Planning Department Applications and Permits

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Rezoning Application

An application for an amendment or change in zoning initiated by a property owner, shall be made to the Planning Commission upon appropriate forms from the Planning and Building Office. Such application shall be made at least thirty (30) days prior to a regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. To request a change or alteration to the zoning designation of a particular parcel or parcels you would need to file a Rezoning Application. The application is available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can fill out the application in pdf format by clicking here and print it off.

For more information review Zoning Regulations Article 23 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.

PROCESS TO REZONE PROPERTY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY KANSAS

Please click HERE to view a handout that summarizes the steps involved to rezone property in the unincorporated area of Franklin County Kansas.

Special Use Permit Application

Franklin County recognizes that certain uses or activities may be desirable or necessary to be located within the community, but that these uses or activities may not be totally compatible with other uses and activities permitted within that zoning district unless limited or specifically restricted in their use or activity. Whenever a zoning district has identified such uses or activities, a Special Use Permit shall be required.To request a change or alteration to the zoning designation of a particular parcel or parcels you would need to file an Application for a Special Use Permit. An application for a Special Use Permit may be initiated by a property owner or authorized agent to the County Planning and Building Department. The application is available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can fill out the application in pdf format by clicking here and print it off.

For more information review Zoning Regulations Article 19 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.

Variance or Exception Application

The Board of Zoning Appeals is authorized to grant an exception or variance from the specific terms of the Zoning Regulations on an individual basis as follows:

  • Granting of the Variance or exception will not be contrary to the intent and purpose of the Zoning Regulations
  • That the Variance or Exception arises from a condition unique to the property in question and not ordinarily found in the same Zoning District and is not created by an action of the property owner.
  • That the Variance or Exception will not adversely affect the public health, safety, morals, convenience, prosperity or general welfare.
  • That the strict application of the provisions of the Zoning Regulations would result in an undue hardship upon the property owner represented in the application.
  • That the Variance or Exception shall not permit any use which is not specifically permitted for that Zoning District.

An application for a Variance or Exception may be initiated by a property owner or authorized agent to the County Planning & Building Office on forms available at the Planning & Building Department or you can fill out the application in pdf format by clicking here and print it off. 

For more information review Zoning Regulations Article 24 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.

Temporary Use Permit Application

A temporary use is the limited or periodic use of a structure or tract of land including seasonal and promotional display and sale of goods, contractor offices during construction and similar activities. A temporary use permit may be issued by the Planning Director unless otherwise specified by the County Zoning Regulations.

An application for a Temporary Use Permit may be initiated by a property owner, or an authorized agent representing a property owner, to the County Planning and Building Office on forms available at the Planning & Building Department or you can fill out the application in pdf format by clicking here and print it off.

For more information review Zoning Regulations Article 26 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.

Subdivisions -- Preliminary and Final Plat Applications

A Subdivision as defined in the adopted Franklin County Subdivision Regulations is any land which is divided or proposed to be divided into two (2) or more lots, parcels, sites, units, tracts, or interest for the purpose of sale, lease, or financing, either on the installment plan or upon any other plan, terms, or conditions, including resubdivision, whether by plat or other recorded instrumentation. For further explanation you can read the 2007 adopted Franklin County Subdivision Regulations. 

Subdivision plats are prepared by a registered land surveyor to describe the precise location and dimension of lots, establish easements, dedicate street rights-of-way, and otherwise describe property to be subdivided and requiring approval of the Planning Commission is a Final Plat. An Application for a Final Plat may be submitted by a property owner or authorized agent to the County Planning and Building Office on forms available in the Planning & Building Department Office or you can download the application in pdf format by clicking here.

A plat for a proposed subdivision of land showing streets, lots, and other features as required by these Subdivision Regulations is a Preliminary Plat. An application for a Preliminary Plat may be submitted by a property owner or authorized agent to the County Planning and Building Office on forms available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can download the application in pdf format by clicking here.

