1515 NW Saline Street, Suite 102
Topeka, KS 66618
Phone: (785) 291-5410 Fax: (785) 291-4939
The Planning Department, under the authority and policy direction of the Board of Commissioners of Shawnee County, is responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing County land use policies and regulations; processing and issuing building, zoning, and other development permits; and carrying out long-range community planning. The department provides staff support to the Planning Commission, Metro Board of Zoning Appeals, and County Commission.
On September 23, 2003, the Topeka City Council adopted Ordinance No. 18094 abolishing the Topeka-Shawnee County Planning Department and creating the City of Topeka Planning Department in its place. The action taken by the City of Topeka ended over 40-years of joint planning that existed between the City of Topeka and Shawnee County. As a result, the Shawnee County Board of Commissioners adopted Home Rule Resolution No. 2003-14 on October 6, 2003, establishing the Shawnee County Planning Commission and Planning Department. The action taken by the County Commission reflects their continuing commitment to providing planning services to unincorporated Shawnee County.
To provide cost-efficient and quality service to all segments of the community on land use and building issues through the fair and consistent application of rules and regulations, by encouraging broad participation in land use decisions and access to land use data, and by providing forward-thinking, innovative and solution-oriented advice on community planning, building and resource management issues.