Bolthole Index

Sedgwick County, Kansas

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Valley Center, Kansas

Valley Center, Kansas requires a building permit for any new construction or alteration inside city limits1. The city also adopts its own zoning districts2 and issues septic permits within city limits3. Sedgwick County's rules cover only the unincorporated land outside the city.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for any new construction or alteration inside city limits; the city issues it1
Zoning
Yes, city zoning districts including A-1, RR-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3 and MH-12
Septic
The city issues septic permits within city limits3
Residential building code
2018 IRC4
Minimum lot, R-1A
10,000 square feet5
Front setback, R-1A
30 feet on all sides abutting a street6
Wells
City well permit required inside city limits7

Who to call

Building permits

City of Valley Center Community Development

Building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, well, sewer connection and septic permits, plus residential inspections, inside Valley Center city limits

(316) 755-7320

[email protected]

545 W. Clay Ave.

Building permits

Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department (MABCD)

Building, wastewater and well permits for unincorporated Sedgwick County, and commercial plan review for Valley Center

316-660-1840

271 W. 3rd St. N., Wichita, Kansas 67202

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Valley Center, Kansas?

Yes. Valley Center requires a building permit for any new construction as well as alterations to existing structures, interior or exterior1. Every permit application needs a plot plan1, and applications can be downloaded and then mailed, faxed or e-mailed8.

The city requires all contractors working in the city to be licensed with it1. We could not confirm whether a homeowner can act as their own builder inside city limits, so ask9 before you plan on it. Sheds and fences may need only a zoning permit rather than a full building permit, per the city's page1.

Who issues building permits in Valley Center, and how do you reach them?

The City of Valley Center's Community Development office issues building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, well, sewer connection and septic permits inside city limits109. Call first to confirm the cost and that your address is inside city limits8.

The city performs all residential inspections, covering building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work, and asks you to schedule them 24-48 hours ahead11. Fees for new residential construction are published on the city's page and calculated by staff once the permit is ready12. The city currently uses the 2018 IRC as its residential building code4.

Commercial plan review is done by Sedgwick County, and new commercial buildings also need Planning and Zoning Board approval first118.

Does Valley Center have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Valley Center adopted its own zoning regulations, with districts including A-1, RR-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3 and MH-12. A zoning map is posted on the city site13.

The rules depend on the district. In R-1A, the minimum lot area for a residential building is 10,000 square feet5, the front yard is at least 30 feet on all sides abutting a street6, lots may be covered up to 30%14, and structures may be up to 35 feet tall15. In RR-1, a lot on septic with public water needs at least 20,000 square feet16.

Zoning allows one accessory apartment per lot with a single-family dwelling, with conditions such as off-street parking and a deed restriction17.

How do septic permits work inside Valley Center?

Inside Valley Center, the city issues septic permits and also inspects septic systems318. The same city page lists well permits and well inspections7. Whether Sedgwick County also plays a role for a septic system inside city limits is unconfirmed; ask9.

Outside city limits the answer changes: in unincorporated Sedgwick County, septic systems and lagoons are regulated by MABCD19. If your lot is near the edge of town, confirm which side of the line it is on before you apply.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Valley Center?

We could not confirm Valley Center's rules for living in an RV, camping, or placing a tiny home on a lot. The zoning code is long and we did not verify these provisions, so ask Community Development at the number listed on this page before you buy or park anything. The zoning code includes an MH-1 manufactured home park district2, but we could not confirm what it allows.

Building a home in Valley Center: the steps, in order

  1. Call9 to confirm your address is inside city limits and to ask about the cost of a permit8.
  2. Confirm the lot's zoning district and its lot size, setback and height rules2.
  3. Hire a contractor licensed with the city1.
  4. Submit a building permit application with a plot plan1.
  5. Pull the septic and well permits from the city if the lot is not on city sewer or water37.
  6. Schedule inspections 24-48 hours ahead; the city also inspects driveway approaches, lot grading and occupancy1120.

What stays with Sedgwick County, and what to check before you buy

Land outside city limits follows Sedgwick County rules, not the city's; see the Sedgwick County page for those. Sedgwick County's effective property tax rate is 1.2%21, and the median property tax bill is $2,345 per year22.

Before you buy, check the lot's flood status: the city runs a floodplain management program, but we did not confirm its permit rules, so ask the city. Also confirm any driveway onto a state highway, which needs a state permit23.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm whether homeowners may act as their own builder inside Valley Center city limits; the city says all contractors must be licensed1, so ask Community Development.
  • RV, camping and tiny-home rules inside Valley Center were not confirmed, and the city's MH-1 manufactured home district2 was not reviewed; call the city before buying a lot for any of these.
  • Fences and sheds may need only a zoning permit, but verify with the city before you build1.

