Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Pretty Prairie, Kansas

Pretty Prairie’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, enlarging, adding to, exterior alteration, or relocation of any building or structure (including building signs and advertising structures) within Pretty Prairie city limits

  • Permit must be obtained from the city clerk before work begins; for new construction, before work commences on the foundation.
  • Permit is required as provided in Chapter IV, Article 2; exemptions, if any, not found in the article text reviewed.

  building permit fee: 10 USD (fee paid to the city clerk at application (section 4-202))

  “no person, firm or corporation shall erect or cause to be erected, within the city limits of the city of pretty prairie, kansas, any building or structure of any kind”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy of buildings and structures inside Pretty Prairie city

  • The code text does not state the edition or year of the National Building Code adopted; the adoption is recorded as ord. 137 and code 2018.

  “there is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of buildings and structures, the national building code”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Pretty Prairie city limits. The city adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance (zoning regulations dated November 16, 2009, and the official zoning map).

  • The zoning district text and map were not reviewed; the adopted zoning regulations are incorporated by reference from a 2009 model code, and the zoning map is kept on file with the Zoning Administrator rather than published in the code text reviewed.
  • Zoning regulations and map have been amended by several ordinances listed in the code history; current versions not verified.

  “zoning regulations are hereby approved and adopted by the governing body of the city of pretty prairie. kansas.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

  Existing and new structures on property inside Pretty Prairie city once municipal water is available to the property

  • Connection required when a municipal water system becomes available to the property; availability is not defined in the section reviewed.
  • Existing well water may be used only for lawn consumption, not potable use (section 15-210).
  • Owner of property with a plumbing system able to access municipal water owes the minimum fee even if not connected (section 15-212).

  “at such time as a municipal water system becomes available to any property, a direct connection from all structures and property, within the city to such municipal water system shall be made by all owners of such properties and/or structures”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Pretty Prairie city

  • Published fee covers the building permit only; other fees (for example water and sewer rates) are set by resolution and not covered here.

  building permit fee: 10 USD (paid to the city clerk at application)

  “the fee for the permit required by this article shall be the sum of $10.00 to be paid to the city clerk at the time of making application for such permit.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit application process inside Pretty Prairie city

  • Application is made to the city clerk on forms supplied by the clerk; the code lists required contents but the form itself was not found online.
  • Permit must be obtained before work begins on the foundation (new construction) or before enlargement, addition, or other work.

  “for the purpose of this article a building permit shall be obtained upon application to the city clerk.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Pretty Prairie or Reno County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for permits inside Pretty Prairie city
• Inspections — Inspections of construction inside Pretty Prairie city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new buildings inside Pretty Prairie city
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list for Pretty Prairie city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Pretty Prairie city, main single-family residential district

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.