BUILDING INSPECTION
The City of Newton Building Inspection either inspects
or needs a permit for all construction with a value over $500.00.
Inspectors also inspect electrical, mechanical, and Plumbing work.
The building inspection also licenses building contractors, mechanical
contractors, electrical contractors, and plumbing contractors.
Why do I need a permit to build?
Building permits allow the City of Newton to track
all building projects in Newton with a value over $500.00. Building
inspection is vital to the safety, health, and overall well being
of our community. Building inspectors make sure that all construction
conforms to the adopted building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing
codes. Building inspectors make sure that all construction in Newton
is structurally sound and not a fire hazard.
Who has to obtain a contractor's license?
Every individual builder, plumber, electrician,
and heating and cooling technician should obtain a contractor's
license. Builders must obtain either a class A, B, C, or D licenses
depending upon the type of work performed. Builders must show proof
of the appropriate International Conference of Building Officials
Contractor Certification or take a test on building codes offered
by the City of Newton. Electricians, Plumbers, and Heating and Cooling
Technicians must have either their Journeyman or Masters Block Certification.
To find out more about licensing please call 284-6022.
How much does a permit cost?
Building permits are dependent on the value of construction.
Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical permits have various fees depending
upon the type of work to be performed.
Please call to find out about costs for specific
projects.
How much is a contractor's license?
The following is a list of costs associated with
a contractor license;
-
Building Contractor Licenses.
Class B- $100.00 a year plus proof of $300,000 of liability
and workman's compensation insurance. The test for a class B
contractor's license is $30.00. The test has a four-hour time
limit and is based upon the Uniform Building Code and City of
Newton Building Codes.
Class C- $75.00 a year plus proof of $300,000 of liability and
workman's compensation insurance. The test for a class C contractor's
license is $30.00. The test has two-hour time limit and is based
upon the Uniform Building Code and the City of Newton Building
Codes.
Class D-$50.00 a year plus proof of $300,000 of liability and
workman's compensation insurance. The test for a class D contractor's
license is $5.00. The test has an unlimited time limit and is
based upon a small portion of the Uniform Building Code and
the City of Newton Building Codes.
-
Electrical, Mechanical @ Plumbing Contractors
First year-$100.00 plus proof of $300,000 of liability and workman's
compensation insurance.
Annual Renewal-$20.00/year plus proof of $300,000 of liability
and workman's compensation insurance.
Master-$15.00/year plus proof of $300,000 of liability and workman's
compensation insurance.
Journeyman-$5.00 /year
-
Wrecking Contractor
$30.00 /year plus proof of $300,000 of liability and workman's
compensation insurance.
-
Gas Fitter Contractor
First year- $100.00
Renewal- $20.00/ year
Master - $15.00/ year
Do I need a permit or license for a building project
for my own home?
Property owners need a permit for any building project
over $500.00 in value. You may work on your house without a contractor's
license. However, any commercial project, regardless of whether
you own the business, must have a licensed contractor performing
the work.
Where do I go to get building permits and contractor's
licenses?
Building permits and contractor's licenses are sold at City Hall,
201 E 6th Street, on the third floor in the engineering/code enforcement
office.How can I schedule a building inspection?
Please call 284-6020 to schedule a building inspection. Tell
the staff person the type of inspection and the time you would like
the inspection. City inspectors prefer 24-hour notice for each inspection,
but are flexible in most cases.
ZONING
ZONING
MAP OF NEWTON, KANSAS
COMPLETE ZONING ORDINANCE OF NEWTON
AND NORTH NEWTON, KANSAS
The City of Newton has set up a zoning classification for each property
in town. Zoning determines what a property can legally be used for
within town. Zoning regulates everything from property setbacks
to signs. The following is a list of the zones within Newton:
R-S = Single family Suburban District
R-1 = Single family Dwelling District
R-2 = Two-family Dwelling District
R-3 = Multi-Family Dwelling District
PUD = Planned Unit Development District
M-H = Mobile Home Subdivision District
M-P= Mobile Home Park District
P-O = Professional Office District
C-T = Transitional Business District
C-1 = Neighborhood Business District
C-2 = General Business District
C-3 = Central Business District
I-1 = Light Industrial District
I-2 = General Industrial District
F-P = Flood Plain Overlay District
How do I know what my property is zoned?
The City of Newton Engineering/Code Enforcement
Office has the zoning map on hand. Call 284-6020 if you have a question
about what zone you live in and the accepted property uses in that
zone.
Can I change the zoning of my property?
Any change in zoning must be approved by the Newton-North
Newton Area Planning Commission and the Newton City Commission.
An individual property owner must obtain a zoning application and
submit such application to the Planning Commission.
Generally, a property is not allowed to change zoning
if the applied for change would make that property the only property
in the general area zoned differently from other properties in the
neighborhood. This is called spot zoning and is practice municipalities
try to avoid.
