Frequently Asked Questions

Trash is picked up once a week on Monday's. Recycling is picked up once a week on Thursday's. Pick up days may change due to holidays.

Yes. Chapter 2, Article 4 of the Paola Municipal Code lists dangerous animals that are prohibited in the city. There are guidelines for the keeping of farm animals as pets within city limits. See Ordinance No. 3228  or this flyer for specific regulations.

If you live in the Paola City Limits, you may apply for a permit in Paola City Hall, located at 19 East Peoria. We are located on the first floor. You may also send your permit application and required documentation to permits@paolagov.org.

Most permit requests will require drawings and information on the materials being used. New residences, additions, sheds and other buildings and fences will require additional information like a site and/or a plot plan.

A site plan is a drawing showing the layout of a property and it’s surroundings, and should include the following information: To scale, the size and layout of all existing structures, proposed construction, distances from property lines, and existing/proposed streets or drives. For new construction, established and proposed finish grades should be shown. Site plans are typically used for commercial development.

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A plot plan is a detailed, scaled drawing of a property that shows its size, shape, boundaries, topography, and the location of all its features. Plot plans are required for new residential construction and should show distances between the proposed building and the property lines, driveway dimensions, and existing/final grades.

Yes. A garage is required for any new residence that is built in the City of Paola. The garage may be attached or detached. Please contact us at 913-259-3611 for further specifications.

Property owners may perform any type of work on buildings that they own and will personally occupy. Individuals or companies that act as building contractors in Paola are required to be licensed.

You may obtain information on our website or you may contact the office at 913-259-3611 for information and have an application sent to you.

Paola has adopted the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 International Residential Code, 2018 International Plumbing Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, 2017 National Electrical Code,  2018 International Private Sewage Disposal Code, 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and 2018 Existing Building Code with amendments as noted in Chapter 4, Article 2 in the Paola City Code.

A room is considered a bedroom when the room is at least 70 square fee in area with no dimension less than 7 feet and the room has an adjoining room or space that may be utilized as a closet. This definition will be applied for requirements for heating, smoke detectors, emergency escape and rescue openings.

A complete list of required inspections will be included with your approved permit. The handout will outline required inspections and procedures for making inspection requests. All permits require a final inspection of completed work, but many require intermediate inspections as well. A typical new residential dwelling will have an average of 10 or more inspections including: footings, foundation walls, foundation drains, under-slab plumbing, building rough-in, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, open trench inspections for electrical, water and gas laterals, interior gas piping installation and pressure testing and a final inspection. 

Generally, anything that is considered to be a safety or sanitation requirement must be completed before occupancy of a new building will be granted. A Certificate of Occupancy is required to be issued by the Building Inspector before a building can be occupied legally. Some of the items that must be complete before occupancy is granted include, but are not limited to the following: • Smoke detectors required by code installed and functioning; • At least one fully functioning bathroom including a tub or shower, a lavatory and a water closer; any openings in the DWV system for additional fixtures shall be capped; • A kitchen sink and cooking facilities; • A water heater with a thermal expansion tank; • At least one exit including landings, stairs, handrails and guardrails that fully comply with code requirements; additional exit doors that have a landing that are over 30 inches above the outside grade shall be blocked by approved guardrails or be locked by temporary double keyed deadbolts; • Handrails on stairs with three or more risers and guardrails on porches, decks or similar platforms located 30 inches or more above adjacent surface; • Required electrical receptacles, switches, lights, fixtures, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, and cover plates; • Final approval of the electrical service, including grounding system; • Required mechanical heating equipment shall be completed and approval received; • Address posted; • A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can be obtained until a full final approval of the residence is given.

An emergency escape opening is required out of every bedroom and basement. If a basement is finished and contains one or more bedrooms, the rooms other than the bedroom (s) are not required to have an emergency escape opening. • Finished sill height shall be no more than 44 inches off of the finished floor • The minimum clear openable height shall be at least 24 inches • The minimum clear openable width shall be at least 20 inches • The minimum clear openable area shall be at least 5.7 square feet. NOTE: One or both the clear openable height or width must exceed the minimum to comply with the minimum clear openable area • Escape or rescue openings that are located below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well complying with the following: >A minimum clear area of at least 9 square feet >A minimum dimension in any direction of 3 feet >If window well is deeper than 44 inches, a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the stairs in the fully open position shall be provided.>Must be designed for proper drainage.

Handrails are required on at least one side of all stairways with four or more risers. Handrails are required to be located between 34 and 38 inches measured vertically off the stair nosings. The handrail is required to be graspable with a circular cross section of 1 ¼ inches minimum to 2 inches maximum. Other shapes that provide an equivalent grasping surface are permissible, however a 2 inch nominal dimension piece of lumber is not acceptable unless a finger groove is routed and the corners are rounded.

Yes. A landing that is at least 36 inches by 36 inches is required outside of every exterior doorway. Landings or finished floors should be not more than 1 1/2 inches lower than the top of the threshold. A landing may be located not more than 7 3/4 inches below the top of the door threshold, provided that the door, other than the screen or storm door, does not swing over the landing.

Guardrails are required on the sides of porches, balconies, landings, stairways or other walking surfaces that are elevated more than 30 inches above the adjoining surface. A guardrail for a residence must be at least 36 inches in height and be solid or have ornamental rails that will not allow a sphere 4 inches in diameter to pass through. Required guards shall not be constructed with horizontal rails that create a ladder effect. Guardrails to resist a single concentrated load or 200 psf applied in any direction at any point along the guardrail.

Water lines must be buried at least 42 inches below the finished grade.

Electrical lines are required to be buried at least 24 inches within conduit. A warning ribbon that is placed in the trench at least 12 inches above the conductors is required for any underground electrical installation that is not encased in concrete. All Type UF wires or cables for landscape lights less than 30 volts must be buried at least 6 inches underground. This is true also for pool, spa and fountain lighting wires under 30 volts.

Yes. The electrical code does not require electrical wiring to be placed in a trench separate from water piping. See the 2018 International Residential Code for more details.

Yes. There are requirements for height that need to be verified as well as location of fence in regards to zoning regulations. There is a set fee for residential fences of $25. More...

Six months from the date of issue and remains valid for up to one year as long as  an inspection was made within 180 days of issue.

The Miami County Building Department can be reached at 913-294-4145. They are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Contact our office at 913-259-3611 to schedule a consultation. There is a $50 fee which includes a building and life safety inspection, as well as contact with the City’s Planning and Zoning Department and Miami County Economic Development Department. There may be additional requirements, which will be identified during the consultation.

Any child from birth until kindergarten can sign up. It will take from a few month to a few years to complete the program, depending on how many books you read at a time.

Sharing books and stories is important to your child's brain development and will help them be successful in school. We will be sharing early literacy tips throughout the program.

Nope!

• 1 books a day multiplied by 3 years = 1,095 books
• 2 books a day multiplied by 3 years = 2,095 books
• 5 books a week multiplied by 4 years= 1,040 books
• 10 books a week multiplied by 2 years = 1,040 books

Yes, count each time you read the book! You have our sympathies, toddlers love repetition. We are happy to offer suggestions of other books that may become your child's new favorite.

Yes! Even count books read by siblings, grandparents, during story times... you get the picture!