Permitting and Regulatory Processes (Local and State)
Every attempt has been made to provide current, accurate, and consistent data in this database. There may be some differences due to sources, methodologies, or timing of data-assembly.
Permit Process in City of Topeka
The City of Topeka is committed to offering one stop assistance to enable a quick and efficient permitting process. From time of Building Permit Application to Approval is a maximum of 10 working days.
Miriam Berke, Development Services Manager
620 SE Madison Street
Topeka, KS 66607
Phone: 785.368.3704 (Main Permit Office)
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: mberke@topeka.org
Code Requirements for Commercial Projects:
2006 International Building Code
2006 Uniform Mechanical Code
2008 National Electrical Code
2006 Uniform Plumbing Code
2006 Uniform Fire Code
2006 NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code / Existing Occupancies
American with Disabilities Act and Accessibility Guidelines – July 1, 1994
1997 Uniform Code for Building Conservation
Chapter 26 Topeka City Code
Submittal Requirements for Commercial Construction
New construction, additions, accessory structures and interior alteration require submittal of a Building Permit Application, a Plan Submittal Summary Sheet and the following information: (For interior alterations, one can typically omit step five and six)
- Property Address
- Property legal description
- Estimated construction cost
- Approximate square footage
- Number of units if apartment complex
- Eight sealed site plans *
- Three landscape plans
- Two sets of complete construction drawings **
* The eight sealed site plans must indicate property lines, parking, sidewalks, drives, stormwater runoff calculations (a drainage report), building setback lines and all easements of record.
** A complete set of construction drawing includes architectural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and any required special systems plans. New construction projects, additions, most commercial building alterations (interior and exterior) and structural modifications require plans sealed, signed and dated by an architect/engineer register to practice in the State of Kansas. A third set of drawings is required for submittal if the project is located in historical environs or contains a commercial kitchen.
Permits
Fran Hug
Title: Plan Reviewer
Phone: 785.368.1613
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: fhug@topeka.org
Gregg Schell
Title: Compliance Inspector
Phone: 785.368.1609
Fax: 785.368.1650
Email: gschell@topeka.org
Building Inspection Staff
Dave Lundry
Title: Manager Field Services
Phone: 785.368.1615
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: dlundry@topeka.org
Kitty Carr
Title: Office Assistant II (Scheduler)
Phone: 785.368.1617
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: kcarr@topeka.org
Richard Worden
Title: Commercial Building Inspector
Phone: 785.368.1620
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: rworden@topeka.org
Bruce Pfeiffer
Title: Plumbing Inspector
Phone: 785.368.1623
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: bpfeiffer@topeka.org
Leo Martinez
Title: Electrical and Elevator Inspector
Phone: 785.368.1626
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: lmartinez@topeka.org
Jerry Kastner
Title: Mechanical Inspector
Phone: 785.368.1630
Fax: 785.368.3915
Email: jkastner@topeka.org
Shawnee County Permits (outside Topeka city limits)
Zoning Administrator
1515 NW Saline, Suite 200
Topeka, KS 66618
785.233.7702, ext. 6083
State of Kansas
Roadmap to Environmental Permits 
Kansas does not have a Statewide Building Code, as building codes are determined by local jurisdictions, however Kansas does require permitting and environmental regulation. For questions on these issues please contact the resource listed below.
Above Ground Storage Tanks: 785-296-1544
Information about above ground tanks.
Air Emissions Inventory: 785-291-6429
Answers to questions and assistance in determining emissions.
Air Permits: 785-296-6422
Permitting for air emissions including smaller facilities, construction and operating permits.
Air Operating Permit and Compliance Section
Air Construction Permit Section
Air Quality Program: 785-296-1593
Bureau staff provides information on the following:
Acid Rain
Asbestos Certification
Clean Air Act Amendments
Construction and Operating Permits
Emissions Inventory
Incineration
Mobile Source Emissions
Open Burning
Radiation Section
Radon
Right-to-Know
Stack Testing
Hazardous Air Emissions
Asbestos: 785-296-1565
Only certified contractors may remove asbestos. List of certified contractors available.
Asbestos Disposal: 785-296-1689
Information on proper disposal of asbestos.
