Des Moines County, Iowa Building Permit Guide

In unincorporated Des Moines County the county pages describe no building permit. The Land Use Department, which the county contracts to the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) at 211 N. Gear Avenue in West Burlington (319-753-4313), issues zoning permits only inside the zoned area within two miles of Burlington, and floodplain and airport height permits wherever those maps apply. County Public Health issues septic ($500) and well permits, the County Engineer issues entrance permits, and the five cities run their own permits.

What requires a permit in unincorporated Des Moines County?

What you need depends on where the parcel sits. The county’s zoning ordinance, No. 34, covers only unincorporated land within two miles of Burlington’s city limits; the county’s “Do I Need A Zoning Permit?” map shades that ring, the city areas and the rest of the county, where no zoning permit is required. Inside the ring, a zoning permit is needed before anyone builds, enlarges, moves, alters or reconstructs a building or changes the use of land or a structure.

Farms are exempt from zoning under Iowa Code 335.2, and the ordinance charges no fee to confirm the exemption, but anyone claiming it for a house must show the dwelling is tied to an agricultural operation. The exemption does not reach the floodplain: farm construction or excavation in a special flood hazard area still answers to the floodplain ordinance.

What the county decides and what the state holds

The Board of Supervisors has adopted zoning (Ordinance 34, replaced February 22, 2022 and amended July 30, 2024), subdivision (Ordinance 29), floodplain (Ordinance 25) and airport approach (Ordinance 58) rules; the ordinances it posts include no building code, and its pages describe no plan review or framing inspection for houses or commercial buildings. A wind, solar and battery ordinance (No. 64) is posted on the county site as a draft. Statewide rules still apply on top: the state electrical, plumbing and energy codes, state trade licenses and septic rules under chapter 69 of the state’s environmental rules.

Des Moines County building department: who handles permitting

SEIRPC staff act as the county’s Land Use Department, led by Land Use Administrator Zach James. The regional commission also works for Henry, Lee and Louisa counties, so its two land use staff are often out; the office asks callers to phone or email before visiting.

Cities in Des Moines County

The county’s applications are for unincorporated land only. Each city issues its own permits, and the county’s permit map lists the number to call in each.

Des Moines County permit types

The Land Use Department’s applications cover zoning permits, special use permits, home occupations, variances, zoning map or text amendments, subdivision plats, floodplain development permits and airport height permits. A zoning permit application lists the applicant and builder, the property and its zoning district, the work, the size, height and use of every structure and the number of dwelling or business units, with a site plan and, except for most accessory buildings, floor plans.

Residential permits

Inside the zoning ring a new house takes a principal-use zoning permit ($40) after the county health department has approved its sewage system; one- and two-family homes may use an on-site septic system when a cluster or city sewer is not readily available. Outside the ring a rural house needs no land use permit, but it still needs a septic permit, a well permit if it has its own well, an entrance permit for the driveway and a 911 address, and a floodplain permit if any part of the work is in a mapped flood area.

Building or remodeling a home here? Alliance handles residential permit applications, so the crew isn't waiting on the counter.

Commercial permits

Commercial and industrial projects in the zoned area need a zoning permit with a major site plan ($75), and multifamily, commercial and industrial uses may rely on an on-site septic system only if the Health Department approves it instead of a cluster or city system. Because the county’s posted ordinances include no building code, its pages describe no county plan review of the building itself; the statewide energy, accessibility and fire code requirements still apply to a commercial building, and the zoning permit does not certify that it meets them.

For tenant improvements and new commercial builds, Alliance handles commercial building permits through issuance. More on this: commercial building permits explained.

Wells, airport zones and special uses

Private wells get the same treatment as septic systems: Environmental Health reviews the plan, approves the site and inspects new and reconstructed wells, and it also runs well water testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates and the state grant program for plugging or rehabilitating old wells. Around the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, Ordinance 58 and its approach-zone map set height rules, and building in a mapped approach zone calls for a $25 airport height development permit. Home businesses inside the zoning ring need a home occupation permit, heard as a special use.

What comes before the building work

• Zoning boards. The Zoning Commission hears rezonings and map or text amendments; the Board of Adjustment hears variances and special uses.
• Subdivision. Splitting land follows Ordinance 29, with preliminary and final plats.
• Floodplain. A floodplain development permit before any building, fill, paving or factory-built home in a special flood hazard area.
• Septic and well. Health department plan review and site approval first.
• Entrance and address. County Engineer approval for the driveway, then the 911 address.

Des Moines County permit costs and fees

Land use fees are set by Board of Supervisors resolution and listed on the Applications & Fees page; governments pay none. A zoning fee is paid before the application is reviewed and is not refunded if the permit is denied. Septic and entrance charges come from the forms of the health department and County Engineer.

