Bolthole Index

McPherson County, Kansas

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

49Index Score / 100
#53 of 105 in Kansas

Unincorporated McPherson County, Kansas requires a zoning permit before covered construction or land-use work begins, but we could not confirm a separate countywide building-code permit1. Finished work must pass a zoning-compliance inspection before occupancy23. The county also regulates zoning, floodplain development and county-road entrances, and administers a sanitary code for onsite wastewater4567.

At a glance

Building permit
Zoning permit required; separate building-code permit not confirmed1
Zoning
County rules govern land use and building location in unincorporated areas4
Occupancy certificate
Required before a new, moved, altered or changed-use structure is occupied3
Septic
County-administered sanitary code; permit and inspection details remain unconfirmed78
RV living
Temporary lodging only; residential RV use is prohibited in the A-2 district910
Manufactured home
Allowed only under the parcel's district rules and placement standards11
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed; ask Planning, Zoning & Environment12
County-road entrance
Culvert permit and final inspection required6

Who to call

Planning & zoning

McPherson County Planning, Zoning & Environment Department

Zoning permits, occupancy certificates, zoning administration and environmental questions for unincorporated McPherson County

620-241-2288

200 N. Maple Street - 2nd Floor Suite 210, McPherson, KS 67460

Septic permits

McPherson County Sanitarian (Planning, Zoning & Environment Department)

County sanitary-code and onsite-wastewater questions

620-241-2288

200 N. Maple Street - 2nd Floor Suite 210, McPherson, KS 67460

Roads & driveways

McPherson County Public Works

Entrance and culvert permits for county roads

620-241-0466

[email protected]

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

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

For unincorporated McPherson County, start with a zoning permit before constructing, reconstructing, moving or structurally altering a covered structure or improving land1. The application must show the parcel and proposed structures, driveways, parking, setbacks, waste-disposal areas and uses13. The Zoning Administrator must approve or disapprove a complete application within 15 days unless the applicant agrees to more time, and an unused permit becomes void after 180 days1. We could not confirm a separate countywide building-code construction permit or an adopted county building-code edition, so ask the department whether another approval applies to the project14. Before occupancy, new, reconstructed, moved, altered and changed-use structures must receive an occupancy certificate3. The finished premises are inspected for compliance with approved plans and applicable utilities, roads and public improvements; this is a zoning-compliance inspection, not proof of a general building-code inspection program152.

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

McPherson County Planning, Zoning & Environment is the first stop for zoning and environmental questions on unincorporated land16. Call 620-241-2288 or visit 200 N. Maple Street - 2nd Floor Suite 210, McPherson, KS 6746016. Ask the office to identify the parcel's district, permitted use, required setbacks, zoning application, occupancy process and any floodplain review. County zoning fees vary by application and the governing body's fee schedule; the regulations do not supply one universal amount17. Agricultural status is not automatic for every rural building: the Zoning Administrator may request an agricultural compliance certificate to determine whether the exemption applies, and that certificate has no fee18. For a new entrance on a county road, contact McPherson County Public Works at 620-241-0466 or [email protected]19.

Does McPherson County have zoning?

Yes. McPherson County regulates land use and building location in the unincorporated county; incorporated cities are outside that county rule4. About 887 square miles remain unincorporated, and the county identifies multiple zoning classifications20. The official map identifies district boundaries and is available for public inspection through the Zoning Administrator21. Dimensional controls are district-specific and cannot be applied countywide22. In one cited district, a wastewater lagoon requires 5 acres, a subsurface soil-absorption system requires 3 acres, and impervious surfaces may cover no more than 35% of the lot2324. That district also uses a 35-foot front yard, 15-foot residential side yards, 20-foot side yards for other uses and a 30-foot rear yard, but plats and existing-street rules can change the result25. Subdivision rules may also govern utilities, roads and public improvements, and Inman, McPherson and Moundridge exercise subdivision authority within their 3-mile extraterritorial areas26.

How do septic permits work in McPherson County?

McPherson County administers a county sanitary code through its sanitarian in Planning, Zoning & Environment7. Kansas allows local governments to adopt onsite-wastewater codes and issue construction and operating permits, while all Kansas septic tanks remain subject to KDHE Bulletin 4-28. We could not confirm McPherson County's current septic application, inspection sequence or fees; call 620-241-2288 before designing or installing a system727. Site conditions deserve early attention because only about 8.2% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field28. Kansas also prohibits seepage pits, cesspools, dry wells and surface discharge from private onsite systems; domestic wastewater must use an approved collection, lagoon, septic, alternative or permitted treatment system29.

