Valley Center, KS - Official Website

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Building Permits

1. Do I need a permit to build or remodel my home?: Yes. Building permits and inspections are required in the City of Valley Center. Call us at (316) 755-7310 for information and assistance.

2. Do I need a permit to set a mobile or manufactured home in Valley Center?: Yes, a permit and inspection are required before utilities can be hooked up. Call (316) 755-7310 for assistance.

3. Do I need a permit to build a fence?: Yes. A zoning permit is required. The fence can not be placed upon any easements.

4. Where can I set a mobile home in Valley Center?: A mobile home is allowed in a mobile home park. The mobile home can not be more than 15 years old.

5. What size do the footings for my new house need to be and how far under grade do they need to be?: It depends on measurements of structure. Call Sedgwick County Code Enforcement at (316) 660-1840 for more information.

6. Can I wire my new home myself?: Yes, if it is done according to the 2014 National Electrical Code and upon satisfactory completion of the Sedgwick County homeowner's test. Contact Sedgwick County Code Enforcement at (316) 660-1840.

7. Can I install electrical wiring in my new garage or when finishing my basement?: Yes, if it is done according to the 2014 National Electrical Code and upon satisfactory completion of the Sedgwick County homeowner's test. Contact Sedgwick County Code Enforcement at (316) 660-1840.

8. I am going to put a bedroom in the basement. Do I need an escape window?: Yes, the code requires an egress out of every bedroom for your safety.

9. Can I put a window in the wall separating my house and my attached garage? How about a door with a window?: No, a fire separation wall must be maintained.

10. How far can a liquefied petroleum (LP) gas tank be from my house, property line, or any building?: *10 ft. for a tank of 500 gallons or less;
*25 ft. for a tank of 501-2000 gallons;
*50 ft. for a tank over 2000 gallons.

11. What kind of material can be used to provide LP gas service to my house?: *L or K grade copper with flare fittings at tank and unit;
*Metallic piping with approved coating or wrapping material;
*Plastic gas piping with metallic risers (fuse only) also need locator wire in trench.

12. What size do my floor joists need to be?: It depends on the type of material. Call Sedgwick County Code Enforcement at (316) 660-1840 for more information.

13. Do my stairs have to be even?: Yes, code requires not more than 3/8" difference total.

14. When do I need handrails on my steps?: Handrails are needed when you have four or more risers. Guardrails are needed when you are more than 30" off the ground.

15. How much headroom clearance does the building code require for staircases?: Staircases require 6'8" headroom.

16. Can I do my own plumbing?: *If it is a new home, you must first pass the homeowners test available by calling Sedgwick County Code Enforcement at (316) 660-1840;
*If it is repair work, yes;
*If it is a room addition, yes, if done by code.

17. How deep does gas service need to be?: *12" for metallic (steel)
*18" for plastic

18. What kind of material can be used for waste lines and vents?: *ABS/Schedule 40
*PVC/Schedule 40
Cast Iron
*Lead, Copper or Brass

19. How deep does PVC conduit have to be buried?: A minimum of 18" of dirt needs to be over the pipe.

20. Do I need a permit to install a culvert.: Yes. Call (316) 755-7320 for a culvert permit.

21. Can I build a permanent structure in the utility easement?: No, you may not.

22. As the owner, can I be the general contractor of my own residence?: Yes, once every three years.

23. A detached structure of more than 400 square feet requires how many rows of rebar horizontally in the footing?: Three rows of #4 rebar.

24. When building a new residence, how many feet can the residence be from the edge of the road before a road approval is required?: 150 feet is required.

25. How do I obtain a road approval?: *Apply for a road approval at Community Development (316) 755-7310
*Call the Valley Center Fire Department for an inspection (316) 755-7303.

26. What specifications are required to obtain a road approval for the road?: *Address posted
*20' unobstructed width
*13'6" of unobstructed vertical clearance
*All-weather surface (rock, gravel, etc.)
*Turnaround space provided

27. Do I need a permit to replace my furnace or water heater?: *Yes, a permit is required, and an inspection is performed to ensure the safety of the installation.
*If installing a furnace or water heater yourself, call (316) 755-7310 for advice, assistance, and a permit.
*If you are paying someone else to install it, call (316) 755-7310 to make sure he or she is licensed to perform such work in Valley Center. After it is installed, make sure your contractor calls Sedgwick County Code Enforcement (316) 660-1840 for an inspection.

28. Do I need a permit to build or place a storage shed in my backyard?: *Any shed less than 100 square feet will not need a permit.
*Any shed between 100 and 200 square feet will need a zoning permit.
*Any shed over 200 square feet will need a building permit.

29. Do you have any questions that are not answered in this section?: Please call us at (316) 755-7310 from 8:00 am too 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

30. Who does the inspections for Valley Center?: Valley Center Public Works inspects driveways, water and sewer hookups, culverts and grading. For an inspection by Valley Center Public Works, call (316) 755-7320. Valley Center Community Development inspects all residential building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical projects. For inspections by Valley Center Community Development, call (316) 755-7310. Sedgwick County Code Enforcement inspects all commercial building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical projects. For inspections by Sedgwick County Code Enforcement, call (316) 660-1840. Valley Center Community Development issues the occupancy permit for all new residential and commercial uses. For occupancy, call (316) 755-7310.