Kansas

Kansas Permit Guide for Metal Carports, Garages and Barns

Whether you need a Kansas carport permit is up to your city or county, because the state leaves building codes for homes and backyard buildings to local government. Your city or county decides whether you need a permit for a carport, garage or barn, and which code edition it follows. Many larger counties and cities use the International Residential Code and require permits once a building reaches a set size, while some rural counties only check zoning and setbacks. Land and buildings used for farming are exempt from county and city zoning under state law, but some counties still ask for paperwork to prove the farm use.

Building code in effect

Kansas has no statewide building code for houses and residential accessory buildings. The Kansas Corporation Commission notes that Kansas is a home rule state and that adoption and enforcement of building codes lies with local jurisdictions. Cities and counties pick their own codes, usually an edition of the International Residential Code and International Building Code. Johnson County, for example, uses its Code of Regulations for Buildings and Construction 2018 Edition, based on the 2018 IBC and IRC. The state does set some rules for other buildings: the State Fire Marshal enforces the Kansas Fire Prevention Code (K.A.R. 22-1) and reviews plans for schools, large assembly halls, care facilities and larger apartment buildings. A 2026 law (HB 2739) directs the Fire Marshal to update that fire code to the 2024 International Fire Code. None of this sets a statewide permit rule for a private carport or garage.

Who issues permits

If your land is inside city limits, the city building or codes department handles permits. In unincorporated areas, the county handles it, if the county has adopted a building code. Some counties have both planning (zoning) and building codes offices, and you may need sign-off from both. Zoning is a separate question from the building code: even where no building permit is needed, the county or city may still require a zoning permit and enforce setbacks. The Kansas State Fire Marshal's plan reviews cover schools, care facilities and larger public and apartment buildings, so a backyard garage or carport is a city or county matter.

County permit guides

County guides are coming soon.

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When you need a permit

No state size rule: Because Kansas has no statewide residential code, there is no single state size limit for when a shed or garage needs a permit. The number comes from your city or county code.
Example: Johnson County: In unincorporated Johnson County, any residential accessory building with 200 square feet or more of floor area needs a building permit, and buildings of any size must meet setbacks.
Carports and garages: Where a city or county uses the IRC, a carport or garage over the local size limit usually needs a permit, plans or a site plan, and inspections. Ask whether your office treats an open carport the same as an enclosed garage.
Electrical, plumbing and HVAC: Wiring a building usually needs its own trade permit where the local code requires one, even when the building itself is exempt. Johnson County and Douglas County both require separate trade permits for farm buildings with electrical work.

Farm buildings

Kansas law keeps county and city zoning off farm land. K.S.A. 19-2908 says county zoning regulations do not apply to the use of land for agricultural purposes, or to buildings put up on that land for those purposes, as long as the land and buildings are used for agriculture and not otherwise. K.S.A. 12-758 has the same rule under the planning and zoning act for cities and counties. Floodplain rules are the exception and still apply in mapped flood areas. Counties set their own steps to prove farm use. Douglas County asks for a signed affidavit, a site plan and proof such as a Schedule F, with at least 3 acres in farm use. Johnson County still takes a permit application for farm buildings but skips some review steps. In both counties, electrical, plumbing and HVAC work still needs separate permits.

Wind and snow

Kansas sits in the middle of Tornado Alley, and strong straight-line winds and hail are common across the whole state. The open High Plains in the west see steady high winds, and winter brings blizzards and drifting snow, especially in the north and west. Design wind speed and ground snow load are set by the local code, so ask your city or county building office for the numbers that apply to your site. As one example, Johnson County lists a 115 mph wind load (Exposure C) and a 20 psf roof snow load for post-frame buildings. Our partnered manufacturers offer certified buildings rated for 140 MPH wind and 35 PSF snow load, and higher ratings can be quoted where required.

Before you order

Find out first whether your city or county has adopted a building code at all, since some rural Kansas counties only handle zoning.
If you are in a mapped floodplain, expect floodplain rules to apply even to farm buildings.
For a farm building, ask the county what proof of farm use it wants (some ask for a Schedule F or a signed affidavit).
Get the local design wind speed and snow load in writing before ordering, since these vary by county.

Common questions

Do I need a permit for a carport in Kansas?
It depends on where you live. Kansas has no statewide residential code, so your city or county decides. Some counties, like Johnson County, require a permit for residential accessory buildings of 200 square feet or more. Call your local building or zoning office before you order.

Do I need a permit for a metal garage in Kansas?
In most cities and in counties that have adopted a building code, yes, a garage large enough to park a vehicle will be over the local size limit. In counties without a building code you may only need a zoning permit for setbacks. Either way, electrical work usually needs its own permit.

Are farm buildings exempt?
From zoning, yes. K.S.A. 19-2908 and K.S.A. 12-758 say county and city zoning does not apply to land and buildings used for agricultural purposes, except floodplain rules. Some counties still want proof of farm use, and wiring or plumbing still needs a trade permit.

Sources

Permit rules change. Always confirm with your local permit office before you build.

Looking at buildings? See our metal carports, metal garages and metal buildings.

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