ADUs are allowed in Kansas CityTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Kansas City, KS
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
56,561
Owner-occupied
58%
Zoning districts
46
Median Lot Size
0.20 acres
Avg Income
$68,570
Residential Types:
56,561 housing units
Single Family
75%
2-3 Family
4%
Apts (4+ units)
3%
Other
18%
Zoning Districts:
63,118 parcels · 46 districts
R-1
39%(24,834)
R-1(B
29%(18,194)
RP-5
6%(3,701)
R-2
6%(3,599)
Other
20%(12,790)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Kansas City, KS?
Kansas City, 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 50% of the primary dwelling’s finished space, excluding garages and basements.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 50% of the main home’s finished space excluding basements and garages
- –In R-1, R-1(B), R-2, and R-2(B) districts, a detached accessory building is limited to 1,000 sq ft total area; a detached ADU within it cannot exceed this
Parking
- –ADUs must maintain existing parking requirements; in TND districts: T-2/T-3 = 2 spaces per dwelling unit, T-4/T-5 = 1 space per dwelling unit, T-6 = no parking; Zone CB: no parking regulation.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals require city approval: admin review for on-site owner-occupancy with owner present; or a special use permit otherwise.
- –Special use permits are limited by block-level density (no more than one parcel per street block).
- –If the owner occupies the primary dwelling, the short-term rental must be in a secondary unit within the primary building.
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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Learn the key rules and size limits for ADUs