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

An RV is not a path to permanent residence on unincorporated land governed by McPherson County zoning. The county permits RV use only as temporary lodging for convenience, for no more than 15 days at one time9. In the A-2 Agricultural Transition District, recreational vehicles are expressly prohibited as residential buildings10. We could not confirm one countywide minimum dwelling size or a single classification for tiny homes, so ask Planning, Zoning & Environment how the county will classify a proposed unit before purchase. Manufactured homes follow district-specific permitted, special or conditional-use rules and must satisfy HUD Code plus anchoring or permanent-foundation requirements11. One accessory dwelling may be allowed on the same zoning lot as a principal single-family home if lot area, appearance, parking, sanitary utilities and deed-restriction conditions are met30.

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

  1. Ask Planning, Zoning & Environment to confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated McPherson County, identify its zoning district and explain which permit forms apply1621.
  1. Submit the zoning-permit drawing or plat with the proposed structures, access, setbacks, parking, waste-disposal area and uses13.
  1. Contact the county sanitarian before choosing a house site or wastewater design; we could not confirm the county's septic permit and inspection details7.
  1. If the site is in a regulated flood-hazard area, obtain the written floodplain-development permit required for construction, subdivision proposals, substantial improvements and manufactured-home placement5.
  1. Obtain a county culvert permit for a county-road entrance and arrange Public Works' final inspection after installation619. A state-highway driveway instead requires an approved Kansas highway permit before right-of-way work31.
  1. Complete the work and any required subdivision improvements to the approved plans, then obtain the occupancy certificate before moving in263.

What should you check before buying land in McPherson County?

Verify zoning, legal access, wastewater feasibility and flood status before making the contract unconditional. The official zoning map is the starting point for permitted uses, while district tables and recorded plats control lot area and setbacks212325. Conventional septic suitability is a significant due-diligence item because only about 8.2% of county soils avoid severe drain-field limitations28. A county-road entrance needs a culvert permit, final inspection, a driveway top at least 24 feet wide and a culvert opening at least 18 inches in diameter6. Development in covered floodplain areas requires a written permit, including manufactured or mobile homes32. Finally, budget around the county's effective property-tax rate of about 1.4% and median annual property-tax bill of about $2,780, while remembering that an individual parcel's assessment can differ3334.

Watch-outs

  • McPherson County's zoning permit and occupancy inspection do not establish that the county runs a general building-code inspection program; the county's adopted building-code edition remains unconfirmed142.
  • The owner-builder exemption is unconfirmed, so ask Planning, Zoning & Environment before assuming you may serve as your own contractor1216.
  • We could not confirm the county sanitary code's septic permit, inspection and fee details7; get the current process directly from the county sanitarian27.

Sources

  1. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  2. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  3. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  4. Zoning Regulations of McPherson County, Kansas, quoted and re-checked
  5. Floodplain Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  6. Revocable Entrance Application/Permit, quoted and re-checked
  7. KDHE County Environmental / Sanitary Codes (2026 county census)
  8. Local Environmental Protection Program (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  10. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  11. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  12. (2026 county census)
  13. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  14. 2024 Zoning Regulations (2026 county census)
  15. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. McPherson County Planning, Zoning & Environment Department (mcphersoncountyks.us)
  17. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  18. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  19. McPherson County Public Works (mcphersoncountyks.us)
  20. About the Department, quoted and re-checked
  21. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  22. Article 4 Zoning Districts, quoted and re-checked
  23. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  24. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  25. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  26. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  27. McPherson County Sanitarian (Planning, Zoning & Environment Department) (mcphersoncountyks.us)
  28. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  29. MF2214 Minimum Standards for Design and Construction of Onsite Wastewater Systems (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. 2024 Zoning Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  31. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  32. Model Floodplain Management Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  33. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  34. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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

McPherson County in Kansas

49
County map
McPherson County highlighted among the Kansas counties · colored by Index score

How McPherson County scores

Seclusion59100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency25100% ev.
Admin Boringness5790% ev.
Durability46100% ev.
Property Autonomy47100% ev.
Carry Cost70100% 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 →

$227kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$3,653Land / acre
32.2"Annual rain
23.2% of yrsSevere drought
30.3 / yr (+19.2)Mid-century 100°F days
24.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.92" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.42×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,334Home insurance / yr
3.3% / yrInsurance growth
1.02%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
14,605People within 30 min
1,241,556People within 2 hr
23,280Radius comparison (15 mi)
33.5People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
8.2%Septic soil without severe limits
47,161 acWorkable land screen
5.5%Wooded land
39.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for McPherson County

