Outside its cities, Dickinson County requires a zoning permit, the county’s name for a building permit, for all new construction, residential or commercial; a new house costs $150 under the 2026 fee schedule. The Zoning Office in the Abilene courthouse (785-263-4464) takes applications online, a new home needs at least 3 acres and proof of water, and the county has no building code, so only septic and wastewater systems are inspected.
What needs a county permit in Dickinson County?
The county zoning regulations apply to all land outside the corporate limits of any city. Under them, no new, moved, remodeled or rebuilt building may be occupied or used, and no use of land may change, until the Zoning Administrator issues a zoning certificate.
Zoning (building) permit
- New houses and other residential buildings
- Additions
- Accessory buildings, residential and agricultural
- Commercial buildings and commercial grain bins
- Signs and temporary uses
Other county permits
- Wastewater (septic) permit, subject to soil profile requirements
- Water well permit
- Floodplain development permit
- Highway/construction use permit for county roads
- Conditional use, variance, rezoning, plat or lot split where needed
Who issues permits in Dickinson County?
The Planning & Zoning (Zoning) Office in the County Courthouse, 109 E. 1st St., Abilene, issues zoning permits, assigns 911 addresses when a building permit is issued, and acts as floodplain manager. Its maps can be viewed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday; phone 785-263-4464. A seven-member Planning Commission appointed by the County Commission hears rezonings, conditional uses and subdivisions.
Septic systems and private water supplies are handled by the Environmental Services department of Public Works at 2363 Jeep Road, Abilene (the transfer station), open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. on weekdays; phone 785-263-4780. Inside the cities:
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →| Town | Who issues building permits |
|---|---|
| Abilene (pop. 6,552) | City of Abilene code enforcement and inspections, which issues permits and inspects construction; separate residential and commercial building permit applications. City offices, 419 N. Broadway, 785-263-2550. |
| Herington (2,101 residents in Dickinson County) | City of Herington under the 2015 International Building Code: return the application to the City Office and the inspector reviews it. 17 N. Broadway, 785-258-2271, weekdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The city also extends into Morris County. |
| Chapman (pop. 1,380) | City of Chapman: the city code adopts the 2018 International Building Code; permits come from the city clerk after the building inspector approves them. Section 4-213 sets the fee at $10 for the first $1,000 of cost plus $1 for each further $1,000, with no fee under $300 (the code’s IBC amendment also refers fees to the city’s comprehensive fee schedule). City Hall, 446 N. Marshall St., 785-922-6582. |
| Solomon (1,006 residents in Dickinson County) | City of Solomon: the building inspector issues building, roof, fence, sign and demolition permits and inspects all construction; roofs always need a permit, and heating and air, plumbing, electrical and roofing contractors need an annual city licence (general and demolition contractors on jobs over $3,000). Building Inspector 785-819-3533; City Hall, 116 W. Main St., 785-655-3311. The city also extends into Saline County. |
| Enterprise (pop. 708) | City of Enterprise: the code enforcement officer issues building permits under the city code, which adopts the 1997 Uniform Building Code, on a plan and statement of materials; the fee is $10 for the first $1,000 of cost plus $1 for each further $1,000 or fraction. City Hall, 206 S. Factory St., 785-263-8323. |
| Hope (pop. 313) | City of Hope, which posts its own building permit application (cost, use, frame type, sanitary facility and zoning compliance details). City Hall, 113 N. Main St., 785-366-7218. |
| Woodbine (162), Manchester (49), Carlton (37) | The published sources do not say; Woodbine 785-257-3359, Carlton city clerk 785-479-6489, Manchester City Hall at 610 Lina Ave. |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Septic systems, wells and trade work
Environmental Services regulates private wastewater systems and non-public water supplies. It issues wastewater and water well permits, licenses wastewater contractors, inspects systems and screens water samples. A new or modified system starts with a $170 construction permit application, which includes a site visit and soil evaluation; the septic tank or lateral field permit is a further $85.
The county does not issue electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits. Its answer to whether an owner can wire and plumb their own home is “Yes”, and new wells must be drilled by a certified well driller.
Dickinson County permit fees (2026)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential structure | $150 |
| Addition | $50 per 1,000 sq ft, minimum $50 |
| Accessory structure, residential or agricultural | $50 per 1,000 sq ft |
| Commercial grain bin | $50 |
| Floodplain development permit (not for stream bank stabilization) | $250 |
| Wastewater construction permit application, with site visit and soil evaluation | $170 |
| Septic tank or lateral field permit | $85 |
| Existing wastewater system inspection (property transfer, cost-share, operating permit) | $170 |
| Wastewater system inspection for a refinance | $115 |
| New water well permit | $65 |
| Rezoning or conditional use | $200 |
| Variance | $150 |
| Lot split or boundary shift | $50 |
| Sign permit | $25 |
| Highway/construction use permit, residential / commercial | $100 / $285 |
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Permits are good for one year, and the Zoning Administrator can grant a six-month extension at no cost. The 2026 schedule lists no separate rate for commercial buildings; the county’s FAQ page gives $50 per 1,000 sq ft for them. Section 24-102 of the zoning regulations says no fee is charged for an agricultural use or farm dwelling, while the 2026 schedule applies the accessory-structure rate to agricultural buildings.
