Environmental Rules in Wichita, KS (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Wichita, Kansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Wichita Municipal Code Sec. 16.32.020 bars introducing anything but stormwater into the city's municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), with a narrow list of exempt flows like lawn irrigation and residential car washing. Even an exempt discharge can be shut down if the Public Works and Utilities director finds it is polluting the MS4 and gives ten days' written notice.
Wichita Bars Non-Stormwater Discharges Into Drains
Significant RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 16.32.020
A.No person shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) any discharge that is not composed entirely of stormwater, except as allowed in subsection B.B.The following nonstormwater discharges are deemed acceptable and not a violation of this section:1.A discharge authorized by, and in full compliance with, an NPDES permit (other than the NPDES pe...
Erosion Control
Wichita requires a grading permit and approved drainage plan for construction that disturbs one acre or more of land; smaller landscaping and gardening projects are exempt from the stormwater management standards that trigger it.
Wichita Grading and Drainage Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 16.32.094
Owners of properties...are exempt from the requirements of sections 16.32.091, 16.32.092, 16.32.093 and 16.32.094 of this chapter.1.Minor land disturbing activities at individual locations, such as gardening, building or grounds maintenance and landscaping, provided that the activity does not result in equal to or greater than one (1) acre of land disturbance;2.Individual utility service connec...
Flood Zones
Wichita requires a separate floodplain development permit before any construction, substantial improvement, or manufactured home placement in a special flood hazard area shown on the FIRM panels dated December 22, 2016. The Superintendent of the Office of Central Inspection, acting as Floodplain Administrator, reviews every application under Wichita Municipal Code Sec. 27.06.090 and Sec. 27.06.100 before work can begin.
Wichita Floodplain Development Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 27.06.090, Sec. 27.06.210
A floodplain development permit shall be required for all proposed construction or other development, including the placement of manufactured homes, in the areas described in section 27.06.030. No person, firm, corporation, or unit of government shall initiate any development or substantial improvements or cause the same to be done without first obtaining a separate floodplain development permi...
Boat Dock Permits
Wichita bans building any dock, pier, or ramp on the Big Arkansas River bank without the Park Board's written OK first.
Wichita Boat Dock Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 9.28.060
It is unlawful for any person to build or construct any pier, dock, ramp, fence, building or other structure within the Big Arkansas River and Bank Area, as designated herein, without the prior written consent of the board of park commissioners.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Wichita requires new or substantially improved homes in the mapped floodplain to raise their lowest floor, including any basement, at least two feet above base flood elevation, and non-residential buildings must either meet that same freeboard or be fully floodproofed. Wichita Municipal Code Sec. 27.06.150 sets the freeboard, floodproofing, and enclosure-venting standards enforced wherever base flood elevation data exists.
Wichita Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 27.06.150
New construction or substantial improvements of any residential structures, including manufactured homes, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated a minimum of two (2) feet above base flood elevation. The elevation of the lowest floor shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer. New construction or substantial improvements of any commercial, industri...
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