Zoning Guide

Wichita Zoning & Land Use Guide

Sources checked· 2026-10-04
Last updated: Verified:

Key Zoning Facts

Local Zoning / Building Office
Wichita-Sedgwick County Planning316-268-4421
Building Code Edition
MABCD local adoption: 2024 IBC and 2024 IEBC; 2018 IRC for one- and two-family residential work
ADU / Accessory Apartment
Yes
Example District
SF-20 — Single-Family 20
Max Height
35 ft; up to 45 ft when structure is at least 25 ft from all lot lines

Regulatory Layers That Apply in Wichita

Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.

Federal

State — Kansas

  • Building Code: No mandatory statewide residential code; MABCD currently lists 2024 IBC/IEBC and 2018 IRC among the locally adopted City/County codes.
View Kansas zoning overview

County — Sedgwick County

  • Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning

City / Municipal

The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.

Overlay Districts

No overlay districts identified.

Private Restrictions

  • Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
  • Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.

Primary Zoning Districts

SF-20Single-Family 20
Min Lot
20,000 sq ft
Max Height
35 ft; up to 45 ft when structure is at least 25 ft from all lot lines
Front Setback
25 ft
Side Setback
10 ft interior / 20 ft street side
Rear Setback
25 ft
SF-10Single-Family 10
Min Lot
10,000 sq ft
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
25 ft
Side Setback
10 ft interior / 20 ft street side
Rear Setback
25 ft
SF-5Single-Family 5
Min Lot
5,000 sq ft
Max Height
35 ft
Front Setback
25 ft
Side Setback
6 ft interior / 15 ft street side
Rear Setback
20 ft

Permit Costs & Timelines

Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines

Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.

Check current Wichita permit information →

Official Sources

City-specific

Wichita-Sedgwick County Planningwichita.govOfficial sourceWichita Map Search — GISwichita.govOfficial sourceWichita Accessory Apartments — Current Regulationswichita.govOfficial sourceMABCD Current Adopted Codessedgwickcounty.orgOfficial sourceWichita Municipal Codelibrary.municode.comOfficial source

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an accessory apartment in Wichita?
Accessory apartments are possible, but the City's current Accessory Apartments page says they require Conditional Use in RR, SF-20, SF-10, SF-5, TF-3, MH, and NO zoning districts. Confirm the current process with Wichita-Sedgwick County Planning before applying.
What zones allow multi-family housing in Wichita?
Wichita uses several residential and mixed-use zoning districts. Check the official GIS zoning layer and Unified Zoning Code for the specific parcel and proposed use rather than relying on a citywide summary.