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

McPherson County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Structures and uses subject to McPherson County zoning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • This is a zoning-permit requirement, not a confirmed countywide building-code permit mandate.
    • Applications require the information prescribed by the zoning regulations.
    • The zoning administrator issues or disapproves a zoning permit within 15 days, or a longer period agreed by the applicant.
    • A zoning permit becomes void after 180 days unless construction, reconstruction, moving, structural alteration, or use has commenced.

    application decision period: 15 days (or such further period as may be agreed to by the applicant) · permit validity commencement period: 180 days (unless qualifying work or use commences)

    “Unless a zoning permit shall first have been obtained from the Zoning Administrator, the construction, reconstruction, moving or structural alteration of any building or structure or the improvement of land prior to its use or the use of any land or structure being changed to any other use, shall not be commenced.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Structures and additions constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered, and new or changed uses of structures or land, in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.

    • This is a zoning-regulation inspection and occupancy-certificate requirement, not an identified separate county building-code construction permit requirement.
    • A zoning permit application is deemed an application for an occupancy certificate.
    • The work must be completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator as fully compliant with the permit plans and specifications, including applicable utilities, roads, streets, and other public improvements.
    • An occupancy certificate or written denial must be issued within 10 days after notification that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use.
    • A temporary occupancy certificate may be issued for no more than six months while additions or improvements are completed or during partial occupancy, provided satisfactory guarantees are submitted, including possible performance bonds or escrow accounts.
    • The zoning regulations became effective January 1, 2024.

    occupancy-certificate response time: 10 days (after the Zoning Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use) · temporary occupancy certificate duration: <= 6 months (pending completion of additions or improvements or during partial occupancy; satisfactory guarantees required)

    “No occupancy certificate for a structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered or for the new or changed use of any structure or land shall be issued after the effective date of these regulations until such work has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator to be in full and complete compliance with the plans and specifications upon which the permit was issued [...] An occupancy certificate shall be issued or written notice shall be given to the applicant stating the reasons why a certificate cannot be issued within 10 days after the Zoning Administrator is notified that the structures or premises are ready for occupancy or use.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Zoning-compliance inspection by the County Zoning Administrator before issuance of an occupancy certificate.
      “No occupancy certificate for a structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered or for the new or changed use of any structure or land shall be issued after the effective date of these regulations until such work has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator to be in full and complete compliance with the plans and specifications upon which the permit was issued”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New, reconstructed, moved, altered, or changed-use structures and land in unincorporated McPherson County.

    • The certificate must be obtained before occupancy or use.
    • A temporary certificate may last no more than six months if satisfactory guarantees are submitted.
    • The County Zoning Administrator must issue the certificate or written reasons within 10 days after notice of readiness.

    temporary occupancy certificate maximum duration: <= 6 months (pending completion of additions or improvements or during partial occupancy)

    “No structure or addition thereto constructed, reconstructed, moved or altered after the effective date of these regulations shall be occupied or used for any purpose; and no land vacant on the effective date of these regulations shall be used for any purpose; and no use of any land or structure shall be changed to any other use, unless an occupancy certificate shall first have been obtained from the Zoning Administrator certifying that the proposed use or occupancy complies with all the provisions of these regulations.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning history, including the unincorporated county.

    • The county page states that approximately 887 square miles remain unincorporated and identifies county zoning classifications.
    “The entire county was zoned by June 21, 1978.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land use and building location in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.
      “From the effective date of this Resolution, the Zoning Regulations of McPherson County, Kansas and the Official Zoning District Map for McPherson County, both dated November 14, 2023 and incorporated in this Resolution by reference, govern all use of the land and the location of buildings and other structures placed within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County, Kansas.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    County zoning regulation of land use and building location within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.

    • The 2024 regulations were adopted by Resolution No. 2023-28.
    • The regulations are dated November 14, 2023, and state an effective date of January 1, 2024.
    • The cited regulation expressly applies within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County; incorporated municipalities are outside this claim's scope.
    “within the unincorporated areas of McPherson County”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Official county zoning districts and district boundaries for unincorporated McPherson County.

    • The official zoning map is incorporated by reference.
    • The map must be kept on file by the County Zoning Administrator and made available for public inspection during reasonable business hours.
    • The adopted regulations identify district classifications and boundaries.
    “The revised Official Zoning District Map for McPherson County delineates the boundaries of zoning districts and their classifications.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — County zoning districts and their dimensional controls.
      “They establish zoning district boundaries and classifications of zoning districts; adopt by reference an official map of zoning districts; define certain terms used in the Zoning Regulations; regulate the maximum dimensions of buildings and other structures through bulk regulations and lot areas;”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    District-specific minimum lot areas in the county zoning regulations.

