Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Center Township, Kansas

Center Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction of a structure larger than 120 square feet on land in Center Township subject to Pottawatomie County permitting.

  • The official guide says inspections are required for structures larger than 200 square feet.
  • The guide also identifies permits for structures open on all sides without a solid roof that exceed 400 square feet, decks over 30 inches above grade that are not roofed or enclosed, additions, fences over 7 feet tall, most retaining walls over 7 feet tall, water tanks larger than 5,000 gallons, in-ground pools, and above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches.
  • The guide directs applicants outside the Blue Township Sewer District to use a pre-application form and says no inspections are required for those permits.
  • The guide states that construction should not begin until permits have been received from Pottawatomie County and Manhattan for Blue Township Sewer District projects.

  structure area requiring building permit: > 120 square feet · structure area requiring inspection: > 200 square feet

  “A building permit is needed for all site built dwellings and accessory structures, as well as manufactured homes, moved in homes and all additions to structures. However, a building permit is not needed for small storage sheds 120 square feet or less, fences, play houses and play equipment.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land in Center Township subject to Pottawatomie County's countywide zoning; the located official material identifies county zoning, not a separately adopted Center Township zoning ordinance.

  • The county FAQ states that countywide zoning was established in 1972 and that the entire county was zoned A1 (agriculture), with a few exceptions.
  • Commercial or manufacturing uses will most likely require rezoning; a single-family home may require rezoning; subdivision development requires rezoning and platting.
  • The official FAQ requires publication in the official county paper and notice to property owners within 1,000 feet at least 20 days before a rezoning hearing.

  “When countywide zoning was established in 1972, the entire county was zoned A1 (agriculture), with a few exceptions.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private domestic septic-system or lagoon installation on unincorporated land in Center Township subject to the Pottawatomie County sanitary-code program.

  • The County Environmental Health application states that an applicant must complete the form and receive a permit before installation or construction begins.
  • Kansas identifies county/local health departments or sanitarians as the authority for domestic septic tank/lateral-field oversight and permitting.
  • Under K.S.A. 19-3706, a sanitary code does not apply to incorporated cities or to a single-owner premises exceeding 10 acres that is used only for agricultural purposes, unless the code provides a greater acreage limitation.

  “The provisions of this chapter are adopted for regulating and controlling the location, construction, maintenance, and use of septic systems, waste stabilization ponds, alternate wastewater systems, privies, and the removal and disposal of materials from such facilities to protect the health of the citizens and environment of Pottawatomie County. SECTION 2-2 APPLICABILITY Pursuant to K.S.A. 19-3706, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all unincorporated land in Pottawatomie 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.