What are the typical residential setbacks in Kansas City?

In R-5 zones, front setbacks are 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet with 45% lot coverage and 35-foot height max. R-7.5 zones have 40% coverage. R-10 zones require 30-foot front and 8-foot side setbacks. Corner lots require front setbacks on both street sides. Check KCMO Open Data for your zoning.

Am I in Kansas City, Missouri or Kansas?

The Kansas City metropolitan area spans two states. If your property is in KCMO, apply through the City Planning and Development Department. If you're in Kansas City, Kansas (KCK/Wyandotte County), you apply through the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Verify your jurisdiction before applying.

What stormwater management is required?

Projects disturbing 1 acre+ need stormwater management plans per KC Water. Water quality treatment and detention required. Much of older KC has combined sewers where green infrastructure is encouraged. Monthly stormwater utility fees apply with green infrastructure credits.

What historic district requirements apply?

The Landmarks Commission reviews projects in districts including Country Club Plaza, Westport, Hyde Park, Janssen Place, and Union Hill. Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work. Missouri offers 25% state historic tax credits plus 20% federal credits. Review adds 30-60 days.

What tax incentives are available?

Kansas City offers Chapter 353 tax abatement (25-year), LCRA abatement for urban core, Enhanced Enterprise Zone state credits, and TIF financing. These incentives affect economics but not site plan requirements. Check eligibility through the Planning Department.

How do I submit plans?

Submit through permits.kcmo.org for online review. Walk-in at 414 E. 12th Street, City Hall, 15th Floor. Residential permits take 10-15 business days.

What landscaping and screening is required?

Chapter 88 requires landscaping and screening buffers between incompatible uses. Parking lot landscaping includes interior islands and perimeter planting. Screening (fences, walls, or dense plantings) required where commercial or multi-family abuts single-family zones.

How long does plan review take?

Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. Landmarks Commission review adds 30-60 days. Stormwater review is concurrent. Tax abatement applications are separate processes.

Kansas City Site Plan Requirements & Permit Guide (2025)

By Site Plan Creator Team • March 6, 2026

Guide to creating site plans for building permits in Kansas City, including the zoning and development code requirements.

Kansas City Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Kansas City, Missouri requires meeting specific requirements set by the City Planning and Development Department. Kansas City's development is governed by Chapter 88 (Zoning and Development Code) of the Kansas City Code of Ordinances, with unique considerations including the Kansas City/Missouri border (ensure you are applying to the correct jurisdiction), stormwater management per KC Water, and the city's tax abatement incentive programs.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Kansas City Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The City Planning Department requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Chapter 88 and the International Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through the KCMO Open Data portal at data.kcmo.org.

Required Site Plan Elements

Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
Setbacks per Chapter 88
Existing and proposed structures with dimensions and height
Lot coverage calculation
Parking spaces per Chapter 88
Landscaping and screening
Stormwater management features per KC Water standards
North arrow and scale
Jackson County parcel number

Kansas City Zoning and Setback Requirements

R-5 (Single-Family, 5,000 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 45%. Height max 35 feet.
R-7.5 (Single-Family, 7,500 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 40%.
R-10 (Single-Family, 10,000 sq ft lot): Front 30 feet, side 8 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 35%.
R-20 through R-60 (Estate): Increasing lot sizes and setbacks.
R-2.5 (Townhouse): Front 15 feet, side 0/5 feet, rear 20 feet.
R-80 through R-150 (Multi-Family): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet.
Corner lots: Both street frontages require front setback distances.

