Provisional ballots are for voters and poll workers alike that encounter issues with an attempted vote, usually involving the voter's registration status. i.e. change of address, name change, name not listed in poll book, went to wrong precinct etc. All provisional ballots are researched thoroughly. If the voter is a valid Douglas County registrant and everything else is in order then YES, your ballot will count. If you end up voting out of precinct then only those races or questions that would be on your correct ballot will count.

Fireworks are allowed at public parks and lakes in the county. These are the prohibited areas:

Only one residence is allowed per land tract. A recent change to the zoning regulations has allowed an option to create additional housing while maintaining the rural character of unincorporated Douglas County. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are intended to provide an independent living area for residents with health issues or disabilities, in close proximity to a caretaker, and provide housing for persons employed on a farm.

No accessory building can be constructed on a lot unless the construction of the primary dwelling has been permitted. An accessory use must be accessory to a primary use. 

An existing vested residential parcel with less than the minimum acreage required in the Douglas County Zoning Regulations may be eligible to be sold as a residential parcel if the Douglas County sanitation requirements are met. Specific properties should be discussed with the county sanitarian and Zoning and Codes. A new parcel with less than 3 acres in area is not permitted with or without an existing residence on it.

Each building lot is required to have its own driveway and meet the county road classification standards for road frontage. Sharing a driveway would constitute a private road, which is no longer permitted.

All buildings/accessory buildings require a building permit. The only structures exempt from this process are:

Click this link for a guide that will help you locate and utilize the Douglas County Property Viewer. Would you like to research, or learn more about a parcel in the county? Who services water or electric for a parcel? Is my parcel in the floodplain? What is my zoning? Am I in the Urban Growth Area? What is the parcel or pin number for my property? How much road frontage do you have and how much will you need to build?

Vendors may apply for a fireworks permit by submitting a site plan, proof of sales tax, legal description and property owner's name to the County Zoning & Codes Department. The sale of fireworks or use of fireworks is allowed on July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of each year only. 

Addresses are not assigned to vacant parcels.  Addresses are assigned by the Zoning and Codes Department when a landowner applies for a residential or commercial building permit.  Addresses are typically based on the location where the entrance meets the public road.

The definition appears in Article 8, Section 20-815 (Interpretations, Rules of Construction and Definitions) of the Subdivision Regulations:Plat (or Subdivision Plat) — A complete and exact map representing a Tract of land, showing the boundaries and location of individual Lots, Easements, and Streets which has been approved by the Planning Commission and recorded in the office of the County Register of Deeds. The term includes a Replat.

Building Permit fees are determined by the valuation. For example, the permit for a $100,000 residence would be $993.75. Please click this link for all Zoning and Codes fees. For more information, contact the Zoning & Codes Department at 3755 E 25th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044, Phone: 785-331-1343 Fax: 785-842-1201

If the property is outside the city limits, property owners or realtors may call the County Zoning Department to determine whether property is in the floodplain. Additionally, you may utilize the Public Property Viewer to view current floodplain maps.

Setbacks will vary by the type of structure and type of road frontage classification and zoning.  Here is a breakdown for typical building construction in the agricultural district of Douglas County.  For Residential Building:  Front setbacks vary by the classification of the public road.  This is the breakdown of front setbacks by road frontage classification:

  1.       Footing (Prior to Pouring Concrete)  2.       Foundation (Prior to Pouring Concrete)  3.       Temporary Power Poles  4.       Under slab Plumbing (Prior to Pouring Concrete)  5.       Rough-in Plumbing and Final Plumbing  6.       Rough-in Electrical and Final Electrical

With the assistance of the Zoning office to confirm that your parcel is buildable, these are the typical items we need to obtain a building permit.  Depending on the structure (residential, accessory building, shed, swimming pools, etc.), some items may not be necessary for your specific project:

The County adopted the Public Road Access Management Standard on October 25, 2006, where all the County roads are now classified with different road frontage requirements for each road classification. Please view the Access Management Standards Chart for additional information.

The size of lot requirement has changed throughout the years.  We recommend calling the Zoning & Codes Department for land buildability.  You can contact us by phone:  785.331.1343 or by email: zoning@dgcoks.gov .  Our office is located at 3755 E 25th Street, Lawrence, KS  66046.

Homeowners may do their own electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.  If they do not have a Licensed Master Electrician/Plumber/Mechanic reviewing and taking responsibility for their work, they will need to submit applicable wiring, plumbing, or HVAC diagrams and details for review.   If the inspection of the homeowner's work should fail twice, the work will be required to have a Licensed Master Electrician/Plumber/Mechanic correct and complete the work.

Conditional Use Permits allow certain uses in a permitted Zoning District without changing the Zoning. To begin the procedure, a site plan and application must be submitted to the Planning & Development Services Department. You can contact the Planning and Development Services department by phone at 785-832-7700 or by email at planning@lawrenceks.org.

One mill is $1.00 per 1,000 of assessed valuation.  For a home that is valued at $200,000, the assessed value would be 11.5% or $23,000.  One mill would be $23 in tax dollars.

This is the taxable value of a property.  The rates used are set in the State Constitution.  For residential property it is 11.5%, commercial property is 25% and state assessed properties are 33.0%.

The county voters passed a 1.0% countywide sales tax in 1994.  The countywide sales tax goes to the county and cities based on formulas.  The main purpose of this tax for the county was to build a new jail and health facility, and to reduce ad valorem taxes.

The county follows a calendar year, January to December.

The annual budget provides the county with expenditure authority and authority to levy taxes to finance the expenditures.  It provides a financial plan on how the expenditures will be spent, including personnel, contractual services, and capital expenditures.