Work started without a permit may be charged double the permit fee under the fee schedule, and the 2009 regulations quadruple the fee for a certificate issued after work began without one. Zoning violations can be fined up to $500 each, up to $2,500, with 30 days to correct and one extension.
What the zoning permit application needs
Apply on the county’s online Permitting & Licensing site. Under Section 24-103 of the zoning regulations, the application includes a site plan drawn to scale showing:
- The legal description of the property
- The location and size of all buildings, structures, yards and open space
- The width and length of entrances and exits, and the adjoining roads or highways
- Enough grades and elevations to place the buildings, the sewage system and drainage, and to check for floodplain
- Signs, lighting, fencing, screening and landscaping
- Proof of potable water
For a new home, proof of water means confirmation from the rural water district that a meter is available, or the paperwork from the well driller.
Rather not deal with the Dickinson County building department?
Get a free quote →How to get a zoning permit in rural Dickinson County
The county advises visiting the Zoning Office before a land purchase to confirm the parcel is legal to build on; a new home needs at least 3 acres.
Ask the Zoning Office for the district and whether the site is on the FEMA flood maps; setbacks are in Article 19.
Get a rural water meter confirmation or a well driller’s paperwork.
Contact Environmental Services for the soil evaluation and septic permit.
Submit the application and site plan on the Permitting & Licensing site; the Zoning Administrator issues or refuses it within 10 working days.
A zoning certificate becomes void if work has not begun within 90 days, and it expires after one year or when the certificate of occupancy is issued.
County inspections
Dickinson County has no building code and requires no inspections except for septic and wastewater systems. Environmental Services also inspects existing systems when a property is sold ($170) or refinanced ($115), and can check the well and screen the water at the same visit for $65. Before a new or changed building is occupied, the regulations call for a certificate of occupancy from the Zoning Administrator confirming that the building or use complies with the zoning regulations.
Local details for Dickinson County
Zoning districts: the county uses AG-80 and AG-40 agricultural districts, Rural Residential, Suburban Residential, Single-Family Residential, Lake Lot, Sand Springs, Red Bud Lake and Village districts, plus Airport, Floodplain and Floodwater Retarding Dam Breach Impact overlays. A rezoning costs about $200 and takes about 60 days.
Manufactured homes: check with the Zoning Administrator before buying a manufactured or mobile home narrower than 22 feet.
Roads and culverts: a new culvert is arranged with the County Highway department or the township board, depending on who maintains the road.
Flood damage: owners whose homes were damaged by flooding should contact the Zoning Office or Emergency Management.
Kansas building code
Kansas has no general statewide building code: each city and county adopts and amends its own. A few state rules apply everywhere, led by the Kansas Fire Prevention Code. Kansas rules
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Official Dickinson County permitting resources
- Dickinson County Planning & Zoning
- Dickinson County zoning (building) permits and online application link
- Dickinson County 2026 fee schedule
- Dickinson County zoning questions and answers
- Dickinson County 2009 Zoning and Subdivision Regulations
- Zoning Regulations Article 24: zoning certificates
- Dickinson County Environmental Services (septic and wells)
- Dickinson County city offices
- City of Abilene code enforcement and inspections
- City of Herington permits
- City of Solomon building permits and inspections
- City of Chapman code: building code and permits
- City of Enterprise code: building code and permits
- City of Hope forms (building permit application)
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Dickinson County permit FAQs
Do I need a building permit in rural Dickinson County?
Yes. All new construction outside the cities needs a county zoning permit, which the county treats as its building permit.
How much is a permit for a new house?
$150 for the residential structure under the 2026 fee schedule, plus the septic permit fees if the house needs a private system.
What is the smallest lot I can build a house on?
Three acres, according to the county Zoning Office.
Does the county inspect new houses?
No. The county has no building code; only septic and wastewater systems are inspected.
Can I do my own wiring and plumbing?
In the rural county, yes. Inside a city such as Abilene or Herington, the city’s permit rules apply.
How long does a zoning permit take?
The Zoning Administrator must issue or refuse it within 10 working days of receiving the application.
Who handles septic permits?
Environmental Services at 2363 Jeep Road, Abilene (785-263-4780). The construction permit application, with site visit and soil evaluation, is $170.
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More Kansas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Dickinson County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.