    • For a wastewater lagoon, the cited district requires 5 acres.
    • For a subsurface soil absorption system, the cited district requires 3 acres.
    • The lot-area requirement must increase as necessary to meet County Sanitation Code standards.

    minimum lot area for wastewater lagoon: 5 acres · minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption system: 3 acres

    “Minimum lot area: * (See Section 2-102 for definition of LOT AREA.) a. All uses: i. Wastewater lagoon: 5 acres. ii. Subsurface soil absorption system: 3 acres.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    District-specific building setbacks in unincorporated McPherson County.

    • The cited district requires a 35-foot front yard, 15-foot residential side yards, 20-foot side yards for other uses, and a 30-foot rear yard.
    • Recorded subdivision plats may establish a different setback or front yard.
    • Existing residential streets may require average setbacks, subject to a 20-foot minimum and 50-foot maximum.

    front yard: 35 feet (all sides abutting a street) · residential side yard: 15 feet · other-use side yard: 20 feet · rear yard: 30 feet

    “Front yard: 35 feet on all sides abutting a street. b. Side yards: i. Residential: 15 feet. ii. Other uses: 20 feet. 2. Minimum rear yard: 30 feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Maximum impervious-surface coverage in a cited county zoning district.

    • The cited district limits impervious-surface coverage to 35 percent.

    maximum impervious surface coverage: 35 percent

    “Maximum lot coverage: 35% impervious surface coverage.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational vehicles, including motor homes, campers, camping trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and similar vehicles, on land governed by McPherson County zoning regulations in the unincorporated county.

    • RV storage may not be used for living purposes.
    • Temporary lodging is allowed only for convenience and for not more than 15 days at any one time.
    • In a residential district, when stored on a driveway or on a graveled or paved surface parallel and adjacent to the driveway, the RV must be stored only by the occupant who owns the vehicle.
    • The RV must be at least five feet from the front lot line and may not be stored in a front-yard setback.
    • Conventional vans and pickup trucks with or without slide-in pickup campers or toppers are excluded from the county's RV definition; small trailers used for hauling animals, equipment, or household goods of the dwelling occupant are also excluded.

    maximum temporary lodging duration: <= 15 days at any one time (temporary lodging only)

    “temporary lodging only for not more than 15 days at any one time”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Prohibited — RV occupancy as a residential building in the A-2 Agricultural Transition District within unincorporated McPherson County.
      “B. Prohibited Uses [...] d. Recreational Vehicles (RVs)”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home placement and occupancy under district-specific county zoning regulations.

    • District-specific permitted, special, or conditional-use rules apply.
    • Manufactured homes must meet HUD Code and anchoring or permanent-foundation requirements.
    • Temporary placement may be authorized at the Zoning Administrator's discretion for a stated period.
    “No structure shall hereafter be built, moved or structurally altered and no structure or land shall hereafter be used, occupied or designed for use or occupancy except for a use that is permitted within the zoning district in which the structure or land is located or provided for otherwise in these regulations.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    One accessory dwelling unit on the same zoning lot as a principal single-family dwelling.

    • Maximum one accessory dwelling unit per zoning lot.
    • Appearance must be compatible with the principal dwelling and neighborhood.
    • The lot must meet the applicable minimum lot area.
    • Required off-street parking must be provided.
    • Utility connections are subject to the County Sanitary Code.
    • A deed restriction must be filed before issuance of an occupancy certificate.
    • The unit may not be subdivided or sold as a condominium.

    maximum accessory dwelling units: 1 per zoning lot

    “A maximum of one accessory dwelling unit may be allowed on the same zoning lot as a single-family dwelling unit;”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural-exemption determinations under county zoning regulations.

    • The Zoning Administrator may request an agricultural compliance certificate when needed to determine agricultural-exemption status.
    • No fee applies to obtaining that certificate.

    agricultural compliance certificate fee: 0 USD

    “Completion of an agricultural compliance certificate may be requested by the Zoning Administrator when such information is needed to determine the agricultural exemption status described in Section 2-102. No fees shall apply to obtaining this certificate from the Zoning Administrator.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and lot-development requirements tied to county zoning permits in unincorporated McPherson County.

    • Applicable subdivision regulations govern utilities, roads, streets, and other public improvements.
    • Those improvements must be installed or guaranteed before an occupancy certificate is issued.
    • Inman, McPherson, and Moundridge have ETJ for subdivision development within 3 miles.
    “requirements for utilities, roads, streets and other public improvements in any applicable Subdivision Regulations which must either be installed or guaranteed.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Entrances and driveways connecting to county roads.