The pipe for a county-built entrance is billed at cost plus 15% for handling. A new rural house inside the zoning ring on a gravel road therefore starts at $40 for zoning, $500 for the septic permit and $600 plus pipe if the county builds the entrance, before any state electrical fees.

Trade permits and who may pull them

• Electrical: the county lists no electrical inspection program, so outside the cities electrical work is permitted and inspected by the state through DIAL. DIAL charges $25 for a service up to 100 amps, $35 for 101 to 200 amps, $5 per branch circuit and $25 per inspection, and its inspector has three business days to respond. Since House File 2800 was signed on June 2, 2026, the state enforces the 2023 National Electrical Code without its former Iowa amendments.
• Plumbing and mechanical: state licenses; the county’s pages list no county plumbing or HVAC permit.
• Septic installers: the installing contractor signs the county septic permit, certifying the system was built to chapter 69 and county rules.
• Contractors: state registration for anyone earning $2,000 or more a year in construction.

How to get permits for a rural Des Moines County project

Review, corrections and what causes delay

A zoning permit cannot be issued for a building that needs wastewater treatment until the health department has approved the sewer system, so septic design comes first. Land use staff split their time across four counties, which makes calling ahead the fastest route. A permit that is not started within 180 days or finished within a year lapses; the administrator can grant an extension for unforeseen delays once the applicant shows the work has not yet started, and may waive the one-year limit on very large projects that need extensive excavation.

Inspections in Des Moines County

The county pages describe no footing, framing or final building inspections in the unincorporated area. The county inspects what its own permits cover. Septic installers must call Public Health 24 hours before excavating and again on completion, and leave the system uncovered until the final inspection; septic permits expire after a year, or six months when issued after a complaint. Driveway contractors notify the Engineer’s Office 48 hours before starting, and any entrance built by someone other than the county needs the county’s final approval; Iowa Code 318.8 requires county approval for all work in the road right of way.

Electrical work is inspected by the state inspector for the area, and floodplain construction may need elevation documentation for the Land Use Administrator.

Iowa building code

Des Moines County enforces zoning, floodplain, subdivision and airport rules and the ordinances it posts include no building code for unincorporated land. FEMA’s Community Status Book lists the county as participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, with its current flood maps effective May 26, 2026, the same day the county’s new floodplain ordinance, adopted April 21, 2026, took effect; the ordinance puts the lowest floor of a house, basement included, at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Iowa lets most cities and counties adopt the state building code, another code or none (a city of more than 15,000 must enforce at least the state code), but the energy, accessibility, fire, plumbing, mechanical and electrical rules apply statewide. Iowa rules

Des Moines County permit search and official resources

Zoning, floodplain and subdivision files are kept by the Land Use Department, and septic records by Public Health, whose website has an Existing Septic Permits page. Ask the office that issued the permit for copies.

• Land Use Department (SEIRPC)
• Land use applications and fees
• Do I need a zoning permit? (map and city contacts)
• Zoning Ordinance No. 34
• Floodplain Development Ordinance No. 25 (effective May 26, 2026)
• County ordinances
• Environmental Health: septic and wells
• Septic permit application
• Road permits, policies and programs
• Entrance permit
• Request a new 911 address
• DIAL electrical permits and inspections
• DIAL contractor registration
• FEMA Community Status Book, Iowa

Des Moines County permit FAQs

Does Des Moines County issue building permits?

No. Its posted ordinances include no building code for unincorporated land; it issues zoning permits inside the two-mile ring around Burlington and floodplain permits wherever flood maps apply.

Do I need a zoning permit to build a house near Mediapolis or Danville?

Outside city limits and outside the ring around Burlington, no zoning permit is required. You still need septic, entrance, 911 address and state electrical permits.

Where is the county land use office?

At SEIRPC, 211 N. Gear Avenue, Suite 100, West Burlington (319-753-4313). Call or email before visiting.

How much is a septic permit?

$500, filed with Des Moines County Public Health at 505 Curran Street; it is valid for one year.

Who inspects electrical work in rural Des Moines County?

The state, on a DIAL electrical permit, because the county has no electrical program.

Do farm buildings need a permit?

Not a zoning permit, but farm construction or excavation in a floodplain still needs a floodplain development permit.

What does the new floodplain ordinance change?

Ordinance 25 was readopted on April 21, 2026 and took effect May 26, 2026 with new flood maps. Any development in a mapped flood hazard area needs a $25 permit, and a house’s lowest floor must sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

How do I get a driveway onto a county road?

File an entrance permit with the County Engineer (319-753-8241), wait for the initial site review, and give 48 hours’ notice before construction.

Simplify Des Moines County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Iowa. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Des Moines County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.