The City of McPherson’s Building Inspection Department, 400 E. Kansas Avenue (620-245-2547), issues building permits for work inside the city, and any type of permit can be applied for online. Under Resolution 25-18, adopted on December 30, 2025, a new building’s permit fee is 0.4% of its value from the International Code Council’s Building Valuation Data, with a $100 minimum, and a residential re-roof is a flat $75.
Who issues building permits in McPherson?
The Building Inspection Department checks that contractors are qualified through the City’s contractor licensing program, reviews plans, inspects work as it goes up and keeps the codes current. It issues building, demolition, temporary structure and fireworks stand permits for work inside the City’s jurisdiction.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building Inspection Department, 400 E. Kansas Avenue, McPherson, KS 67460 |
| Phone | 620-245-2547 (City Hall 620-245-2535) |
| Apply | Online forms: full building permit application or residential maintenance permit |
| Payment | Cash, check or credit card; a convenience fee is added for cards |
Outside the city limits, McPherson County Planning, Zoning and Environment issues zoning permits for unincorporated land. The county says McPherson has extraterritorial jurisdiction for subdivision development and floodplain management within 3 miles of the city.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →When do you need a permit in McPherson?
A building permit is needed for any new building, addition, alteration or repair to any part of a commercial or residential building. Common smaller jobs have their own fixed-fee permits: water heaters, furnaces and air conditioners, water service and sewer lines, re-roofing, re-siding, egress windows and window replacement, as well as general electrical and plumbing work. Demolition, signs, temporary structures and fireworks stands need permits too. If you are unsure, call 620-245-2547 or ask at the office.
McPherson permit fees (Resolution 25-18)
Resolution 25-18, adopted on December 30, 2025, sets the City’s fees. A building permit is calculated as square footage × the cost per square foot from the ICC Building Valuation Data table for the type of construction and occupancy × 0.004. Houses use finished square footage, usually at construction type V-B and occupancy R-3; commercial buildings use the footprint. The City’s Permit Fees page still links the older Resolution 18-24, but Resolution 25-18 repeals any prior fees that conflict with it.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| New construction | Square feet × BVD cost per sq ft × 0.004; $100 minimum |
| Finishing a basement | 65% of the new residential fee |
| Remodel at or above finished grade (residential or commercial) | 50% of the fee; not for additions; $100 minimum |
| Residential re-roof | $75 |
| Residential window replacement | $45 lump sum |
| Egress window | $35 each |
| Furnace or air conditioner replacement | $35 per unit |
| Water heater; water service line; sewer line | $25 each |
| General electrical; general plumbing | $25 each |
| Residential re-siding | $25 |
| Residential erosion control | $25 flat |
| Demolition | $15 per 1,000 sq ft; $25 minimum |
| Sign permit | $25 |
| Sewer connection | $2,500 inside city limits; $3,500 outside |
Commercial and industrial energy upgrades to electrical, lighting, mechanical, HVAC or plumbing systems are priced on the cost of the work: $18 up to $500 of cost, $609 for the first $100,000 plus $4 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000, and $3,709 for the first $1,000,000 plus $2 per additional $1,000 above that. Work started without a permit pays double.
Contractor licences
Contractors working in McPherson are licensed through the City’s program. Resolution 25-18 sets these fees:
- General contractors: Class A $175 the first year and $45 to renew with 6 contact hours; Class B $150 and $40; Class C $120 and $35 with 4 hours; Class D $100 per specialty and $30 to renew.
- Local contractors: commercial $150 and $40; residential $120 and $35, each with 3 contact hours.
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical licences: $120 the first year and $30 to renew.
- Renewals after February 1 cost the first-year price.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Plans and documents
Residential projects do not currently need plans submitted. Commercial and industrial projects need fully engineered plans, at least:
- Civil sheets: a site plan with grades, elevations and all new and existing utilities
- Structural sheets: foundations and reinforcement, the building structure and equipment supports
- Architectural sheets: code review, floor plans and elevations
- Mechanical, plumbing and electrical sheets with schedules, details and specifications, including fire and smoke alarms where required
The City also posts code handouts on egress windows, handrails and guards, roofing, water heaters, furnaces, sewer and water service lines, footings, pool bonding and driveway and sidewalk details.
How to get a McPherson building permit
Unincorporated land goes to McPherson County Planning, Zoning and Environment.
Use the residential maintenance permit for jobs like water heaters or re-roofs and the full building permit application for new construction, additions and remodels.
Finished square footage for a house, or footprint, construction type and occupancy for a commercial building, so the City can price the permit.
Only maintenance-type permits may start before the fee is paid; everything else waits for payment and issue.
Display it where it can be seen and keep the inspection card on site.
Request inspections at least 24 hours ahead.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections
Call for inspections at least 24 hours ahead; they are done first come, first served, so a same-day call is scheduled when an inspector is free. The inspector signs the inspection card at each visit. A certificate of occupancy is required for every permitted project that involves occupying the space; maintenance-type permits do not need one. Emergency repairs to water service lines, water heaters or furnaces and air conditioners can start before the application, but the contractor must get the permit the next business day.
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 McPherson permit resources
- McPherson Building Inspection Department and adopted codes
- McPherson building permits
- McPherson full building permit application
- McPherson residential maintenance permit
- McPherson Resolution 25-18 fee schedule (December 30, 2025)
- McPherson permit fees page
- McPherson required building plans
- McPherson code handouts
- McPherson building inspection FAQs
- McPherson floodplain regulations and forms
McPherson permit FAQs
Who issues building permits in McPherson, Kansas?
The City’s Building Inspection Department, 400 E. Kansas Avenue, 620-245-2547.
How is the building permit fee calculated?
Square footage times the ICC Building Valuation Data cost per square foot times 0.004, or 0.4% of the valuation, with a $100 minimum. Remodels at or above grade pay half, and finished basements pay 65% of the new-home rate.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a re-roof permit?
$75 for a house under Resolution 25-18.
Do I need plans for a house?
No plans are currently required for residential permits. Commercial and industrial projects need fully engineered plans.
What if I start work without a permit?
The permit fee doubles. Only emergency water line, water heater and furnace or air conditioner work may start first, with the permit pulled the next business day.
How far ahead do I book an inspection?
At least 24 hours. Inspections are first come, first served.
Simplify McPherson permitting with Alliance Permitting
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Kansas. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Ready to break ground in McPherson sooner?
Let Alliance prepare, file, and track your McPherson permits while your crew stays on the job.
More Kansas permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about McPherson permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.