City of Shawnee | Shawnee Connect

Codes Division

Residential Room Addition Building Permit Guidelines

The following information is required to be submitted:

  1. A complete, signed Residential Room Addition Permit Application (pdf).
  2. Obtain two (2) recent originals, no older than six (6) months, (keep one for your records) scaled pre-construction staked plot plan, sealed by a Kansas Registered Land Surveyor, showing the size and location of the addition with respect to all platted building lines, and existing structures on the lot. No mortgage title survey or old plot survey will be accepted.
  3. Two (2) sets of foundation, framing and roofing plans showing elevations. Plans should show relevant features such as doors, windows, stairs, headers, and the use of each room labeled (i.e. bedroom, den, etc.).  See Reviewed Items  Note: Plans for room additions with piered foundation systems (non-continuous) shall be prepared and sealed by a Kansas Registered Architect or Engineer.
  4. Payment for the building permit may be accepted by cash, check or credit card (Master Card and Visa only). Checks should be made payable to the City of Shawnee. Charges are based on the Building Permit Fees.
  5. A City of Shawnee Business License is required for any contractor performing work in the City of Shawnee. For more information please contact the City Clerk's office at 913-631-2500, ext 240. In addition, the contractor must have a valid Class A, B, or C Johnson County Contractor’s License (913) 715-2233.

Other Information:

The 2003 International Residential Code is the adopted construction code applicable to single family additions.

Should you need any reasonable accommodations to assist in making permit application, please contact the Codes Administration Division at (913) 631-2500, ext 290.

Reviewed Items

DEFINITION: Room addition is any structure that is connected to the house with a roof that water can’t go through and therefore enlarges the footprint of the house.  A new screened porch or sunroom is considered a new room addition. An attic conversion which is not extending the roof line would be considered a remodel and would only need a miscellaneous permit explaining the remodel.

REQUIRED ITEMS NEEDED:
  1. All room additions need a new staked plot survey showing the new room dated within the last 6 months. (The only exception would be an area 100 square feet or smaller that is to be within the confines of the house and will not be heated or cooled.)
  2. All room additions must have 2 sets of scaled plans showing:
  • Elevations from all directions.
  • Details on footing and foundation with depth, width, reinforcement, location of anchor bolts, and sizes of all column pads.
  • Framing details on sizes, type, location, direction, and spans for floor joists, ceiling joists, rafters, headers, beams and support columns.
  • Roof information showing load paths, size, spacing, species of framing members, type and pitch of roof, and if using manufactured trusses. (Truss layout and design must have original seal of a registered KS. engineer or architect and needs to be submitted to the City by the rough-in phase of construction).
  • Uses of all rooms.
  • Every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue opening. Dimension of opening should be shown on plans.
  • The building code specifically requires that the smoke detection system throughout the house be upgraded to meet the current code requirements. Smoke alarms shall be in each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, on each additional story, including basements. Alarms are to be interconnected so that the actuation of one alarm will activate the others.
  • The removal of any existing wall over six feet must have KS engineer’s seal on plans.
  • Entrance to new area must be shown on plans.
  • Landings should be shown on plans at each exterior door with risers of two or more. If the walking surface of the landing will be over 30”, the landing must be shown on the plot survey.
  • Details are needed on any stairway. The minimum tread length must be at least ten inches; maximum riser height can be no more then 7¾ inches, and head clearance should be at least 6’8”.  Width of stairs need to be at least three feet. Details must be shown on any winding or circular stairways.
  1. Handrails are needed for stairs with four or more risers.
  2. Tempered glass at areas that code considers dangerous (See IRC 2003, R308).
  3. New habitable areas (requiring heating and cooling) shall be insulated according to the Johnson County Energy Code which is:
  • R-values for habitable spaces are:

Wall = 13
Ceiling=38
Cathedral (vaulted) ceiling=30
Floors over outside are=30
Floors over unheated spaces=19
Basement wall=9

Exception: Insulation is not required for concrete or masonry portions of basement walls that are adjacent to unfinished space unless they are more than 50% above grade. Insulation where required shall be from the top of the basement floor, whichever is less.

  • U-values

All windows except those that don’t open shall have the National Fenestration Rating label that indicates the U-factor of 0.40. Fixed windows must be radon and argon filled.

  1. Physical Security Code on new area.

Additional Information will be needed on:

GARAGE

  • No opening is allowed between the garage and a sleeping room.
  • Ducts in the garage and penetrating wall or ceiling separating the dwelling from the garage shall be constructed of a minimum No. 26 (0.48) sheet steel or other approved material and shall have no openings in the garage.
  • Door of garage to residence must be either: Solid wood not less than 1 3/8”, Honeycombe core steel not less than 1 3/8”, or be 20-minute fire-rated.
  • Garage dwelling separation must have 5/8”X sheetrock on walls common with the house.
  • Garage door should have wind rated label stating the door will withstand wind of 90 mph.
  • Instructions on garage door assembly should be taped inside the door so the inspector can check the assembly.
  • Driveway should have a hard surface, either concrete, asphalt or paver-brick to where is connects to existing driveway or road.
  • Plans should show bracing details needed where less than 4’ of lateral bracing is provided at corner of wall, i.e. by garage door.

SUNROOMS/ROOFED SCREEN PORCHES (It’s the attached roof to the house that makes it a room addition)

  • If addition will not be on a perimeter frost-free footing but supported by piers like on a deck, plans must be sealed by a KS Engineer.
  • Show details on plans of the attachment.
  • The roof to the existing house.
  • The supporting vertical framing members to the roof.
  • Framing members to footing.

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