Exterior of the Great Bend Municipal Building where the Building Inspections department is headquartered

Mission

The Building Inspection department’s mission is to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Great Bend by providing standards and enforcement of codes and regulations in areas relating to new construction, remodeling and renovation, fire, electrical, mechanical and plumbing.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the building inspections department include administration and enforcement of the adopted building, electrical, fire, mechanical, plumbing, and other related codes necessary to maintain safe environments for the citizens of Great Bend. Building Inspections is tasked with issuing permits for 

  • Building
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical and mechanical
  • Demolition
  • Mobile homes
  • Signs
  • Street and curb cuts
  • Sidewalks
  • Approaches to driveways

Once permits are issued, building inspections completes the appropriate inspections to ensure code compliance.

In addition, building inspections reviews plans for proposed buildings, additions and building alterations to verify zoning and code compliance, as well as issuing and regulating the licensing of contractors and trades people in the various fields.

Another responsibility of building inspections is enforcing the City's Ordinances as related to the structural conditions of buildings within the City of Great Bend. This includes identifying and abating dilapidated and dangerous buildings.

Inspector

The Building Inspector oversees the building inspections department and monitors and inspects work done and permits issued within the City. The Building Inspector is an ex-officio member of the Building Board of Examiners and Appeals, the Board of Construction, Trades, Examiners and Appeals (BOCTEA) and the Zoning Board. In addition, the Building Inspector works closely with other state and local officials including the Planning Commission, City Council, City Administration, The Food Inspector, and utilities.

Services

Request for Public Record Copy

The building inspections department maintains the records for permits issued and licensed contractors. Individuals requesting copies of permit related public records can complete and submit the City of Great Bend Building Inspection Request for Public Record Copy application or contact our office for further information.

If your gas has been off for a while, Kansas Gas Service may require an inspection. Prior to an inspection being completed the gas lines must be pressured while gauge is attached to check for leaks and pressure consistency. Licensed plumbers can complete this work and must complete the work for rental and commercial properties. Homeowners who occupy the residence may take out the permit, perform the work and call for the inspection. Structures may not be built over gas lines.

A permit is required for all work performed by contractors or homeowners if the cost of labor and materials equals $250.00 or more. Common work that requires permits include, but are not limited to: decks, fences, finishing basements, remodeling rooms, building garages and/or sheds, roof repairs, porches, heat and air units, plumbing and electrical.

No, structures cannot be built in easements. Plot plans submitted for approval with the permit application must show these easements and indicate where the structure will be located outside of the easement.

You may perform construction work without having a trade certificate provided you are both the owner and occupant of the home. However, you must still obtain a permit, if required, and have inspections completed during construction. If you are doing work on your secondary residence or a friend/relative’s property, you need to have a contractor or trades license as well as the proper permits and inspections.
Permits for work done in the public right-of-way are issued and inspected by the City Building Inspections Department’s office. All permit applications can be obtained at the Building Inspections Office. The Building Inspections Office is located at 1217 Williams, 620-793-4106.
The following licenses are issued by Building Inspections: Class A General Contractor, Class B Building Contractor, Class C Residential Contractor, Class D Roofing Unlimited Contractor, Class E Roofing Limited Contractor, Class F Limited (Specialty) Contractor, Moving Contractor, Demolition Contractor, Sign Contractor, Mechanical Contractor, Plumbing Contractor and Electrical Contractor. Most licenses require successful completion of the Block and Associates exam.
Building Inspections issues certificates for the following trades, upon successful completion of the Block and Associates exam: Journeyman Plumber w/ Gas, Master Plumber w/ Gas, Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, Journeyman Mechanical, and Master Mechanical. The following certificates are issued without successful completion of the Block and Associates exam: Employing Electrical, Apprentice Electrical, Helper Electrical, Employing Mechanical, Apprentice Mechanical, Helper Mechanical, Employing Plumber, Apprentice Plumber and Helper Plumber.