Forms & Resources

        Steps to fill out a permit:

1. Submit appropriate permit form to City Hall. Including setbacks & drawings. Setbacks are measured from the property line to the structure.
2. City Hall will contact you when your permit is approved by the city administrator.
3. Pay fees at City Hall or on the website, then complete your project. 
4. Contact Safe Building when your project is complete for the final inspection.
5. City Hall will send you a final inspection certificate or a certificate of occupancy for new builds.

Building & Trade Permit Info:

1.   HOME ADDITIONS

• All permits require a complete, signed, permit application.  The permit application is invalid if not signed by the permit applicant.
• The required supporting documents (setbacks from property lines, addition dimensions, distance to any existing structures on lot) must be submitted to the City Clerk for approval before being sent to Safe Building.
• Home addition construction plans should include: 

1. room areas
2. wall heights
3. window locations
4. door locations
5. exterior elevations
6. basement finishes (if any)
7. footing locations
8. footing sizes (depth & size)
9. foundation systems (basement, crawlspace)
10. floor system details
11. roof system details
12. proposed insulation (must meet 20212 Iowa Energy Code requirements)

    2.  DECKS

• Site Plan must include:

1. setbacks from the property lines
2. deck dimensions

• Deck Construction Plan must include:

1. house attachment or free standing
2. distance from deck surface to grade
3. any roof or enclosure
4. footing locations
5. footing sizes (depth & diameter)
6. beam height and thickness
7. joist size and spacing
8. stair location

    3.  ACCESSORY STRUCTURES/SHEDS

• Site Plan must include:

1. setbacks from the property lines
2. accessory structure dimensions
3. distance to existing structures

• Building Plan must include:

1. exterior dimensions
2. construction method (i.e. post and beam, stick frame, etc…)
3. wall heights
4. truss sizes (height included)
5. garage door sizes, service door sizes
6. dimensions from doors to corners
7. spacing between overhead doors and service doors
8. any utilities serving the garage (i.e. electrical, plumbing, HVAC)

      TRADE PERMIT INFO

• A trade permit is required for all electrical (State), mechanical, and plumbing work that is not considered cosmetic.  
• A homeowner can pull their own permit if they are living at the location and have resided there for more than six months. On the permit application they will be listed as the homeowner and the contractor and must be the one whose signature is on the permit. If a homeowner is hiring a contractor to come do the work, the contractor must be the one to pull the permit
• All new construction and commercial projects must have a trade permit pulled by a licensed contractor. A master license is required as well as a State of Iowa contractor’s license to pull a trade permit as a contractor
• All trade permits will be submitted to the City Clerk.  The city will send the permit to Safe Building for approval.  Safe Building will review the trade permit, check licensing, and make sure it is filled out by the proper personnel based on the type of project
• Safe Building will send the approved permit back to the city 
• The city will notify the contractor and collect the permit fees
• Safe Building will issue a Certificate of Occupancy after the project is inspected
• All electrical trade permits will need to be submitted to the State. The city does not oversee electrical trade permits