Frequently Asked Questions

Penn Terrace is for persons age 62 and older, for non-elderly persons with disabilities (aged 18-49), and for near-elderly persons with disabilities (aged 50-61), in that order of preference.  

Yes, as long as you are 62 years of age or older or you are disabled and are between the ages of 18-49 or 50--61 . Penn Terrace is ADA compliant.

Yes. Residents may have one cat or one dog. No other types of pets are allowed. The pet must weigh less than twenty pounds. There is a $200 pet deposit required at move-in. Special arrangements may be made for the payment of the pet deposit, upon request.

Yes. On January 1, 2015, Penn Terrace Apartments became a smoke-free facility. Smoking and the use of E-cigarettes or vaporizers is not allowed anywhere inside the building, including apartments, or within 25' of the building. There is a designated smoking area outside for the comfort of our tenants and guests. 

This varies for everyone. We must do landlord verifications, criminal background checks and third-party verifications on all of your income, assets and recurring medical expenses. The length of time is determined by how long it takes those companies to return the documents to us.

We require the following documents: 

• Social Security Card 
• Valid driver's license or Photo ID (we accept other forms of photo ID if you do not have these) 
• Birth certificate or proof of citizenship 
• Medical insurance cards 
• Social security statement of benefits (printed in the last 30 days) 
• Three months worth of bank statements
• Other documents that may be required: Information pertaining to life insurance, pensions, investment accounts, real estate documents, disposed assets, etc. 

Penn Terrace Apartments' rent is income based and everyone's rent is different. We take into account your income (Social Security, pensions, annuities, alimony, etc.), your assets (checking, savings, CDs, money market accounts, stocks, bonds, life insurance, real estate, etc.) and your recurring medical expenses (insurance premiums, prescription co-pays, recurring monthly medical bills, etc.) to come up with what your rent will be. Your rent will be approximately 30% of your adjusted income.

The costs of all of your utilities is included in your rent. This covers water, gas and electricity and trash service.

Penn Terrace Apartments provides DIRECTV to our resdients for $15 per month. We are not able to partner with any other providers for cable or satellite TV but you are welcome to use streaming services of your choosing. 

Residents are responsible for setting up their own home phone and internet services. Penn Terrace does provide a computer, in the Community Room, with internet access for tenants to use free of charge.

Regular grave spaces are $350.  There are additional charges for opening and closing. Refer to question 2 for details.

Baby mound space w/opening and closing is $250.00.

 All grave spaces can be paid for at the City Clerk’s office at 120 N. 6th, Independence, KS 67301.

Chapter 22. Cemeteries (updated 2023)

(1) Opening and closing graves, including pre-needs.

a. Opening and closing, adult, weekdays. .....$350.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

b. Opening and closing, adult, Saturdays. .....$600.00

c. Opening and closing, adult, Sundays and holidays. .....$1,500.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

d. Opening and closing, infant, weekdays. .....$250.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

e. Opening and closing, infant, Saturdays. .....$350.00

f. Opening and closing, infant,, Sundays and Holidays. .....$400.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

g. Crypt opening and closing, adult or infant, weekdays. .....$350.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

h. Crypt Opening and closing, adult or infant, Saturdays and holidays. .....$600.00

i. Crypt Opening and closing, adult or infant, Sundays and holidays. .....$1,000.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

j. Cremation, adult or infant, weekdays. .....$250.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing work done after 4:00 p.m. .....$100.00

k. Cremation, adult or infant, Saturdays. .....$350.00

l. Cremation, adult or infant, Sundays and holidays. .....$400.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

m. Disinterment. .....$1,250.00

n. Pre-needs, Saturdays and holiday services ONLY. .....$350.00

Additional charge, per hour, or fraction thereof, for any opening and closing after 12:00 p.m. This charge will be in effect from 12:00 p.m. until the closing is complete, regardless of the starting time of the funeral. .....$100.00

(2) Indigents. .....$300.00

(3) Staking fee for installing monument, per installation. .....$35.00

(4) Mausoleum niche, each. .....$300.00

(5) Setting of VA stone. .....$150.00

(6) Mowing .....

a. Catholic Cemetery .....$350.00

b. Lutheran Cemetery .....$350.00

(8) Spaces .....

a. Regular Grave Space .....$350.00

b. Baby mound space w/opening and closing depends on day of service.

