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