    • A culvert permit is required for requested entrances.
    • The entrance must meet County Public Works size, length, condition, and material requirements.
    • The application requires final inspection after culvert installation.
    • The minimum driveway top is 24 feet and minimum culvert opening is 18 inches.

    minimum driveway top: 24 feet · minimum culvert opening: 18 inches diameter · county-installed entrance fee: 2000 USD per entrance (limited to one entrance per field)

    “That any entrances Landowners may want, will require a culvert permit from the County Public Works Office, as to size and length required, also condition of culvert or material used for culvert.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Floodplain development, including new construction, substantial improvements, subdivision proposals, prefabricated structures, and manufactured or mobile homes.

    • A written floodplain-development permit application is required.
    • Applications must identify the work, intended occupancy, flood-fringe or floodway location, elevations, plans, specifications, and authorized signature.
    • In A, AE, AO, and AH zones, permits require compliance with the ordinance conditions.
    • Until a floodway is designated, development in numbered A or AE zones must demonstrate no cumulative base-flood increase greater than one foot.

    maximum cumulative base-flood elevation increase before floodway designation: <= 1 foot (at any point within the community)

    “A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured or mobile homes, in the areas described in Article 2, Section A.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development requiring a floodplain development permit in regulated flood-hazard areas.
      “A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured or mobile homes, in the areas described in Article 2, Section A.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    County zoning, occupancy, amendment, appeal, special-use, conditional-use, and variance applications.

    • Fees are set by a fee schedule approved by the governing body.
    • No part of the fee is refunded except for an unapproved zoning permit.
    “the applicant upon filing an application for an amendment, special use, appeal, conditional use, variance or a zoning permit including occupancy certificate, shall pay the County Treasurer a fee according to the fee schedule approve by the Governing Body.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning-permit process for proposed structures and uses in unincorporated McPherson County.

    • Applications require a drawing or recorded plat and information about structures, driveways, parking, loading, setbacks, waste-disposal areas, and proposed uses.
    • The Zoning Administrator issues or disapproves a zoning permit within 15 days unless a longer period is agreed.
    • A permit becomes void after 180 days unless work or use commences; suspended or abandoned work for 180 days requires an extension or new permit.

    zoning permit decision period: 15 days (unless a further period is agreed to by the applicant) · permit validity period: 180 days (unless construction or use commences)

    “A zoning permit shall be either issued or disapproved by the Zoning Administrator within 15 days after the receipt of an application thereof or within such further period as may be agreed to by the applicant.”

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.”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 — Whether an owner of property in McPherson County may apply for a construction or zoning permit and perform the work without a contractor license.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated McPherson County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated McPherson County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated McPherson County.
  • Septic inspection — Inspection of onsite wastewater systems in McPherson 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.

Water rights & wells in McPherson County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Kansas’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Domestic use is statutorily exempt from the Kansas Water Appropriation Act, so a homeowner needs no state water right to drill a household well even inside a closed groundwater management district; only local/KDHE well-construction permitting applies.

Limit: Domestic use (household + livestock + ≤2 acres lawn/garden) requires no state appropriation permit

Kansas Dept of Agriculture, DWR — Water Law Basics ↗
  • McPherson IGUCApartial of county

    IGUCA (1980, amended 2020) closed to new appropriations except domestic, temporary, and short-term permits.

    KDA-DWR — McPherson IGUCA ↗
  • Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2partial of county

    Equus Beds aquifer district governed by an Aquifer Safe-Yield Principle plus a moratorium, effectively closing it to net new appropriations. Domestic wells remain exempt.

    Kansas Dept of Agriculture — Division of Water Resources ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Kansas state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in McPherson County, Kansas

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

McPherson County scores 49/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 14,605 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (32.2″/yr rainfall).

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

McPherson County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by McPherson County Sanitarian (Planning, Zoning & Environment) under KDHE LEPP. 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 McPherson County?

Living in an RV on your own land in McPherson County is allowed on a temporary basis only: Recreational vehicles, including motor homes, campers, camping trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and similar vehicles, on land governed by McPherson County zoning regulations in the unincorporated county. RV storage may not be used for living purposes. Temporary lodging is allowed only for convenience and for not more than 15 days at any one time. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in McPherson County, Kansas?

Land in McPherson County runs about $3,653 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McPherson County?

McPherson County gets about 32.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 23.2% of years. On water rights, McPherson County lies in the McPherson IGUCA — IGUCA (1980, amended 2020) closed to new appropriations except domestic, temporary, and short-term permits..

How remote is McPherson County?

A representative private-land location has about 14,605 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,241,556 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 McPherson County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How McPherson compares in Kansas

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