Sources

  1. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  2. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  3. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  4. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  5. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  6. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  8. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Valley Center Community Development (valleycenterks.gov)
  10. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  13. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  14. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  15. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  16. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  17. Valley Center Zoning Ordinance (Updated August 2022) (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  18. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  19. Wastewater - Sedgwick County Only, quoted and re-checked
  20. Building Permits - City of Valley Center (Valley Center), quoted and re-checked
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Kansas Administrative Regulations, Volume 3 (Kansas statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 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 Valley Center

Valley Center’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction and alterations inside Valley Center city

    • Every permit requires a plot plan
    • Sheds and fences may need only zoning permits per city page
    • Contractors must be licensed with the city
    “a building permit is required for any new construction as well as alterations to existing structures, whether the work is interior and exterior.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Valley Center city

    • 2021 IRC mechanical only; 2024 IBC; 2023 NEC; 2024 IMC and 2021 IFGC; 2021 UPC/IPC; 2018 IFC

    residential code: 2018 IRC

    “the city currently utilizes the: 2018 irc (international residential code) building code”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Residential buildings inside Valley Center city

    • Schedule 24-48 hours in advance
    • Commercial plan review is conducted by Sedgwick County
    “the city of valley center performs all inspections for residential buildings, this includes building, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical inspections.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy inspections inside Valley Center city

    • Page states the city inspects occupancy; does not use the term certificate of occupancy
    “the city of valley center performs inspections on driveway approaches, water meters hookups, wells, septic systems, sewer hookups, lot grading, and occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Valley Center city limits

    • Districts include A-1, RR-1, R-1A, R-1B, R-2, R-3, MH-1 per the table of contents; zoning regulations adopted September 18, 2014, PDF updated August 2022
    “17.04.04 r-1a single-family residential district. this district is established for the purpose of low density single-family dwelling units”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Valley Center city

    • Zoning map is also posted on the city site
    “17.04.03 rr-1 suburban residential district.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    RR-1 suburban residential district inside Valley Center city

    • Area depends on sewer/water: 12,000 sq ft with clustered alternative sewer and public water; 40,000 sq ft with septic or alternative sewer and no public water; 217,800 sq ft with lagoon
    • Minimum lot width 80 feet; depth 100 feet

    minimum lot area, septic with public water: >= 20000 sq ft

    “2) 20,000 square feet with an alternative sewer system or septic tank system and a public water supply.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1A single-family residential district inside Valley Center city

    • Side yard 10 feet on both sides for residential buildings
    • Rear yard 25 feet for principal buildings, 10 feet for accessory structures; garages with alley entrances at least 20 feet

    minimum front yard: >= 30 feet

    “a. minimum front yard: 30 feet on all sides abutting a street.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1A single-family residential district inside Valley Center city (RR-1 and A-1 also 30%)

    maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent

    “3. maximum lot coverage: 30%. f. use limitations.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1A single-family residential district inside Valley Center city (RR-1 and A-1 also 35 feet)

    • Height exemptions per the definition of maximum height

    maximum structure height: <= 35 feet

    “1. maximum structure height: 35 feet. 2. yard requirements:”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory apartments on lots with a single-family dwelling inside Valley Center city

    • Lot must meet minimum lot area for its district
    • Off-street parking required
    • Must stay under same ownership as the principal dwelling and not be subdivided or sold as a condominium
    • Deed restriction filed with the Sedgwick County register of deeds

    max accessory apartments per lot: <= 1 count

    “a maximum of one accessory apartment may be allowed on the same zoning lot as a single-family dwelling unit”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Septic systems inside Valley Center city

    • Sedgwick County Health Department may also have a role; not verified
    “the city of valley center issues permits within the city limits of valley center for all building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, sign, portable sign, water meter, well, sewer connection, septic, and right-of-way.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Septic systems inside Valley Center city

    “the city of valley center issues permits within the city limits of valley center for all building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, sign, portable sign, water meter, well, sewer connection, septic, and right-of-way.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic systems inside Valley Center city

    “the city of valley center performs inspections on driveway approaches, water meters hookups, wells, septic systems, sewer hookups, lot grading, and occupancy.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Wells inside Valley Center city

    • City also inspects wells
    “the city of valley center issues permits within the city limits of valley center for all building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fence, sign, portable sign, water meter, well, sewer connection, septic, and right-of-way.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway approaches inside Valley Center city

    • Page lists a right-of-way permit and driveway approach inspections; specific driveway standards not read
    “the city of valley center performs inspections on driveway approaches, water meters hookups, wells, septic systems, sewer hookups, lot grading, and occupancy.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    New residential construction inside Valley Center city

    • Fees calculated by city staff when permit is ready; fee schedule linked from the page, not opened
    “fees associated with new residential construction can be found here, as well as equity, connection, and new utility account setup.”
  • Permit processPublished

    Building permits inside Valley Center city

    • Call first to confirm cost and that the address is inside city limits
    • Plot plan required
    • New commercial buildings need planning and zoning board approval before a permit
    “applications for a building permit may be downloaded online and then mailed, faxed or e-mailed.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Valley Center or Sedgwick County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Valley Center city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Valley Center city
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Valley Center city
  • Camping on your land — Camping inside Valley Center city
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Valley Center city
7 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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 Valley Center publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Sedgwick County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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