was approved before January 1, 2010), 7 feet on a side and 25 feet in back9. In the A agricultural district, each dwelling needs 20 acres and a lot 300 feet wide7, with yards of 50 feet in front, 25 feet on each side and 75 feet in back10.

Height limits are 35 feet for a residence in both districts1112. To confirm the zoning on a specific parcel, ask Planning and Development Services2.

Do you need a building permit in Overland Park, and who issues it?

The City of Overland Park, not Johnson County, handles building permits inside city limits. The city's Building Codes Division reviews plans for commercial and residential construction that needs a building permit3. The county's own building permit rules cover only unincorporated land, and the county states that every city in Johnson County has enacted its own building codes13.

The city adopted the 2024 International Residential Code as its residential code, with changes written into the city code. Chapter 16.110 keeps the 2018 edition for certain new single-family homes on their own lot5.

Some small projects need no building permit. An accessory structure such as a garage, shed, carport or gazebo of 200 square feet or less does not14. We could not confirm the city's full list of when a building permit is required for a new house, so call the Building Codes Division before you design anything3.

How do septic permits work inside Overland Park?

Septic permits for Johnson County, including addresses in its cities, come from the county, not from Overland Park's building office. The county's Residential On-Site Program issues permits for private sewage treatment systems where owners are not served by a public wastewater collection system4. The Overland Park zoning ordinance expects R-1 and RP-1 property to have public sanitary sewers, or suitable alternatives, before development15. Most lots inside the city are therefore expected to connect to sewer, and we could not confirm any city rule on septic for a lot that cannot.

If you do need a private system, the county lists a $480 installation permit fee16, and the design must come from a county-licensed installer, designer or engineer17. A resale inspection is required within 60 days after purchase, and Overland Park is covered because only DeSoto, Gardner and Edgerton are excluded18. Call the Johnson County Environmental Division19.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Overland Park?

We could not confirm Overland Park's rules on living in an RV, camping on a lot, or occupying a tiny home. The zoning ordinance sends RV parking and storage to a separate city code chapter that we have not read, and no city source we reviewed addresses tiny homes. Ask Planning and Development Services before you buy a lot for either use2.

One state rule helps with manufactured homes. Kansas does not let a city or county exclude manufactured homes from its whole zoning jurisdiction, but they stay subject to local zoning and the city's mobile home park district208.

Building a home in Overland Park: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Planning and Development Services to verify the parcel's zoning district and its setbacks2.
  2. Check the lot against the district's minimum area and width, such as 8,000 square feet in R-16. Splitting a lot means a preliminary and a final plat approved under the city's subdivision rules21.
  3. Confirm sewer service. If a private septic system is the only option, start with the county's Environmental Division19.
  4. Submit plans to the Building Codes Division, which reviews them under the 2024 code package3.
  5. If you will rebuild or replace a driveway approach, get a right-of-way work permit from Public Works14.
  6. A driveway onto a Kansas state highway needs a state permit22.

What stays with Johnson County, and what to check before you buy in Overland Park

Land outside city limits follows different offices and rules. For unincorporated land, see the Johnson County page. The county's building, zoning and entrance permit rules do not apply inside Overland Park.

Water is another check. Kansas counties and some cities require well permits, and the county's table lists a $65 household well permit for Johnson County23. We could not confirm how that applies inside the city.

On cost, Johnson County's effective property tax rate is 1.2%24, and the typical home value countywide is $468,65125. Floodplain rules inside the city were not confirmed, so ask the city before building near a creek.

Watch-outs

  • Do not use Johnson County's building permit or zoning pages for an address inside Overland Park; the county tells city addresses to contact their city planning department26.
  • We could not confirm the city's rules on owner-builders, certificates of occupancy, fees, or short-term rentals, so ask the Building Codes Division and Planning and Development Services32.

