Zoning and Codes

Welcome to Douglas County, KS Zoning and Codes!  The Zoning office is currently a three member team who exclusively serve the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Our goals are to primarily meet the evolving needs of Douglas County as well as incorporating the goals of the comprehensive and area plans, including the Food Policy Plan.  Zoning is a critical tool used to allow certain land uses in an organized manner, this includes transportation, infrastructure, floodplain, agricultural preservation and promotion, open space as well as other land uses.  We are passionate about educating the public while responding to an unprecedented number of general land use questions regarding land sales and property acquisition.  We work to quickly resolve property complaints, and collaborate with the building codes team as well as our Joint City/County Planning office on a wide range of items.  Zoning is enforced to protect property owners from negative impacts of certain types of land uses.  Properties which are used in a manner inconsistent with the applied zoning code can cause visual blight in the county, affect the floodplain and downstream neighbors, create drainage issues, safety hazards for traffic, and damage the natural environment.

In between the daily work that quickly fills our days we’re working on several big goals countywide:

• Updating County area plans
• Updating floodplain maps
• Agricultural Preservation through a variety of land use options
• Kicking off an Open Space Plan
• Conditional Use, Site Plan and Home Business Reviews

All property research requests and general inquiries are handled through email. Please note: Phone calls and voicemail will be added to our queue and responded to in the order received. Our office receives a large amount of these requests and we work had to answer them in a timely manner. If your request requires extensive research, please expect delays. Please see below for the information we require to answer your questions. If you reside within city limits, please contact your local city officials.

• Many properties in Unincorporated Douglas County are vacant lots. We require a Plate Number or address to locate the lot and begin researching. 
• Public Property Viewer: use this to identify a vacant lots Plate Number, floodplain, zoning district, political township, and more. 
• All Zoning inquiries are to be emailed to zoning@douglascountyks.org

Linked below you’ll find our current list of text amendments in development and moving through the public review process.  We recognize that you as a Douglas County resident have unique knowledge about the areas in which you live and work.  Feedback from you helps steer the development of projects and future regulations by informing Commissioners, and staff of your interests, what you support, and what concerns you may have.  Citizen input is critical and makes a profound difference by leading staff and your elected officials in identifying potential impacts and solutions.  Your public comment is truly valued and can go a long way when it comes to land use decisions.  

To submit effective comment:

• Please review the project information and plans;
• explain your interest in the project;
• provide additional site or context information that you think is important;
• state your support and or concerns for aspects of the proposal;
• provide your name, and address.

Please note, if you provide comment, your information is not anonymous and may be used as public record.

We encourage the public to check in periodically and submit public comment to zoning@douglascountyks.org.  

• Subdivision Regulation Text Amendment (Eudora Urban Growth Area): Planning Commission 4/28/2021 | Board of County Commission approved on August 11, 2021 | Eudora City Commission approved August 17, 2021.
• Subdivision Regulation Text Amendment (Lawrence Urban Growth Area): Planning Commission 6/21/2021 | Board of County Commission approved 9/29/2021 | Lawrence city Commission first reading 10/05/2021, Second reading on 10/12/2021.
• Commercial/Utility Scale Solar Energy Conversion Systems (CSECS): Planning Commission 6/21/2021 deferred to 08/23/2021. On August 23 ad hoc committee formed. Next meeting 11/15/2021 or 11/17/2021. | Board of County Commission TBD.
• Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Tool (LESA): Planning Commission 08/25/2021. Ad hoc committee formed. Deferred until 10/27/2021. | Board of County Commission TBD.
• Floodplain Maps: Planning Commission TBD  | Board of County Commission TBD.

Douglas County Zoning and Land Use regulations were largely inspired by the Lawrence/Douglas County Comprehensive Plan, various Area Plans, and comment from the general public. Select a plan below to learn more. 

