Location of Authority

Note: For certain environmental health program areas in Shawnee County, the location of authority varies. In unincorporated parts of the county, the authority over nuisances and water/wastewater concerns excludes Topeka, Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, and Willard.

Bedbugs

Bedbugs can be concerning, but are not known to carry diseases. They are more of an annoyance than anything else and can be hard to get rid of once they infest a home. Shawnee County Land Use & Development can provide information and resources on bedbugs.

Bedbug Prevention

  • The bed bugs' exoskeletons after molting
  • Bed bugs in the folds of mattresses and sheets
  • Rusty-colored blood spots from their blood-filled fecal material on the mattress or nearby furniture
  • A sweet musty odor

You can view answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding bedbugs.

Mold

Shawnee County Land Use & Development will take complaints regarding mold issues. If residents feel they have a mold issue within their house, they can call Shawnee County Land Use & Development. While mold testing is not provided, information and education on how to clean up mold issues is available.

Note: To identify the type of mold, residents would need to take a sample to a private lab for testing.

Nuisance Complaints

Shawnee County Land Use & Development has jurisdiction over certain types of nuisances and determines how those nuisances will be handled.

Jurisdiction

  • Any lot or parcel of ground in any platted subdivision of the County
  • Any parcel of land four acres or less adjacent to an occupied residence, located outside the corporate limits of a city
  • Any part of the county, in the case of abandoned vehicles

The Kansas State Nuisance Statute may also be used on any property in the county, and investigations usually begin after a complaint is received.

Nuisance Description

  • Injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, safety, or welfare of the public
  • Offends decency
  • Is offensive to the senses
  • Unlawfully interferes with, obstructs, or renders dangerous for passage any public or private street, highway, sidewalk, stream, ditch, or drainage
  • Renders another person insecure in life or the use of property
  • Interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property, or tends to depreciate the value of the property of another

Pursuing Complaints

Shawnee County Land Use & Development is mainly concerned with nuisances that affect public health. In consultation with the County Counselor and the Health Officer, a decision is made on which complaints to pursue.

More Information: To read more in-depth on the subject of Nuisance Complaints, please read Shawnee County Code Ch. 23, Article II.

Animal Quarantines for Rabies

Rabies is a serious health concern. Shawnee County Land Use & Development helps ensure proper safety steps are followed when rabies exposure is suspected.

When is Quarantine Required?

  • If an animal may have been exposed to rabies
  • If an animal has bitten someone

Our Role

  • Work with all involved parties to ensure safety
  • Determine the required quarantine period
  • Decide the proper location for quarantine
Note: Sometimes, an animal must be quarantined for a specific time to determine rabies status.

Refuse and Solid Waste

All Shawnee County residents are required to have refuse service. Shawnee County Land Use & Development is responsible for licensing trash haulers in the county and handles complaints regarding trash companies as well as individuals who do not have trash service.

Solid Waste Management Plan: 2025 Solid Waste Management Plan

School Health and Safety Inspections

Once a year, Shawnee County Land Use & Development inspects all schools within the County for health and safety issues. These inspections focus on proper lighting, sanitary conditions, chemical storage, and outside safety issues.

Septic/Waste Water

A septic system consists of two main parts—a septic tank and a disposal field. The septic tank is a watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, that treats wastewater naturally by holding it long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The effluent then drains into a treatment system. The septic system is sized based on a percolation test and the total number of bedrooms. Permits are required for all new septic installations and repairs of existing systems.

Well Water Quality

Shawnee County Land Use & Development offers screening and testing for potable water on all wells, as requested. If a resident has well water and would like to have the quality of the water screened and tested, Shawnee County Land Use & Development is available to conduct the testing.