City of Shawnee | Shawnee Connect

Accessory Buildings Permit Application (pdf)

Codes

Permits and Licenses

Rear Yard Requirements (pdf)

Accessory Buildings Permit Application Guidelines (Detached)

  1. No accessory building or structure may be erected on a vacant lot. Agricultural parcels used for the production of grains, fruits or trees are not considered vacant.
  2. The maximum allowable size of an accessory building in residentially zoned areas is dependant on the lot size, the size of the “required rear yard" (pdf) and the finished area of the house on that lot. A more detailed description of this regulation is given under Maximum Size of Accessory Buildings. There is no size limit on accessory buildings in agriculturally zoned districts.
  3. In residential zoning districts there may be only one accessory building or structure on the lot. This restriction does not apply in agricultural zoning districts.
  4. Accessory buildings and structures shall be placed in the rear yard only.
  5. Building Permits are required for any accessory buildings over 120 sq. ft. in gross floor area.
  6. Accessory buildings shall be constructed as required by the 2000 International Building Codes.
  7. Detached accessory structures greater than 120 sq. ft. in size shall be located at least fifteen feet from the principal building.
  8. If the accessory building will be used for automobile storage, a concrete, asphalt or paver brick driveway must be provided to the new building from the existing driveway.
  9. Accessory structures for non-residential properties may require Planning Commission review and approval. Contact the Planning Department at (913) 631-2500, extension 227 for further information.

Maximum Size of Accessory Buildings

Condition 1. Residential lots one acre (43,560 square feet) in size, or smaller: There are four ordinance restrictions, described below, that act to limit the size of an accessory structure. The most restrictive of these governs:

  1. Accessory structure size shall not exceed 250 square feet per 3,000 square feet of lot area. There is no pro rata for fractions of 3,000 square feet. A lot with 8,900 square feet would be allowed an accessory building of 500 square feet maximum.
  2. Accessory structures may not take up more than 30 % of the “required rear yard” on a lot. The “required rear yard (pdf)" is the full width of the lot between the rear property line, and the rear line of the house, projected to the side property lines of the lot.
  3. The size of the accessory structure may not exceed the total finished area within the house on that lot.
  4. The accessory structure may not exceed 1000 square feet in total floor area.

Condition 2. Residential lots larger than one acre (43,560 square feet) in size, but smaller that 4.99 acres (and zoned other than agricultural):

  1. The size of the accessory structure may not exceed the total finished area within the house on that lot.
  2. Accessory structures may not take up more than 30% of the “required rear yard (pdf)” on a lot. The “required rear yard is the full width of the lot between the rear property line, and the rear line of the house, projected to the side property lines of the lot.  Click here for a drawing of a typical “required rear yard” area (pdf).
  3. An accessory structure may be larger than 1000 square feet in total floor area, provided the size may increase only 250 square feet for each full acre in lot size over one acre, and may be increased on a pro rata basis for each fraction of a full acre over one acre in lot size.

Condition 3. Residential lots larger than five acres:

  • The only limitation on size for an accessory structure for a lot of this size is that the accessory structure may not exceed the finished area of the house on the lot.

Setbacks for Accessory Buildings

  • Setbacks for accessory buildings up to 250 Sq. Ft.
  • The setback requirement for buildings up to 250 sq. ft. in total floor area is 5 ft. (minimum) from rear and side property line.
  • Setbacks for accessory buildings over 250 Sq. Ft.
  • Buildings over 250 sq. ft. in total floor area shall meet the bulk setbacks of the zoning district for side or rear yards.
  • Setbacks for animal pens, shelters, stables, etc.

The Shawnee Municipal Code Section 6.08.020 has additional setback requirements for animal shelters, described below:

6.08.020 Improper keeping. A. Distance Requirements. It is unlawful for any owner, keeper, or harborer, to build, establish or maintain any pen, shelter, or quarters to keep any animal or bees which does not conform to the applicable distance requirement set out below:

  1. There shall be no stable, pen, shelter or similar animal or poultry housing within one hundred feet of any plot line; provided, that this shall not apply to noncommercial dog pens or dog houses.
  2. Manure or other odor or dust producing substances shall not be stored within two hundred feet of any plot line.
  3. All buildings and structures used for fur farming in excess of ten animals shall be located at least one hundred feet from any plot line.
  4. Commercial dog kennels shall be located at least two hundred feet from any plot line.
  5. Aviaries and apiaries shall be located at least fifty feet from any plot line.

Required Information for Permit Application

The following information should be submitted to the City of Shawnee to obtain a permit to construct an accessory building:

  1. A completed building Permit Application (pdf).
  2. An accurate, scaled plot plan showing all existing buildings on the property, and the proposed location of the accessory building. The plot plan should indicate the distance from the proposed accessory building to all property lines and existing buildings on the lot. The plot plan should show the size of the lot, and the size of the “required rear yard (pdf)”. A recent survey may be required if the proposed accessory structure is very close to a maximum size restriction.
  3. Contractors are required to have a current Business License with the City of Shawnee. Contractors applying for a permit to construct an accessory structure that will be larger than 400 square feet in size must also possess a Class A, B, or C Johnson County Contractors license.
  4. A Permit Fee, based on project valuation is required when the permit is issued. Checks should be made payable to the "City of Shawnee". The permit fee is only payable at time permit is issued.
  5. Indicate on the permit application the finished area of the house located on the property.
  6. State on application if permit is to include electrical work.
  7. 2 sets of plans are to be submitted showing how the building will be anchored to the ground with size, species, spacing, and grade of all framing members to be shown. If a kit is to be purchased, please furnish sales brochure showing hold-down information. If using manufactured trusses of any size, original KS Engineer’s seals must be on both sets of plans. On structures over 400 square feet, frost- free perimeter footings and slab are required. Plans then must show size, depth and reinforcement and elevations. If any other footing other then a perimeter or trench footing is to be constructed (like a pole barn) plans must have KS Engineer’s seal. If having a garage door, show header size.
  8. Garage door must have a 90 mile wind rated label.
  9. If accessory structure is a garage, a hard surface driveway is needed to attach to existing driveway.

Should you need any reasonable accommodation to assist in making permit, please contact the Codes Administration Division E-Mail or (913) 631-2500 x290.

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City of Shawnee, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203
(913) 631-2500 Fax (913) 631-7351 E-Mail