Deputy County Administrator Hannah Bett Explains Why the City of Salina Handles Commercial Inspections in Saline County

Saline County could create its own system for reviewing and enforcing commercial building codes in unincorporated areas, but doing so would require the county to hire qualified personnel specifically for that work, according to Deputy County Administrator Hannah Bett.

Salina311 spoke with Bett following Tuesday’s Saline County Planning Commission discussion over proposed zoning definitions for rural event venues and the City of Salina’s role in reviewing county building projects.

Bett confirmed that the county has the authority to maintain and enforce its own commercial building-code system. The practical question is whether the county wants to employ the building officials, inspectors and other personnel needed to administer that system.

For decades, the county has instead relied on an agreement with the City of Salina. Bett said the arrangement has worked for the county.

How the Agreement Works

The current agreement, signed Feb. 25, 2025, divides responsibilities between the two governments.

Saline County maintains control over zoning and determines whether a proposed land use meets county requirements. Building-permit applications are submitted to the county, and county departments review zoning, subdivision, sanitation and public-works requirements.

The application then moves to the City of Salina’s Building and Fire Services divisions. Under the agreement, the city’s building official, fire marshal or authorized personnel perform plan reviews and necessary inspections to determine whether the project complies with building codes adopted by the county.

Although city employees perform the review, they are doing so under an agreement with Saline County rather than through the city’s zoning authority. The property remains under county jurisdiction.

After required fees are paid, city Building Services issues the building permit. City personnel conduct inspections during construction, participate in the final inspection and issue the certificate of occupancy once the project is complete.

Any code violations are referred to Saline County, which remains responsible for enforcement. The agreement also does not cover inspections for permits that are not issued in connection with a building permit.

The city is allowed to collect permit fees equal to 125% of the amount listed in the city’s comprehensive fee schedule as compensation for providing the service.

Either government may terminate the agreement effective July 1 of any year by providing at least 30 days’ written notice. The 2025 document also states that it supersedes previous city-county building-inspection agreements.

Relationship Dates Back Decades

While the current agreement was approved in 2025, the arrangement itself is not new.

Historical documents provided to Salina311 show that Saline County and the City of Salina have used similar inspection agreements for decades. A 1982 agreement authorized city building personnel to inspect county projects, and later versions continued the general division between county zoning responsibilities and city inspection services.

A 2002 agreement similarly authorized the city to conduct plan reviews and inspections for the county, collect permit fees and refer violations back to Saline County for enforcement.

The arrangement allows Saline County to use an existing city inspection department rather than creating and staffing a separate county commercial building office. Naturally, government found a way to make one department serve two jurisdictions, which is almost suspiciously practical.

Why the Agreement Became Part of the Venue Debate

The agreement drew attention during Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting because commissioners were considering new zoning classifications for rural resorts, managed rural estates and banquet or event facilities.

Lauren Driscoll, the City of Salina’s director of community development services, summarized the division between the two governments during the meeting.

“Really, where the city and the county overlap on this is your zoning code, our building code,” Driscoll said.

Some commissioners questioned why city personnel should be involved with properties outside city limits. The agreement provides the answer: Saline County controls zoning and enforcement, while city personnel conduct building and fire-code reviews on the county’s behalf.

The broader disagreement involved whether the proposed zoning definitions would help rural venues navigate commercial building requirements or impose city-style standards on county properties.

Driscoll said officials needed defined land-use categories that could be connected to existing building-code requirements.

“Without structure, I’ve got nothing to match the building code up with,” Driscoll said.

Commissioners pushed back over concerns that the definitions could be too broad, restrict private gatherings or discourage rural businesses and larger events. They discussed clarifying that the rules would apply to commercial operations rather than private weddings, reunions or similar gatherings.

The proposal was ultimately tabled after officials raised additional questions about state fire-code jurisdiction and whether the county’s proposed categories would align with state requirements.

Driscoll told commissioners she understood their objective.

“I understand the direction of this body in trying to create opportunity rather than make it difficult,” Driscoll said.

County and city officials are expected to continue reviewing the proposal before it returns to the Planning Commission.