Environmental Rules in Shawnee County, KS (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Shawnee County, Kansas.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Shawnee County bans any discharge into its storm drainage system that isn't 'entirely of uncontaminated stormwater.' General Code Sec. 23-193 lists common banned contaminants like yard waste, pet waste, oil, paint and lawn chemicals, bars illicit sewer connections, and requires property owners to maintain private drainage systems and open channels.
Shawnee County Stormwater Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsShawnee County Code § 23-193(a)
(a)Prohibitions.(1)No person shall release or cause to be released into the storm drainage system any discharge that is not composed entirely of uncontaminated stormwater, except as allowed in subsection (b) of this section. Common stormwater contaminants include trash, yard waste/grass clippings, lawn chemicals, pet waste, wastewater, oil, petroleum products, cleaning products, paint products,...
Erosion Control
Any construction site in unincorporated Shawnee County that disturbs soil or removes vegetation must implement an approved stormwater pollution prevention plan under General Code Sec. 23-194, using best management practices to stop silt, sediment, concrete washout and mud from leaving the site or reaching public streets.
Shawnee County Construction Erosion Rules
Significant RestrictionsShawnee County Code § 23-194(a)
(a)General requirements for construction sites. The owner of a site of construction activity shall be responsible for compliance with the requirements of this article.(1)Solid waste, industrial waste, yard waste, and any other pollutants or waste on any construction site shall be controlled through the use of best management practices. Waste or recycling containers shall be provided and maintai...
Coastal Development
Kansas is landlocked, so no coastal law applies. Building near the Kansas River, Soldier Creek, or Shunganunga Creek instead triggers floodplain permitting, state Division of Water Resources review, and federal Army Corps of Engineers permits.
Shawnee County Waterway & Floodplain Development
Some RestrictionsK.S.A. 24-126
It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, drainage or levee district, county, city or township, without first obtaining the approval of plans for the same by the chief engineer of the division of water resources, to construct, cause to be constructed, maintain or cause to be maintained, any levee or other such improvement on, along or near any stream of this state which is subject to fl...
Boat Dock Permits
Anyone wanting to place a private dock, buoy, or boat rack on a Shawnee County public fishing area, including Lake Shawnee, must first get written authorization from the director of county parks and recreation under Code Sec. 21-49. Placing one without that sign-off violates the county's park-use rules and can trigger fines and removal.
Shawnee County Lake Shawnee Dock Permits
Significant RestrictionsShawnee County Code Sec. 21-49
Private docks, buoys, and boat racks may not be placed on any public fishing area without written authorization from the director of county parks and recreation.
All Shawnee County ordinances
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