Frequently Asked Questions

 

Index

 What are the government office hours?

The Westwood City Hall is open 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed Saturday and Sunday and Holidays. 


Mission Woods is home to just 80 single-family residences, 4 premium office buildings and a charming church. All city leadership positions are filled by volunteers, we have no full time staff or public buildings. We contract with our neighboring City of Westwood to provide exceptional law enforcement, public works, and building and codes oversight. We also utilize the Westwood City Hall at 4700 Rainbow Boulevard for various city meetings and as a polling place for national, state and local elections. Our city clerk splits time as an employee of both Mission Woods and the City of Westwood. 

 What is the trash and recycling pick up schedule?

Trash and general recycling collections occur every Friday morning at curbside. Yard Waste is collected on Mondays year-round. Glass recycling is collected on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. Materials are to be put out only after dusk the night before unless the homeowner is going to be away. Be considerate. Put trash out after dusk. Trash and recycling costs are paid by Mission Woods through taxes. Remember this when comparing the mill rate of Mission Woods to those of other cities, most of which arrange for trash through homes associations dues. Learn More 

 Does Mission Woods have any pet restrictions?

City ordinance limits each household to two dogs and two cats. All pets must be registered with City Hall at the first of the calendar year. Proof of current immunization shots is required for the license and tags.

No dog shall be allowed to roam at large within the city at any time.  They must be kept on the owner's property or restrained by a leash.  The city also has a "pooper scooper" ordinance.  These are enforced from time to time as needed, to curb violations.

A barking dog periodically causes friction among neighbors.  The city noise ordinance attempts to objectify what is objectionable and prohibited.  It also deals with noise from animals left unattended. Mission Woods contracts with the City of Mission Animal Control for animal control services. Animal Control handles complaints concerning lost or injured animals. Animal Control services are available Monday through Friday. For assistance, call 913-676-8300.

If your animal is missing and you believe it may have been collected by Animal Control, please contact The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (5445 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS) at 913-596-1000 as soon as possible. Unclaimed animals may be released for adoption after 72 hours. 

Pet License Form

 Do I have to listen to construction, animal or other loud noises?

Mission Woods has a comprehensive ordinance that prohibits a range of  "unnecessary noises" in the city. The noise ordinance outlines allowable times for specific categories of noises, including but not limited to: 1) Human, Electronics and Devices with the sole purpose of generating noise; 2) Construction and Repair; 3) Lawn and Landscape and 4) Animal Sounds. Please refer to the Mission Woods Noise Ordinance for complete details.


 Do garage and estate sales require any special arrangements?

A permit is required for garage and estate sales. Additionally, there are rules about how such sales are conducted, including cleanup afterward. Rules and permits are available from the city clerk. Occasionally the Homes Association coordinates a city-wide sale on one of the spring or fall dates used by Westwood.

 Who is responsible for tree maintenance or replacement?

You are responsible for the maintenance of any tree whose base is on your property, even if it shades a neighbor's property. Under city ordinance, this responsibility extends to trees in the city right-of-way abutting your property, including trimming and removal. If a property owner does not maintain a right-of-way tree after notice from the city, the city may perform the work and assess the cost against the property. Note that removal of a healthy tree requires Architectural Review Board approval, particularly if the tree is significant to several adjoining properties.

The city does not currently pay for replacement trees. If you have questions about whether a situation is covered by city policy, contact the mayor.

As of 2026, the city is forming a Tree Board to inventory Mission Woods' tree canopy, assess and maintain tree health across the city, coordinate regular city right-of-way tree trimmings, and refine the tree ordinance to clarify responsibility for trees in the city right-of-way. If you are unsure whether a tree on or near your property is your responsibility, the Tree Board's work will help provide clearer answers in the future.

 Does the city keep the streets swept and pickup fall leaves?

The city tries to provide 3-4 curb leaf pickups each fall. Special notices are sent out ahead giving the dates. Streets are swept periodically as needed, typically every other month.

 May I display outdoor or security lights?

Consider your neighbors before you place outdoor or security lighting. Your lights can be annoying or unattractive to others.  For example, a light on the back of your house may shine directly into the bedroom of a neighbor.  For this reason, placement of exterior lighting is subject to Architectural Review Board approval.  Consult  possibly affected neighbors.  Often a problem can be avoided easily by a different placement or simple shielding.

Security experts advise us to keep regular front and back porch and garage lights on all night.  These lower levels of overall ambient light are favored by police, rather than fewer but brighter lights, because they do not create dark concealing shadows.  It is much easier for patrol cars to see between and around houses if there are no sharp shadows.

Seasonal holiday lighting is subject to Architectural Review Board approval if it is greater than or not comparable to other neighborhood displays.  Again, use common sense and observe what your neighbors do before you go all out with the holiday spirit.

 Does the city have a lawn and home maintenance ordinances?

The city does have ordinances requiring that lawns, guttering, windows, driveways, and the like be regularly maintained and in good repair.  The best practice is to use the yardstick of common comparison.  How does the curb appeal of your property compare to that of your neighbors?

 Is street parking allowed with our narrow streets?

City ordinances permit one side parking only (for safety reasons to allow oversize emergency vehicles to pass).  Sometimes strangers to the neighborhood, especially repairmen, park on the "wrong" side, and occasionally they do get tickets for this.  If you notice, remind them of this fact.  Remind your party guests as well.

Permanent driveway parking in front of the house is not permitted.  On street overnight parking between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. is not permitted.  These rules are enforced periodically when a problem situation arises.

Wrong side parking and overnight street parking are particularly irksome to many residents.  This is difficult to remedy without the police being aware.  If you are concerned about a situation, call Westwood Police non emergency number, 913-362-3737, and ask that attention be given to the situation by sending a patrol officer to ticket the offender(s).

 Is door to door solicitation acceptable in the city?

City ordinances require solicitors to register for a permit, not to prohibit solicitation activity, but to record the identity and nature of the activity for public safety purposes.  This rule is often ignored however. You may ask any solicitor to show you his/her permit and identification.  If you feel that a solicitor or group has been annoying or should be checked out in some way, call the Westwood Police's non emergency number, 913-362-3737.

 Are yard and political signs permitted?

Ordinances govern the size, number, and duration of various signs. Check the rules with the city clerk before putting up any signs. Signs in violation can be confiscated without advance warning. The two most common signs encountered are real estate and political signs. 

Political signs generally go up 30 days ahead of an election and must come down within a day or so thereafter, even if the candidate will be running in a subsequent election, but that election is more than 30 days away.

A "For Sale" sign may be left on the property without limitation, but "Open House" or "House for Sale" arrow signs are not to be put up more than 30 minutes before the open house, and must be removed within 30 minutes of its conclusion.

 Does the city send out newsletters?

The Mayor's newsletter is sent to subscribers on the second Friday of each month. Homes Association communications are sent periodically to all residents via our citywide email list. The city website is updated regularly and is a good source of information, including the community calendar, meeting agendas and minutes, and other city news. You can opt in for communications here.

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