Sources

  1. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  2. Overland Park Planning and Development Services (opkansas.gov)
  3. Overland Park Building Codes Division (opkansas.gov)
  4. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 16 - Buildings and Construction (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  6. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  7. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  8. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  9. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  10. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  11. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  12. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  13. Unincorporated Area, quoted and re-checked
  14. Overland Park Public Works (opkansas.gov)
  15. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  16. Forms and Fees, quoted and re-checked
  17. Residential Systems, quoted and re-checked
  18. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  19. Johnson County Environmental Division (Department of Health and Environment) (jocogov.org)
  20. K.S.A. 75-1218 — Exemption from construction codes; zoning (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Overland Park Municipal Code, Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance (Overland Park), quoted and re-checked
  22. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Water Well County Permits, quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  26. Unincorporated Area, quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Overland Park

Overland Park’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential construction inside Overland Park city (OPMC 16.310)

    • Adopted save and except parts deleted, added or changed in the city code
    • Chapter 16.110 separately retains the 2018 residential code for certain new single-family residences on their own lot (under 2,500 sq ft per the 16.110.100 text)

    residential code edition: 2024 International Residential Code (2018 IRC retained under OPMC 16.110 for limited new single-family residences)

    “the 2024 international residential code, as published by the international code council, inc., is hereby adopted by reference as the residential code of the city of overland park, save and except such parts or portions thereof as are specifically deleted, added or changed in the city code.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Overland Park city limits; the city adopts its own Unified Development Ordinance (Title 18) with zoning districts

    • Board of zoning appeals and planning commission administer the ordinance
    “the zoning of property as r-1, single-family residential district, or rp-1, planned single-family residential district, is intended to provide for standard low-density residential developments”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Overland Park city (UDO 18.150 onward)

    • Districts include A, RE, RP-OE, RP-OS, R-1, R-1A, RP-1N, R-2, R-3, RP-4 to RP-6, PRN, commercial, MXD, BP, industrial and MHP
    “18.150 zoning districts 18.160 a agricultural district 18.170 re residential estates district”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    A agricultural district, Overland Park city

    • Subject to exceptions in 18.420
    • Maximum lot depth to width ratio 3:1

    lot area per dwelling: >= 20 acres · minimum lot width: >= 300 feet · minimum lot depth: >= 300 feet

    “e. minimum lot width -- 300 feet; f. minimum lot depth -- 300 feet; g. maximum lot depth to width ratio -- 3:1; h. lot area per dwelling -- 20 acres.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential district, Overland Park city

    • Front yard 30 feet if preliminary platted before January 1, 2010
    • Infill lots use average existing setback along the block face
    • Corner lot street-side yard at least 20 feet (15 feet if lot backs up to another corner lot)
    • Total of both side yards at least 20% of lot width, though no side yard other than a corner street side need exceed 15 feet
    • Subject to 18.420 exceptions

    minimum front yard: >= 20 feet (30 feet if platted before 2010) · minimum side yard: >= 7 feet · minimum rear yard: >= 25 feet

    “c. minimum side yard: 1. the total of both side yards shall be not less than 20% of the width of the lot, except that no side yard other than a street-side yard on a corner lot need be more than 15 feet. 2. no side yard shall be less than 7 feet. 3. the street-side yard on corner lots shall be not less than 20 feet; provided that where the lot backs up to another corner lot, the street-side yard shall be not less than 15 feet. d. minimum rear yard -- 25 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    A agricultural district, Overland Park city

    • Agricultural structures up to 50 feet
    • Accessory structures 1-1/2 stories, not exceeding 20 feet
    • Subject to 18.420 exceptions

    maximum residence height: <= 35 feet (2-1/2 stories)

    “a. maximum height: 1. residences -- 2 - 1/2 stories, not exceeding 35 feet; 2. agricultural structures -- 50 feet; 3. accessory structures and uses, other than agricultural structures -- 1-1/2 stories, not exceeding 20 feet and not exceeding the height of the main residential structure.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 single-family residential district, Overland Park city
      “a. maximum height: 1. residences -- two and one-half stories, not exceeding 35 feet. 2. accessory structures and uses, other than non-residential structures -- one story, not exceeding 20 feet and not exceeding the height of the main structure.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Property zoned R-1 or RP-1 inside Overland Park city

    • Public sanitary sewers or suitable alternatives must be provided before development
    • Stated as a statement of intent for the district; no water rule or distance threshold located
    “property zoned r-1 or rp-1 shall be provided with public sanitary sewers, or suitable alternatives, prior to development.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions and lot splits inside Overland Park city (UDO chapter 18.460)

    • Only the chapter title was seen; substantive text was not opened
    “except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no subdivision may be created nor any plat recorded with the register of deeds until both a preliminary and final plat have been submitted and approved in accordance with the provisions of 18.140.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Overland Park or Johnson County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Overland Park city
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Overland Park city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Overland Park city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Overland Park city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Overland Park city
15 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Overland Park publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Johnson County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Johnson County: county rules, score and offices