Please refer questions regarding additional fees or special considerations to the Cemetery Sexton at 620-332-2510

All cemetery decorations need to be removed by 3:30 p.m. ten days after Memorial Day. 

Cemetery employees will begin removing decorations on the eleventh day. As staff and time are limited, we ask that you please adhere to this policy in order for staff to maintain an already tight schedule. Thank you!

FORPAZ membership prices are as follows: Individual or Family $25.00 Business $50.00 Patron $100.00 Lifetime $1,000.00

For most residents, the pick-up location is the curb in front of your house. However, there are several exceptions (for example, where street access is too steep to safely place and pick up the trash cart). An interactive map is available on the City's website at this link:  Interactive Sanitation Route Map  The interactive map allows you to type in your address and see both your designated pick-up location (street or alley) and the day of the week. For a printable PDF version, visit this link:  PDF Sanitation Route  Please place your polycart in the right-of-way near the curb or alley (depending on your pickup location) and do not place it in the street or in the alley. 

You can use an additional trash can for bagged trash up to three times over any three-month period. After that, the City may require an additional polycart and an additional monthly fee will apply. If you would like to get rid of an old trash can just leave a note on it and place it with your poly cart, and we will collect it with your trash. 

A polycart can hold approximately 95 gallons and can weigh up to 300 pounds. Each polycart is picked up once per week. However, if you need an additional cart you can get one for $14.58 per month -- or $3.65 per week. 

By 5 a.m. on the day of your service. Please take it back to your house as soon as possible after we've emptied it. 

Yes, please move your polycart back to the house once it is emptied. 

Please place only bagged household garbage in the polycart. Harsh chemicals or hot ashes will damage the polycart. 

The new carts are on wheels, making them easier to maneuver than free-standing trash cans and heavy-filled garbage bags. However, trash pick-up service closer to your house is available for a small additional fee of $6.60/month – or $1.65 per week.

We will be back next week. Unfortunately, we cannot manage second passes to individual residences. 

Yes. Request a bulky item pick-up on the City’s website at this link:  SeeClickFix . The City will not pick up bulky items without a service request.

The easiest way to get rid of large amounts of trash (from moving, cleaning out a house, etc.) is to contact the City to arrange rental of an 8 yard residential dumpster (note there are restrictions on what can be placed in a dumpster). See the City's Clean-Up Dumpster Program for more information.

The City Sanitation Yard at 21st & Maple also accepts bulky items from residential customers every Thursday & Friday 8 a.m.- 12 noon, and the first Saturday of the month 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Please note holidays may temporarily modify this schedule. 

The City's brush dump (located on County Road 4100 a half-mile south of College Avenue) is open to City residents every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m.- 12 noon. 

Yes, if a holiday falls on a scheduled residential route day, generally the routes will be shifted to the next day. View our sanitation schedule for 2024 by visiting our Holiday Schedule page.

If you haven’t damaged the cart with things like harsh chemicals or hot ashes, the City will provide you with a new cart at no charge. If the cart is stolen, you will have to file a police report in order to receive a new cart. As each cart has a serial number unique to its address, tracking is easier.

No. Leave your cart at your residence, even if you just move across town. Your cart’s serial number is associated with its address.

Yes, the criteria to qualify for the hardship rates for water, sewer and sanitation services can be found at this link:  Hardship Rates

The application can be found at this link:  Hardship Rate Application  For more information call the main City line at 620-332-2500. 

Payments may be made over the phone at 1-844-215-7377, online at Online Bill Pay, in person at City Hall, or dropped off at our drop box location, 410 N. Penn Ave in the circle drive.  To start, stop, or transfer service call 620-332-2500, Monday - Thursday, 8 AM to 4 PM and Friday, 8 AM to 12 noon.  