• Plan 2040 (Comprehensive Plan): The Comprehensive Plan provides a vision and expresses a community’s desires about the future. It provides the foundation and framework for making future physical development and policy decisions. It is used as a policy guide that identifies the community’s goals for directing future land use decisions. The Plan also is used by property owners to identify where and how development should occur; by residents to understand what the city and county anticipates for future land uses within the community; and by the city, county and other public agencies to plan for future improvements to serve the growing population of the community
• Transportation 2040: is the blueprint for our future transportation system. It is a vision for a healthy, safe, and efficient transportation system, which adequately serves Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin City, Lecompton, and unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
• Northeast Sector Plan (PDF): outlines specific land use goals, policies and recommendations for Northeast Lawrence and adjacent parts of unincorporated Douglas County.
• West of K-10 Sector Plan (PDF): outlines plans for urban density growth in the area west of K-10 in Unincorporated Douglas County.
• Food System Plan: The Douglas County Food System Plan provides strategic recommendations to help guide the development of the local food system in Douglas County, Kansas. It was adopted by Douglas County Board of Commissioners on June 28, 2017, and the Lawrence City Commission on July 11, 2017. The plan was created as part of the process to update the Lawrence-Douglas County Comprehensive Plan, and sets a framework for the next 10 years to guide policy changes by our local governments, to shape the work of the Douglas County Food Policy Council, and to inspire community actions and partnerships.

In 2020, Douglas County adopted new zoning regulations after decades of amending the original 1966 regulations. These updated regulations were largely inspired by Plan 2040, the Area Sector Plans, and input by members of the public.

• Zoning and Land Use regulations (PDF): In 2020, Douglas County adopted new zoning regulations after decades of amending the original 1966 regulations. These updated regulations were largely inspired by Plan 2040, the Area Sector Plans, and input by members of the public.
• Zoning Regulations Explained (PDF): Coming soon! Sometimes "new" can be scary or confusing, so we made a quick cheat sheet to explain whats inside the adopted regulations. 
• Subdivision Regulations (PDF): Lawrence and Douglas County share the same Subdivision Regulations to ensure that land development is performed in a way that can more easily meet city standards when annexed.
• Fireworks (PDF): For information regarding the sale, display, and use of fireworks in Douglas County.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (PDF): information regarding additional living quarters for farmhands, caretakers, and family members on the same parcel.
• Permitted Use Table (PDF): View what uses are specifically allowed
• AG-1 & AG-2 Zoning Districts (PDF): All lots in these districts, if vested, are eligable for the construction of one residence. Click to learn more about these districts.

The Lawrence/Douglas County Planning Department processes and presents applications to the Lawrence Planning Commission and the Douglas County Commissioners.  To get started you will need to contact and submit your application to the Planning & Development Services office at 1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 320. Lawrence, KS  66044.  For questions and application submittal call (785)-832-7700 or email Planner of the Day.

• Conditional Use Permits (CUPS) (PDF): A conditional use permit provides a public hearing process for the establishment of land uses which may be desired in the community but which, by the nature or scale of the use, have the potential to negatively impact surrounding land uses, the character of the area, the road network, or other features in the area. The conditional use permit process is intended to insure that the proposed uses are appropriate in the unincorporated portion of Douglas County; especially those land uses that are of a sensitive nature due to the intensity of the use or environmental impacts associated with the normal operation of the business or activity.
• Rezoning :An amendment to the zoning map, rezoning, may be initiated by the Board of County Commissioners or the Planning Commission. An amendment to a specific property may be initiated by an application of the owner of the property affected. Any proposed amendment shall follow the process set forth in the zoning regulations.
• Site Plan: The purpose of requiring site plan review and approval is to ensure compliance with the standards of these Regulations prior to the commencement of development activity and to ensure the compatible arrangement of buildings, off-street parking, lighting, landscaping, ingress and egress, and drainage in a manner that will promote safety and convenience for the public.

Douglas County is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by FEMA. Click the link below to view floodplain maps and obtain important information on how to protect your property.

• Floodplain management and information 

The Board of Zoning Appeals is a quasi-judicial County Board that can approve, approve with conditions, or deny a variance request. All Board members are residents of Douglas County.

