Wichita ADU permit requirements
Last reviewed: June 22, 2026
Quick answer
Permitting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Wichita, Kansas means pulling a building permit from the local authority that issues it. ArchPermit tracks 12 source-cited requirements (8 required, the rest conditional) for this jurisdiction. Submittals go through MABCD Portal (Sedgwick County) + Planning (zoning). These requirements were last reviewed June 22, 2026; confirm the exact forms and fees with the local permitting authority.
A source-cited checklist of what an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) permit package needs in City of Wichita. Every item links to its authoritative source; items that vary are flagged to confirm locally.
An ADU is an 'Accessory Apartment' in the Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code. In most low-density residential districts (RR, SF-20, SF-10, SF-5, TF-3, MH, NO) it is NOT as-of-right. It currently requires Conditional Use approval by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission; it is already by-right in MF-18/MF-29/office/commercial districts. So an ADU is a two-track process: a zoning/land-use approval (Planning) then a building permit (MABCD, a Sedgwick County department serving the City). One ADU per lot, kept under the same ownership as the principal dwelling (no condo split), with shared water/sewer. A Dec-2025 amendment to move this to a lighter Administrative Permit / by-right was proposed but, as of the latest record, NOT yet adopted; verify the current path before relying on a lighter one.
- Building Site Planrequired
Structure location, property boundaries, setbacks, distances to other structures, and utilities. Required for new residential construction.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Certified Ownership List (title company)required
A current ownership list certified by a title company, with the legal description and names/addresses of owners within the notice radius.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Conditional Use Application (signed by all owners)required
Completed Conditional Use application (current zoning pathway) for the accessory apartment, signed by all owners; residential filing fee + sign fee.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Construction / Building Plans (single-page, to scale)required
Floor plans, elevations, sections, and structural details demonstrating IRC compliance, uploaded as single pages into Electronic Plan Review.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Legal Description + PIN / Tax-Key Numberrequired
Required to open any residential permit (provide the legal description and PIN; filed deed if unplatted).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - MABCD Form #16: Residential Building Permit Applicationrequired
Address, legal/parcel, contractor + license, owner, type of improvement, sub-trades, utility/sewer/water, square footage, and valuation (filed as New Building / 1-family).
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Same-Ownership / Shared-Utility Compliancerequired
The ADU must stay under the same ownership as the principal dwelling (no condo split) and share its water & sewer service.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Zoning Site Plan (per Site Plan Guidelines)required
To scale with title, north arrow, dimensions, legal description, existing structures/features, and all required setbacks & easements.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Architect/Engineer Sealconditionalverify locally
Kansas law requires most plans be sealed by a licensed design professional, with exceptions; a small single-family ADU may qualify for an exception; confirm with MABCD.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Floodplain Development Permitconditional
Required only if the parcel is in a local/FEMA floodplain; show the floodplain and minimum pad elevation.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Septic / Alternate-Sewage Permit (Health Dept)conditional
Required only where public sewer is unavailable; the ADU must share the principal dwelling's service.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22 - Trade Permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)conditional
Separate trade permits/subcontractor info for the trades involved, identified on Form #16.
source · reviewed 2026-06-22
Wichita ADU permit questions
- Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Wichita?
- Yes. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Wichita requires a building permit. ArchPermit tracks 12 cited requirements for this jurisdiction (8 required, the rest conditional). Always confirm the exact forms, fees, and code edition with the local permitting authority that issues the permit.
- What does an ADU permit package require in Wichita?
- Core required items include: Building Site Plan; Certified Ownership List (title company); Conditional Use Application (signed by all owners); Construction / Building Plans (single-page, to scale); Legal Description + PIN / Tax-Key Number; MABCD Form #16: Residential Building Permit Application, plus 2 more. Each requirement links to its authoritative source, and nothing is permit-ready until an independent licensed professional reviews and seals it.
- How are ADU permits submitted in Wichita?
- Wichita accepts permit submittals via MABCD Portal (Sedgwick County) + Planning (zoning). ArchPermit prepares a draft package you can submit there after a licensed architect reviews and seals it.