ADU Permits: Overland Park vs Shawnee
How do adu permits rules compare between Overland Park, KS and Shawnee, KS?
Overland Park, KS
Johnson County
Overland Park regulates accessory dwelling units under the Unified Development Ordinance (Title 18 of the Overland Park Municipal Code), administered by Planning + Development Services. An Accessory Unit is defined as a building or addition for living purposes with a maximum footprint of 650 square feet (or the principal-structure footprint for English Basement types). Building permits are issued under the City-adopted 2018 IBC/IRC. Kansas has no statewide ADU statute — KSA 12-741 et seq. delegates zoning to home-rule cities.
View full Overland Park rules →Shawnee, KS
Johnson County
No data available yet for Shawnee.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Overland Park | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Authority | OPMC Title 18 (UDO) | - |
| Filing Office | Planning + Development Services | - |
| Max Footprint | 650 sq ft (Accessory Unit) | - |
| Setbacks (rear yard) | 3 ft interior / 20 ft ROW | - |
| Building Code | 2018 IBC/IRC (OPMC Title 16) | - |
| State Framework | None — KSA 12-741 local | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Overland Park FAQ
Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Overland Park?
Yes. A building permit is required for any habitable accessory dwelling unit, plus separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade permits. Applications are filed with Overland Park Planning + Development Services at 8500 Santa Fe Drive. The Unified Development Ordinance (Title 18 OPMC) caps the accessory unit footprint at 650 square feet and applies the OPMC 18.180.070 rear-yard setbacks (3 ft interior, 20 ft from street right-of-way). Construction must meet the 2018 IBC/IRC adopted under OPMC Title 16.
Does Kansas have a state ADU law?
No. Kansas does not have a statewide ADU framework. KSA 12-741 et seq. delegates zoning to home-rule cities, so all ADU rules are local. Overland Park's standards live in the Unified Development Ordinance (Title 18 OPMC) and are administered by Planning + Development Services. The City began updating the UDO in 2024 — check the current version before designing.
Shawnee FAQ
No FAQs available.
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