• Board of Zoning Appeals Information: Look at what criteria the Board uses to make a determination on a variance request
• Board of Zoning Appeals Application and Meeting Schedule (PDF): Download the application. The meeting schedule is on the last page. 

Home Businesses have been regulated in Unincorprated Douglas County since 2000 in an effort to minimize the unintended impact these business have on adjacent property owners. 

• Home business regulations and information: Click to view whats permitted by right and what requires a conditional use permit.

As an Agricultural County in an Agriculture based state, Douglas County is very supportive of Agritourism operations. Common agritourism uses include U-Pick's or Farm-to-Table operations. Simply having an operation in a rural setting such as a wedding venue is not considered agritourism.

• Interactive web-map of locally registered Agritourism operations: once your register your agritourism operation with Douglas County, you can be added to the interactive map! The map can also be used to generate ideas on how to incorporate an agritourism use to your land.
• Agritourism information: view additional information about existing agritourism operations and starting your own, including registering with Zoning and Codes.

View and download zoning permit applications:

• Accessory Dwelling Unit (PDF)
• Agricultural Exempt (PDF)
• Agricultural Subdivision Boundary Survey w/ Agricultural and Natural Resource Protection Agreement (PDF)
• Agricultural Subdivision Boundary Survey without Agricultural and Natural Resource Protection Agreement (PDF)
• Agritourism (PDF)
• Fireworks Display (PDF)
• Fireworks Stand (PDF)
• Home Business (PDF)
• Sign (PDF)
• Special Event (PDF)
• Temporary Business Use (PDF)
• Temporary Second Dwelling Unit (during construction of house only) (PDF)
• Temporary Structure Use (PDF)

The Douglas County Building Codes Department consists of 4 individuals that serve all areas of the Unincorporated Douglas County. We do not have any jurisdiction over properties within city limits. The Building Codes team reviews residential and commercial building plans, issues construction permits, and handles construction violations. 

• For construction and code questions, please email building@douglascountyks.org.
• To schedule an inspection, please dial 785-331-1343.
• GIS Quick Guide (PDF): use this guide to help you navigate the Public Property Viewer
• Public Property Viewer: Use the property viewer to identify your rural water district, fire district, zoning district, political township, front setback and more!
• Building Codes 101 (PDF): The updated Building Codes Toolkit is intended to provide building owners and occupants with knowledge that will allow them to better understand the importance of building codes, as well as how to go about incorporating building codes into their own building or structure.

Click to download the relevant permit application. If your name does not appear on the propertys' deed, please download and submit the Owner Authorization Form when you submit your application.

• Single Family Residential/ Accessory Building (PDF)
• Commercial (PDF)
• Demolition (PDF)
• Electrical (PDF)
• Mechanical (PDF)
• Owner Authorization Form (PDF)
• Plumbing (PDF)
• Remodel (PDF)
• Solar (PDF)
• Swimming Pool and Spa (PDF)

Building and Zoning Fee Schedule

• Fee Schedule (PDF): View the fee schedule for various zoning and building permits. 

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• Cold Weather Concrete Guidelines (PDF)
• Residential Deck Guidelines (PDF)
• Residential Swimming Pool Guidelines (PDF)
• Lone Star Lake Supplementary Construction Regulations (PDF): In January 2021, Douglas County adopted construction regulations specific to Lone Star Lake Park. 

View the monthly reports from 2020 to date.

• Monthly Reports

Prior to submitting a Residential Building application, you will need to provide documentation of septic/well water approval from the Lawrence Douglas County Health Department, and approval from the Rural Water District, if on rural water. Road Entrance Approval from the Township/ Douglas County Public Works is also required:

• Health Department Contacts (PDF): For Septic and Well water approval.
• Rural Water Districts (PDF): To obtain a water meter on a vacant lot.
• Township Contacts (PDF): For road entrance approval and installation. 

Our website is currently undergoing maintenance. If you have any issues navigating, please email us at zoning@douglascountyks.org.

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