Frequently Asked Questions - Environment

Who bears the responsibility for removing fallen trees that belong to another property?

First, contact your City Hall office for information concerning disposal options. Cities like Olathe, that have a free drop off location for tree limbs and brush for residents in their location. Also, most cities will have disposal options for tree and brush debris following a major storm. For a fee, the tree and brush debris can be hauled to the Johnson County landfill in Shawnee; or it can be mulched and composted or used for landscaping. If allowed in your area, a brush pile can be open burned after obtaining an open burn permit from the fire department and or the Johnson County Environmental department (JCED). Visit the county's Air Quality website for additional information. The disposal facilities information and Solid Waste options can be found on the following JCED website: http://jced.jocogov.org/swdisposal-options.

Why have you remove the desktop weather application? It was extremly helpful.

County government computers are now using Windows 7 which has its own weather gadget. For that reason our IT department no longer supports the desktop weather application. You can find the same information on http://local.msn.com/weather.aspx. It will automatically find the city where your system is housed. If you want to find weather for another location, you can type in the second location and it will find that weather information.

What is link to Jo Co Link Alert desktop weather

The link to Johnson County desktop weather alert is no longer active. If you are using Windows 7 it has a built in weather widget. If not, try http://local.msn.com. This website will automatically display the weather "alert" for your location. If you need weather for another city, input the city in the space provided and it will provide the current weather situation for that location.

JOCOLink-ALERT is not working

The JOCOLink-Alert site is no longer supported by the County ITS department. However, you can get the same information on other weather websites such as: AccuWeather.com. Type in the address and when the site opens you input your city in the space provided.

I live in Stilwell, KS. A neighbor has 4 junk cars in his yard, trash, and he burns trash. This is a blight. How do I file a complaint..

There are two departments that often work simultaneously in situations you describe. Contact the Planning and Codes department of Johnson County Government at 913-715-2200. They work in tandem with the Environmental department (913-715-6900) and will contact them if the situation requires it.

Many of the links of the county's recycle informational web page return the user back to the county's main web page instead of to the requested information.

Contact the Environmental Department regarding these concerns. You can find the Environmental Department under the "Departments" link on the Government of Johnson County, KS main page. Or, you may call them directly at ((13) 715-6900.

This there a location to bring Storm damage items (tree limbs, etc)?

The Environmental department offers a non-household hazardous waste program. Contact them at 913-715-6900 to schedule an appointment to drop off business and non-household hazardous waste materials. They will be able to provide the address for the drop-off location and other "need to know" facts.

Where can I drop off branches from tree damaged in recent storms?

The first thing you should do is contact your City Hall office for disposal options.

A few cities, such as Olathe, have a free drop-off location for tree limbs and brush, if you reside in the city. Most cities will have disposal options for tree and brush debris following a major storm event.

For a fee:

Tree and brush debris can still be hauled to the Johnson County Landfill located in Shawnee until January 1, 2012.
Debris can also be hauled to the Olathe composting site.
A landscaping company or waste hauler can pick up the debris.

Does a septic system need to be inspected upon a residential sale? Can title be transfered without a septic inspection?

The following is an excerpt from the Johnson County Municipal Code concerning requirements for septic systems.

See: Appendix B: ENVIRONMENTAL SANITARY CODE,

Article 4. - INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Section 1 - INSPECTIONS REQUIRED -

Physical site inspections shall be authorized and performed for all permitted or licensed activities under this code.

A. Construction activity. Whenever plans and specifications are required by this code to be submitted to an administering agency as part of a permit application, the agency shall inspect the premises prior to the start of operations to determine compliance with the approved plans and specifications and with any other requirements of this code.

B. Private sewage treatment systems. All private sewage treatment systems may be inspected as often as necessary to determine compliance with this code.

New private sewage treatment systems. Private sewage treatment systems shall be inspected by the environmental department prior to being placed in operation to determine compliance with this code.
Private sewage treatment systems that change ownership. Private sewage treatment systems shall be inspected by the environmental department prior to issuing a use permit to a property owner to determine compliance with this code. A property resale courtesy inspection performed under authority of this code and conducted no more than 120 days prior to submittal of the use permit application may satisfy this requirement.

Contact the county Environmental department at 913-715-6900 should you have additional questions.