A subdivision or re-subdivision that consists of only two (2), three (3) or four (4) lots that may have the preliminary platting requirements of these Subdivision Regulations waived by the Planning Director is considered a Small Subdivision Plat. An application for a Small Subdivision Plat may be submitted by a property owner or authorized agent to the County Planning and Building Office on forms available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can download the application in pdf format by clicking here.

For more information review Subdivision Regulations Article 2 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.

Lot Split or Boundary Line Adjustment Application

BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT: The relocation of the boundaries between two (2) or more adjoining unplatted properties where no additional tracts are created and any such resulting tracts of land comply with all design requirements for tracts as set forth in the County Zoning Regulations and these Regulations.

LOT SPLIT: The dividing or redividing of a lot or tract of land into not more than two (2) lots or tracts which meet the criteria established by these Subdivision Regulations.

An application for a Boundary Line Adjustment or a Lot Split may be submitted by a property owner or authorized agent to the County Planning and Building Office on forms available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can fill out the application in pdf format by clicking here and print it off.

For more information review Subdivision Regulations Articles 3 and 4 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.

Temporary Hardship Mobile Home

A Temporary Use Permit shall be permitted in any residential or agricultural zoning district containing a minimum of three (3) acres for a hardship mobile home or manufactured home in addition to an existing residence under extreme hardship and subject to the following conditions:

  • The applicant shall clearly state the reason(s) for the hardship.
  • The temporary hardship residence shall be permitted only in a zoning district wherein the minimum lot size for single-family residential units is three (3) acres or greater.
  • All requirements of the Franklin County Sanitation codes shall be met.
  • The applicant shall sign an Temporary Hardship Affidavit for the placement of a temporary hardship mobile home or manufactured home for a period of one (1) year with acknowledgement that failure to remove the temporary hardship home constitutes a zoning violation punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each day of violation. (The affidavit is available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can download the application in pdf format by clicking here).
  • The application for the placement of a temporary hardship mobile home or manufactured home shall include a performance bond in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) to ensure the removal of the temporary hardship mobile home or manufactured home within the specified time frame.
  • A hardship residence shall be limited solely for the use of the tenants of the verified hardship and shall not be rented, leased or otherwise occupied, if for any reason, the hardship or reason of necessity shall cease to exist, said hardship residence shall be removed within thirty (30) days.
  • The temporary placement and use of a hardship residence may be renewed or extended upon verification by the Planning Director that the hardship continues to exist. Each application for a renewal or time extension may be approved for a period of one (1) year and shall be submitted to the Planning Department fifteen (15) days prior to the expiration date of the previously approved hardship residence.

An application for a Temporary Use Permit may be submitted by a property owner or authorized agent to the County Planning and Building Office on forms available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can fill out the application in pdf format by clicking here and print it off.

For more information review Zoning Regulations Article 26 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.

Sign Permit Application

Unless otherwise exempt as provided in Section 22-4 of these Zoning Regulations, no new sign shall hereafter be constructed, erected, attached, supported or hung on a building, wall or structural support and no existing sign shall be altered, rebuilt, extended in height, replaced, relocated or expanded until a permit has been issued by the Planning Director.

In addition to these Zoning Regulations, all provisions of the Kansas Highway Advertising and Control Act must be met for any sign within three hundred (300) feet of any State or Federal highway.

An application for a Sign Permit may be submitted by a property owner or authorized agent to the Franklin County Planning and Building Office on forms available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can download the application by clicking here and print it off.

Floodplain Development Permit Application

Franklin County currently participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This is a federal program established through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that assures flood insurance will be available for County property owners.

One of the criteria for eligibility to participate in the NFIP is the approval of a "Floodplain Development Permit". Floodplain Development Permits are required for all structures, or other developments, including certain grading, that is located within the Special Flood Hazard Boundaries as determined and shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps prepared by FEMA.

The application forms for Floodplain Development Permits are available at the Planning & Building Department Office or you can fill out the application in pdf format by clicking here and print it off. The Floodplain Development Permit cost $50.00.

For more information review Zoning Regulations Article 17 or download the information in pdf format by clicking here.