The following animals are required to be licensed within the City. Licenses can be obtained through the City Clerk's office or a local veterinary clinic.

• Dogs
• Cats
• Chickens
• Rabbits

Yes. It is against the law in Independence to keep:

• Pitt Bull Dogs
• Hogs or pigs
• Goats
• Sheep
• Roosters
• Other Livestock, unless certain space criteria are met

This list is not all-inclusive and some exclusions apply. See Code Section 10.

The City of Independence uses Animals With Our Love (A.W.O.L.) for impoundment. A.W.O.L is located at:
116 S. 23rd Street
Independence, KS 67301

There is a $5 reclaim fee.

Please check with A.W.O.L.

A.W.O.L can be contacted by calling 620-331-7931 and is located at:
116 S 23rd Street
Independence, KS 67301

The shelter is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 11:30 am and on weekends from 1:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Please note that all pets reclaimed from A.W.O.L must leave the building leashed and collared. You may bring your own leash or purchase them on-site.

Yes, It is illegal for a dog to run at large. All dogs must be on a leash per Section 10-52 of the Independence Municipal Code.

Animals must be kept on a leash in all public areas except for the Independence Dog Park, located at:
700 N Park Boulevard
Independence, KS 67301

The City of Independence, alongside community partners including Independence Main Street and the Independence Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity Task Force, applied for the Rural Welcoming Initiative to better understand how communities can intentionally support connection, belonging, and success for all residents.

The interest in applying grew from everyday conversations with community members—particularly those who are new to Independence—and from a shared desire among partners to learn how to better celebrate our differences, reduce barriers to participation, and strengthen community ties. While the City often serves as a first point of contact, this effort reflects a broader community interest in learning and growth.

Participation allows the City and its partners to learn from other rural communities across the country about:

• How to engage residents with different backgrounds and experiences
• How to recognize and celebrate diversity in ways that strengthen community pride
• How to better leverage the lived experiences of community members as assets
• How to help residents feel connected, informed, and supported as they live, work, and do business in Independence

This is a learning-focused initiative. There are no predetermined outcomes, mandates, or policy changes tied to participation.

Community partners are co-applicants, not observers. Independence Main Street and the Chamber’s Diversity Task Force bring perspectives that extend beyond City operations, including:

• Business and workforce engagement
• Community events and placemaking
• Relationship-building across neighborhoods and organizations

Together, partners are interested in learning how to celebrate diversity in ways that strengthen economic vitality, civic participation, and community pride - benefiting the entire community.

No. The Rural Welcoming Initiative is not a recruitment program, and neither the City nor its partners are attempting to attract or target any specific population.

The focus is on how we support the people who already live here—or who choose to move here on their own—and how we help them become successful, engaged members of the community. This includes longtime residents, new families, business owners, seniors, young people, and everyone in between.

No. Participation in the Rural Welcoming Initiative does not change local, state, or federal laws and does not designate Independence as a sanctuary city.

The initiative does not require communities to adopt immigration-related policies or enforcement positions. It focuses on community connection, communication, and inclusion—not law enforcement or political advocacy.

Welcoming America works with communities on a broad range of welcoming practices. While immigration is part of their national mission, the Rural Welcoming Initiative specifically supports rural communities in learning how to:

• Strengthen community connections
• Foster belonging and mutual respect
• Create environments where residents can thrive

Independence’s participation is centered on community learning and collaboration, not on immigration policy.

For Independence, being welcoming means striving to ensure that all residents - regardless of age, race, religion, income, background, or length of time in the community - have opportunities to:

• Participate in community life
• Access information and resources
• Feel valued and respected

It is about recognizing that a strong community benefits from many perspectives and experiences.

The initiative provides structured learning opportunities, peer conversations, and guidance. As partners learn together, they will consider how insights might inform future conversations, collaborations, or improvements. Any future actions will be shaped locally and thoughtfully, with community input.