Kansas City permits accessory dwelling units, called accessory living quarters, in R-1, R-2, R-5, and R-6 zoning districts under KCMO Zoning and Development Code Section 88-305-09. Permits are issued through the City Planning and Development Department.
Under KCMO Code Section 88-305-09, accessory living quarters (the KC term for ADUs) are allowed as an accessory use to a single-family dwelling in most residential districts. The unit may be attached, detached, or within the principal dwelling. Applicants submit a building permit through the City Planning and Development Department, with plan review by Development Services. The maximum floor area is 800 square feet or 50 percent of the principal dwelling, whichever is less. The lot must contain only one principal dwelling, and one off-street parking space is required for the ALQ in addition to parking for the principal dwelling. Detached ALQs must meet accessory structure setback standards under Section 88-310. Missouri has no statewide ADU preemption law, so KCMO retains full local discretion.
Building an ALQ without a permit triggers a stop-work order under KCMO Code Section 88-565 and Notice of Violation from Neighborhood Services, with fees doubling on after-the-fact permits. Continued non-compliance can lead to municipal court citation under Chapter 56.
Kansas City, MO
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See how Kansas City's adu permits rules stack up against other locations.
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