Accessory and Agriculture Building
A building or structure subordinate to and detached from but located on the same lot as the principal building or structure, the use of which is incidental and accessory to that of the principal building or structure, as defined in the Johnson County Zoning Regulations.
1. Search Address
Before you apply for a permit, make sure the address for your project is in the ‘unincorporated’ Johnson County area. Enter an address or KUPN number in the location search box provided. If the address returns with ‘Unincorporated Area’ then you can proceed with the permit application process. If your search returns with a ‘City’ name, then use the contact information provide to contact your city planning department.
2. Permit Process
If the following applies, skip steps 3 and 4 in the permit process below:
Agricultural Building or Structure A building or structure used solely for an agricultural use. Agricultural use is the use of land, building(s), or structure(s) for the raising of crops; animal husbandry; dairying; pasturage; general farming; cultivation of field crops; orchards; groves; raising fish, birds or poultry, wholesale tree farms, wholesale shrub farms and wholesale plant nurseries; and accessory uses, necessary for the carrying out of farming operations, including structures for storage, processing and sale of products raised on the premises shall not include the following:
- The operation or maintenance of commercial greenhouses, nurseries or hydroponic farms operated at retail.
- Wholesale or retail sales as an accessory use unless the same are permitted by these regulations.
Exemption: Any residential accessory building with floor area of 200 sq’ or more requires a permit. Any size structure is subject to setback requirements, check with the Planning Department before starting construction, 913-715-2200.
Before you apply
- For any regulations/restrictions or flood plain information pertaining to your property contact Johnson County Planning and Zoning at 913-715-2200.
Items 2 through 5, if applicable to project
- For a property/mailing address contact the Records & Tax Administration office at 913-715-0775. No permit will be issued without an address.
- For an Entrance Permit (driveway) contact Johnson County Public Works at 913-715-8300, if this is the 1st structure on your property or you are adding an additional entrance.
Contact Environmental or Wastewater if this is the 1st structure on your property and your structure will include plumbing.
- For Private Sewage Disposal (Septic Systems) contact Johnson County Environmental department at 913-715-6900. A septic location verification will be required if a new structure or an addition is being proposed.
- For Public Sewage Disposal (Sewer Systems) contact Johnson County Wastewater at 913-715-8500.
Applying for a permit
Johnson County Building Codes uses MyGovernmentOnline to apply and generate building permits. With MyGovernmentOnline, anything you can do in-person at your local office you can do online. Examples include applying for permits, payments online, request for inspection, submitting files, download inspection reports, approved plans, check status of a permit, download permit data, and search for permits.
- Don’t have a MyGovernmentOnline account? You can view the instructional guide here and create one here.
- If you already have an account, then login here to start the permit process.
Required documents
- Residential Building Permit Application
- Site Plan - A site plan must be uploaded, to scale the size and location of new construction, existing structures, existing septic tank and laterals on the site, distances from lot lines, the established street grades and the proposed finished grades; and it shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey.
- Land Disturbance Certification
- Accessory Building Use Form - How do you plan to use this structure? An accessory building use form must be provided before your permit can be approved. Please note, this form requires notary signature.
- Homeowner Installation form - If the homeowner will perform the work.
If applicable:
If any of the following applies to your project, you are required to provide the necessary paperwork to complete the permit application process.
- Septic permit - If there is an existing septic system; a location check will required by Johnson County Environmental.
- Entrance permit
- Sub-contractor forms, Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Roofing, Framing
- Homeowner Installation form - If the homeowner will perform the work.
Additional instructions:
All plans must be uploaded at the time of application in the Customer Portal. A complete set of construction plans showing front, side, and rear elevations, framing details, floor plans, footing & foundation plans.
Any non-conventional and unusual construction design shall be designed and sealed by a Licensed Design Professional registered in the State of Kansas. For example, Steel Framed Construction, Pole Barn-Post Framed Construction, Log Home, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Construction, Straw Bale Construction, etc. Post Frame Construction (Pole Barn) shall be designed by a design professional registered in the state of Kansas. Post Frame structures shall be designed in accordance with the 2018 International Building Code requirements for wind load of 115 mph, at exposure “C” and roof snow load of 20 psf.
Construction drawings shall be engineer sealed and include all framing details, post to beam, connection method, wall bracing method and approved footing for the proposed structure.
If pre-engineered truss system, roof/floor, will be used, an engineered sealed truss package shall be submitted for review and approval.
Engineered Wood Products – If I-Joists will be used, floor layout plan for floor/roof systems shall be sealed by a design professional and submitted for review and approval.
Foundation Wall shall be provided in accordance with the 2018 IRC requirements or standard detail otherwise shall be designed by a Licensed Design Professional registered in the State of Kansas.
Required inspections (if applicable)
An inspection will not be done without approved plans on the job site.
These notice times are minimums for scheduling inspections.
- Concrete (inspections are for the same day pour) 2 hour minimum notice required
- Footing
- Foundation Wall – Masonry Wall
- Pier Holes
- Structural Slab (suspended and on over 24” fill over dig).
All other inspections require a minimum of ½ day notice
- Underground Rough-In;
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Roof - mid-phase (as coverings are installed, final)
- Rough-In: electrical, plumbing, mechanical, framing (includes exterior wall bracing)
- Window Installation
- Exterior Wall Covering (brick, wood siding, stucco, stone veneer)
- Insulation (residential only)
- Drywall (before taping, screw pattern – type of gypsum board)
- Stucco (lath) (sheetrock must be done) otherwise drywall shall be glued and screwed after stucco application
- Fireplace (masonry) (insert)
- Gas Inspection (gas piping interior – exterior, air pressure test)
- Electrical Service (temporary/permanent)
- Fire Alarm per NFPA 72 (rough-in, final test)
- Final Inspection. Note: If a Septic or Entrance permit were required, a final inspection report from Environmental and Public Works must be received before schedule a final building inspection.
Required documents for Agriculture permits
- Residential Building Permit Application
- Site Plan - A site plan must be uploaded, to scale the size and location of new construction, existing structures, existing septic tank and laterals on the site, distances from lot lines, the established street grades and the proposed finished grades; and it shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey.
- Land Disturbance Certification
- Accessory Building Use Form - How do you plan to use this structure? An accessory building use form must be provided before your permit can be approved. Please note, this form requires notary signature.
If applicable:
If any of the following applies to your project, you are required to provide the necessary paperwork to complete the permit application process.
- Septic permit - If there is an existing septic system; a location check will be done by Johnson County Environmental.
- Entrance permit
- Homeowner Installation form - If the homeowner will perform the work.
Agricultural permits with electrical, mechanical or plumbing will need separate permits for each of these trades. Each contractor shall hold a current Johnson County Contractors License.
Required inspections for Agriculture permits
An inspection will not be done without approved plans on the job site.
The notice time of ½ day is required for scheduling inspections.
Final Inspection AG, can be requested once the location of the structure has been staked.