Stormwater Management Requirements

Kansas City's stormwater is managed by KC Water:

Stormwater management plan: Required for projects disturbing 1 acre or more, or creating significant impervious surface
Water quality treatment: Required per KC Water's BMP manual
Detention: Required to attenuate post-development runoff to pre-development rates
Combined sewer areas: Much of older Kansas City has combined sewers; green infrastructure reduces CSO impacts
Stormwater utility fee: Monthly KC Water fee based on impervious surface with credits for green infrastructure
Stream buffers: Required along streams and waterways

Historic Preservation Requirements

Landmarks Commission reviews projects in designated historic districts and for individual landmarks
Historic districts: Including Country Club Plaza, Westport, Hyde Park, Janssen Place, and Union Hill
Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work in local districts
Missouri and federal historic tax credits: Missouri offers 25% state credit for certified rehabilitation of historic structures
Landmarks review adds 30-60 days

Tax Abatement and Incentive Programs

Kansas City offers significant development incentives:

Chapter 353 Tax Abatement: 25-year property tax abatement for redevelopment projects in eligible areas
Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA): Tax abatement for urban core projects
Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ): State tax credits for development in designated zones
TIF (Tax Increment Financing): Available for qualifying projects
These incentives may affect project economics and timeline but not site plan requirements

How to Submit

Online Portal

Submit through KCMO's online permitting portal at permits.kcmo.org.

In-Person

Walk-in at 414 E. 12th Street, City Hall, 15th Floor.

Permit Fees and Timeline

Fees: Per fee schedule based on construction cost
Timeline: Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. Landmarks review adds 30-60 days.

Creating Your Kansas City Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Kansas City property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Kansas City?: In R-5 zones, front setbacks are 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 25 feet with 45% lot coverage and 35-foot height max. R-7.5 zones have 40% coverage. R-10 zones require 30-foot front and 8-foot side setbacks. Corner lots require front setbacks on both street sides. Check KCMO Open Data for your zoning.
Am I in Kansas City, Missouri or Kansas?: The Kansas City metropolitan area spans two states. If your property is in KCMO, apply through the City Planning and Development Department. If you're in Kansas City, Kansas (KCK/Wyandotte County), you apply through the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Verify your jurisdiction before applying.
What stormwater management is required?: Projects disturbing 1 acre+ need stormwater management plans per KC Water. Water quality treatment and detention required. Much of older KC has combined sewers where green infrastructure is encouraged. Monthly stormwater utility fees apply with green infrastructure credits.
What historic district requirements apply?: The Landmarks Commission reviews projects in districts including Country Club Plaza, Westport, Hyde Park, Janssen Place, and Union Hill. Certificate of Appropriateness required for exterior work. Missouri offers 25% state historic tax credits plus 20% federal credits. Review adds 30-60 days.
What tax incentives are available?: Kansas City offers Chapter 353 tax abatement (25-year), LCRA abatement for urban core, Enhanced Enterprise Zone state credits, and TIF financing. These incentives affect economics but not site plan requirements. Check eligibility through the Planning Department.
How do I submit plans?: Submit through permits.kcmo.org for online review. Walk-in at 414 E. 12th Street, City Hall, 15th Floor. Residential permits take 10-15 business days.
What landscaping and screening is required?: Chapter 88 requires landscaping and screening buffers between incompatible uses. Parking lot landscaping includes interior islands and perimeter planting. Screening (fences, walls, or dense plantings) required where commercial or multi-family abuts single-family zones.
How long does plan review take?: Residential 10-15 business days. Commercial 20-30 business days. Landmarks Commission review adds 30-60 days. Stormwater review is concurrent. Tax abatement applications are separate processes.

How to Create a Site Plan in Kansas City

Verify Jurisdiction and Look Up Property: Confirm you're in KCMO (not KCK). Use KCMO Open Data at data.kcmo.org to find zoning, historic district status, and lot dimensions. Note your Jackson County parcel number.
Determine Requirements and Incentives: Check setbacks, lot coverage, historic district status, stormwater thresholds, and available tax incentives (Chapter 353, LCRA, EEZ, TIF).
Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Kansas City address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per Chapter 88.
Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, landscaping/screening, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
Prepare Supporting Documents: For historic districts, prepare Landmarks Commission application. Prepare stormwater management plans per KC Water. Apply for tax incentives through separate processes.
Submit Through Online Portal: Upload plans through permits.kcmo.org. Pay fees and track status.
Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Attend Landmarks Commission meetings if required. Once approved, pay fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.