

ADUs are allowed in TopekaTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Topeka, KS
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
46,740
Owner-occupied
62%
Zoning districts
47
Avg Home Value
$162,106
Median Lot Size
0.21 acres
Avg Income
$67,854
Residential Types:
46,740 housing units
Residential
100%
Zoning Districts:
51,192 parcels · 47 districts
R1
53%(27,383)
R2
23%(11,719)
PUD
7%(3,408)
M1
4%(2,120)
Other
13%(6,562)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Topeka, KS?
Topeka, KS follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 800 sq ft for an internal or attached ADU
- –Maximum size of 80% of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area for an internal or attached ADU
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 800 sq ft (attached ADU garage area not counted)
- –Maximum size of 50% of the principal dwelling’s gross floor area (attached ADU garage area not counted)
Max Units
- –1 ADU per lot (integrated/attached or detached)
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner of record must occupy either the ADU or principal dwelling.
Parking
- –1 space/ADU (off-street), in addition to the principal dwelling's requirement; no max; exceptions: lots with a single street frontage under 100 ft must use the existing driveway; corner/alley lots may access from the alley or from other frontage; Downtown D-1 and D-3 have no off-street parking requirement.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term residential rental, Type III prohibited in ADUs; detached ADU cannot be used for Type III short-term rental.
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Kansas municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Shawnee County