Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Glen Elder, Kansas

Glen Elder’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, enlarging, relocating, or remodeling a building or structure inside Glen Elder city.

  • Permit must be obtained from the city clerk after approval by the chief building official or authorized assistant before work or foundation work begins.
  • A completed application may support a limited Notice to Proceed before formal permit consideration, subject to stated hardship conditions.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to hereafter erect or cause to be erected within the city any building or structure of any kind or enlarge or add to the outside dimension thereof, or relocate any building or structure already erected or which may hereafter be erected or remodel any building or structure within the city without a building permit being first obtained therefor from the city clerk, after approval by the chief building official or his or her duly authorized assistant.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  An owner personally performing building or construction work at the owner's own residence in Glen Elder city.

  • Work must be for the owner's personal use and permanent occupancy.
  • Owner must satisfy the building inspector as to ability, obtain a permit, pay fees, comply with the article, apply for an inspection, and receive a certificate of approval.
  • Work must be performed personally without compensation; no assistant may be employed except a city-licensed builder or building contractor.

  “Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any property owner from personally performing any building or construction work within and upon his or her own residence and intended for his or her personal use and permanent occupancy; provided, the owner shall satisfy the building inspector as to his or her ability to perform such work, secure a permit, pay required fees, do work in accordance with this article, and apply for an inspection and receive a certificate of approval.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures in Glen Elder city.

  • The Code incorporates the International Building Code, 2000 Edition, by reference for construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location, and maintenance of buildings and structures.

  adopted code edition: International Building Code, 2000 Edition

  “International Building Code, 2000 Edition”

• InspectionsRequired

  New construction and additions to existing buildings performed under a city building permit inside Glen Elder city.

  • The contractor or builder must notify the building official or inspector when the site and foundation are marked or laid out.
  • Before foundations and footings are poured or laid, the official or inspector must be notified.
  • Upon completion, the person doing the work must request inspection.

  initial inspection fee: 5 USD · subsequent inspection fee: 5 USD (for subsequent inspections required)

  “Upon the completion of any building construction work covered by this article, it shall be the duty of the person doing such work to notify the building inspector and request that it be inspected; after which such work shall be inspected promptly as hereinafter provided.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Lots proposed to use a private sewage-disposal system with subsurface soil absorption facilities inside Glen Elder city.

  • This is a private-sewage-system condition, not a general zoning district minimum-lot-size finding.
  • No permit may issue if the lot is smaller than one acre.

  minimum lot area: >= 1 acre (private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities)

  “No permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than one acre. No septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any public sewer or natural outlet.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage-disposal systems inside Glen Elder city where public sanitary sewer is unavailable under City Code § 15-402.

  • The city utility superintendent signs the private-system permit.
  • Additional requirements may be imposed by the city or county health officer.

  “Before commencing construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the utility superintendent. The application shall be accompanied by any plans, specifications or other information deemed necessary by the utility superintendent.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private sewage-disposal system inside Glen Elder city.

  • Applies before construction commences.
  • Application must include plans, specifications, or other information deemed necessary by the utility superintendent.
  • Permit and inspection fee is due when the application is filed.

  private sewage disposal system permit and inspection fee: 100 USD

  “Before commencing construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the utility superintendent. The application shall be accompanied by any plans, specifications or other information deemed necessary by the utility superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of $100 shall be paid to the city at the time the application is filed.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage-disposal-system construction inside Glen Elder city.

  • Applicant must notify the utility superintendent when work is ready for final inspection or before underground portions are covered.
  • The inspection is to be made within 48 hours after the superintendent receives notice.

  inspection response time: <= 48 hours (after receipt of notice by the superintendent)

  “The utility superintendent or his or her authorized representative shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and the applicant shall notify the superintendent when the work is ready for final inspection or before any underground portions are covered. The inspection shall be made within 48 hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private sewage disposal inside Glen Elder city where public sanitary sewer is unavailable under City Code § 15-402.

  • Private system must comply with §§ 15-411 through 15-416.
  • Private system requires written permit and inspection.
  • No permit may issue for subsurface soil absorption facilities on a lot smaller than one acre.
  • When public sewer becomes available as defined in § 15-402, direct connection is required and private sewage facilities must be abandoned and filled.

  minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption facility: >= 1 acre

  “Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of section 15-402 the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of sections 15-411 to 15-416.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City building permits in Glen Elder city.

  • Fee is due to the city clerk when the building-permit application is filed.
  • If a Notice to Proceed is issued or work begins before permit issuance and a permit is later issued, the same fee applies.
  • No fee is refundable if a permit is denied, limited, or conditioned.

  building permit minimum fee: 25 USD (or 0.25% of total project cost, whichever is greater) · building permit project-cost percentage: 0.25 percent (minimum $25; whichever is greater)

  “The fee for a building permit shall be a minimum of $25 or .25% of the total cost of the project, whichever is greater. The fee shall be paid to the city clerk upon filing an application for a building permit and the same shall be credited to the General Operating fund of the City, provided, however, that in the event a Notice to Proceed is issued, or the improvement or relocation of any structure is commenced before issuance of a permit or under this ordinance, and a building permit is subsequently issued, the fee for a building permit in such instance shall be $25 or .25% of total project cost – whichever is greater.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Glen Elder or Mitchell County directly.

• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings and structures inside Glen Elder city.
• Local zoning — Land inside Glen Elder city limits.
• Zoning districts — Land inside Glen Elder city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Glen Elder city.
• Lot coverage — Land inside Glen Elder city limits.

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.