Bureau of Env. Field Services: 785-296-5565
BEFS includes information about water quality, water quality monitoring, pollution prevention and public advocate. Kansas Environmental News, annual environmental conference.
Burn Permits: 785-296-1544
Information on what wastes may or may not be burned in Kansas. Contact the nearest District Office.
Construction (less than 1 acre): 785-296-5573
Information about construction practices to protect water quality.
Contaminated Soil Disposal: 785-296-1120
Requirements and suggestions for proper disposal.
Environmental Health 785-296-5600
Call this Division of Health bureau for information, complaints, licenses involving:
Lead
Env. Emergencies: 785-296-1679
Environmental Remediation responds to spills and other emergencies.
Env. Remediation: 785-296-1660
Environmental Remediation staff provides information and assist callers in dealing with spills and contaminated sites. Implements Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Act.
Assessment and Restoration
Landfill Remediation
Storage Tank Section (above and below ground)
Remedial Section
Technical Services
Surface Mining
Food borne Illness: 785-296-5600
Report suspected outbreaks of food borne illness (food poisoning).
Food Manufacturing Plants: Kansas Department of Agriculture 785-296-3511
Requirements for manufacturing food products in Kansas.
Global Impacts (Ozone): 785-296-1548
Information about greenhouse gases, ozone depletion and related air pollution.
Grocery Stores: Kansas Department of Agriculture 785-296-3511
Requirements for grocery stores and other food-related businesses.
Hazardous Materials: 785-296-1608
Information about hazardous materials and guideline publications.
Hazardous Waste: 785-296-1600
Information about industrial hazardous waste including small quantity generators, and Kansas generators.
Household Hazardous Waste: 785-296-1611
Batteries, paints, solvents and other home products are hazardous, call for information on proper disposal.
Incineration: 785-296-1570
Air emission permitting for incineration.
Incineration (Municipal Solid Waste): 785-296-1667
Permits, design and operating requirement assistance.
Indoor Air: 785-291-3272
While no program exists for indoor air quality, available information will be provided or inquiries will be referred for additional assistance.
Laboratory Services: 785-296-1639
List of certified environmental laboratories is available.
Lagoons (Industrial): 785-296-6804
Information about lagoons for industries will be provided.
Landfill Disposal Bans: 785-296-1120; 785-296-1601
Information regarding items that may not be disposed of in Kansas landfills.
Lead and Copper: 785-296-5514
Lead and copper testing requirements for public water supplies.
Lead-based Paint Abatement:(866)-UNLEADEDKS
Information about lead removal.
Lead Emissions:
Answers to your questions about lead in the air.
Lead Paint Disposal: 785-296-1120; 785-296-1604
Proper disposal of lead-based paints.
Livestock Disposal: 785-296-1121
Information on the disposal of large numbers of livestock caused by disease or natural disasters.
Local Environmental Protection Plans: 785-296-1683
Information about local programs (LEPP).
Low Level Radioactive Waste: 785-296-1561
Information about radiation, also the contact for radiation and emergency preparedness.
L.U.S.T.: 785-296-1685
Leaking underground storage tanks, trust fund and other information is provided.
Media Relations: 785-296-5795
News media contact for KDHE in the Communications Office.
Medical Waste Incinerator: 785-296-1667; 785-296-1570
Regulations, information for hospitals and other medical facilities regarding incineration. Contact both Bureau of Waste Management and the Bureau of Air and Radiation for current information.
Medical Waste: 785-296-1667
Appropriate disposal and management methods.
Mobile Source Emissions: 785-296-1104
Automobiles are a major source of air pollution in cities, call for information and pollution prevention tips.
Nitrates (Public Water Supply): 785-296-5514
Information and answers to questions about nitrates in public water supplies.
Non-point Source Pollution: 785-296-4195
Information for the general public, farmers and others interested in non-point source pollution issues.
Open Burning: 785-296-1544
Up-to-date information about burning including grasslands and other agricultural related burnings. Also contact local fire officials in your community.
Operator Training Water/Wastewater: 785-296-5511
Opportunities and locations for trainings to be offered.
Operator Training/Swine Certification: 785-296-6432
Opportunities and locations for trainings to be offered.
Paint Disposal and Recycling: 785-296-1600
How to properly handle leftover paints.
