Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Alma, Kansas

Alma’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition or occupancy change of buildings inside Alma city limits

  • The quoted rule is in section 4-209 (Building permit required; application; approval).
  • Permit is issued by the city clerk after approval; the text is cut off in the captured copy, so the approval steps and exemptions after the quoted clause were not read.
  • Construction may proceed only after the permit is obtained, hence conditional status.

  issuing office: city clerk

  “it shall be unlawful for any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction, alteration, removal, demolition, use and occupancy of buildings and structures inside Alma city limits

  • Adopts the International Building Code, 2012 edition, by reference under K.S.A. 12-3009 through 12-3012 including any amendments thereto.
  • One official copy is filed with the city clerk; the code is not reproduced online.
  • The adoption text as posted reads 2012 edition; no later edition adoption was found in the posted code.

  building code edition: International Building Code 2012 edition

  “the international building code, 2012 edition, as recommended by the international conference of building officials”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Alma city limits (Wabaunsee County, KS): Alma city's own zoning regulations, incorporated by reference in Code of the City of Alma Chapter XVI Article 2

  • Section 16-201 incorporates the city's zoning regulations, consisting of ordinance nos. 194, 295, 354, 369, 424, and 478, entitled 'zoning regulations of the city of alma, kansas'.
  • Section 16-202 also incorporates, by reference, the Wabaunsee County zoning regulations adopted in city ordinance no. 424, which 'shall be interpreted in concert with the city zoning regulations'.
  • The zoning regulations text is not posted in the online code; one official copy is filed with the city clerk for public inspection, so district text was not reviewed.
  • Status is conditional because use is allowed only as the district regulations permit.

  “there are hereby incorporated by reference as if set out fully herein, the zoning regulations adopted by the governing body of the city of alma, kansas, as prepared by the city and consisting of ordinance nos. 194, 295, 354, 369, 424, and 478 and entitled, "zoning regulations of the city of alma, kansas."”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Alma or Wabaunsee County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Alma city limits
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Alma city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Alma city limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and list for Alma city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Alma 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.