Johnson County, KS Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- 1 acre or more disturbed
- Enforcing agency
- Public Works and Infrastructure Dept.
- Fine range
- $100–$500 per day
- Small-site exemption
- Under 1 acre, no LD permit
- Ag exemption
- Agricultural land uses exempt
Summary
Disturbing an acre or more of land in unincorporated Johnson County requires an LD permit and an approved stormwater pollution prevention plan before any grading or clearing starts.
(a)Unless exempt, no person shall undertake any land disturbing activity without first obtaining a LD permit. ... (c)(3)Land disturbing activities of less than one acre. For purposes of this article, land disturbing activities that are part of a larger, phased, staged, or common plan of development shall be considered a single site for purposes of calculating the disturbed area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Resolutions: Supplement 14).
Full Breakdown
County Code Chapter 62, Article II makes it unlawful to undertake land disturbing activity without first obtaining a Land Disturbance (LD) permit from the Public Works and Infrastructure Department. Applicants must submit a site-specific stormwater pollution prevention plan, a grading plan, and pollutant-control measures that meet the county's design manual and the state KDHE general permit. Projects disturbing less than one acre are exempt from the permit itself but must still follow the county's erosion and sediment control standards for small building sites. Agricultural land uses are also exempt, though they must still meet federal and state erosion standards.
Violations & Fines
Violating the article, including working without a required LD permit or ignoring a stop work order, is a Class H infraction: a fine of $100 to $500 per violation, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to grade my lot in unincorporated Johnson County?
What happens if I disturb land without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Johnson County
Compare Johnson County to another location·View the Kansas environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.