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Doniphan Co considering reducing building site requirement

By Greg Bebermeyer

10/31/2025

Doniphan Co Courthouse

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission is considering reducing the 2 acre building site requirement.

According to the unofficial meeting minutes, Northeast Kansas Environmental Services Health Specialist Martha Smith and Zoning Administrator Julie Meng appeared before the Commission Monday to discuss the issue.

From a wastewater standpoint, Smith said the average septic system needs 1,000 square feet, and that much more for future expansion, as well as environmental codes call for a set back distance from wells.

She cautioned the Commissioners that by reducing the acreage requirement there would be limited space for future expansion or relocation of current septic systems should they fail. In addition, Smith said some areas of the county, where poorer soil conditions exist, are not conducive to reducing the acreage requirement for a septic system.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has certain setback requirements and geological factors that also play into the acreage requirements for wastewater systems.

Meng said changing the acreage limit would require amending current environmental and zoning codes.

Chairman Commission Wayne Grable said the county would like to see more houses built in rural areas, but the current 2.0 acreage requirement makes it hard to buy land to build on.