Permits - General Information: 785-296-0669
The Roadmap to Environmental Permits will get you started in your search for permitting information.
Pesticides: 785-296-2263
The Ks. Dept. of Agriculture provides information regarding pesticides in their plant health division.
Pollution Prevention: 785-296-6603
Assistance is available to individuals and businesses to reduce pollution. Annual fall conference is sponsored by this office.
Pretreatment: 785-296-5551
Wastewater pretreatment information.
Private Wastewater - Treatment Systems: 785-296-1683
Contact local health departments with specific questions; call KDHE with general inquiries.
Public Advocate: 800-357-6087
The PA provides referrals, answers to questions or concerns for environmental issues.
Public Water Supplies: 785-296-5514
General information about public water supplies.
Radioactive Waste: 785-296-1565
Information and answers to your questions about radioactive waste in Kansas.
Radiation Control: 785-296-1560
General information about radiation.
Radon: 800-693-5343
Information about radon, its health effects, and radon testing.
Recycling: 785-291-3746
Recycling makes a big difference in reducing solid waste. Call for information or with questions.
Regulations: 785-296-4564
Proposed regulations may be obtained through the Secretary of State's office or contact the air, water, waste or remediation programs directly.
Right-to-Know: 785-296-1689
Community Right-to-Know Program provides information about potential chemical hazards in communities.
Riparian Protection and Restoration: 785-296-0694
Practices for riparian areas and stream bank stabilization.
Sewage Pre-Treatment Plants: 785-296-5551
Information about pre-treatment and other related issues for industries.
Sewer Extensions: 785-296-5537
Extending a sewer? Call for information.
Sewer - Feed Yards: 785-296-5570
Feedlots and other animal related sewage systems.
Sewer - Industrial: 785-296-6804
Sewage treatment requirements for industries.
Sewer - Municipal: 785-296-5527
Sewage treatment requirements for cities.
Sewer - Restaurant: 785-296-5527
Call with questions about sewage treatment needs for restaurants.
Small Business Assistance: 800-357-6087
Public Advocate provides referrals, complaints and help for businesses with environmental issues. Kansas Environmental News.
Small Business Assistance: 800-578-8898
Free, confidential assistance to small businesses on environmental issues. www.sbeap.org
Small Quantity Generator: 785-296-1617
Hazardous waste information for those who produce less than 25 kg. per month hazardous waste.
Solid Waste: 785-296-1600
Landfills recycling, other programs related to solid waste/waste management issues.
Solid Waste Grants: 785-296-1540
Several grant programs related to planning, plan implementation, household hazardous waste and general waste management are available.
Special Waste Disposal: 785-296-1120
Authorization to dispose of special non-hazardous waste.
Spills: 785-296-1679
Emergencies handled immediately. Call for assistance or information.
Stack Tests: 785-296-6281
Information about stack testing.
Storage Tanks: 785-296-1678
Storage tank information and permit requirements.
Stormwater:
Up-to-date information on stormwater regulations and practices.
Please call these numbers for assistance:
Industrial Activities: 785-296-4347
Construction Activities: 785-296-5549
Municipalities (MS4): 785-296-5537
Surface Water Quality Standards: 785-296-5508
Call for a copy of this document.
Transfer Stations: 785-296-1667
Design and operational requirements.
Underground Injection Control: 785-296-1843
Recommendations and information.
UST: 785-296-1678
Underground storage tank issues and information.
VOC's: 785-296-1570
Volatile organic chemicals, air permitting issues.
Waste Management Program: 785-296-1600
Bureau staff will answer questions about permits and provide information on:
Hazardous waste
Household hazardous waste
Landfills
Solid waste
Permits
Recycling
Waste oil
Waste minimization
Waste tires
Water Program: 785-296-5500
Bureau of Water staff provides information on the following:
Industrial programs
Livestock Waste Management
Municipal programs
Non-point source pollution
Public water supplies
Water Pollution: 785-296-5500
Pollution control information.
Watersheds: 785-296-4195
Watershed protection and management issues.
Water Watch Newsletter: 785-296-5573
Newsletter concerned with nonpoint source pollution control.
Water Wells: 785-296-3565
Information about construction, reconstruction, plugged or treated water wells.
Wetlands: 785-672-5911
Public wetlands in the State of Kansas.
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