City Information-Permit Guidelines
NEW CONSTRUCTION & ADDITIONS TO CURRENT STRUCTURES: Square footage of the primary structure, for the purpose of the building permit, includes covered decks and attached garages.
* Single-Family - 1 story = 1,100 sq. ft.
* Single-Family – multi-story = 900 sq. ft. first story with a total minimum of 1,500
sq. ft. (excluding basement).
*Single-Family – split level = 1,100 sq. ft. first floor with a total minimum of 1,500
sq. ft.
*Multi-Family = 600 sq. ft.
MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE shall not exceed 40% of the entire lot. The main building, accessory buildings,permanent swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, cement or brick slabs (excluding driveways and sidewalks), patios, garages, storage sheds and decks are all included in lot coverage.
SET BACKS:
Front Yard – 25 ft.
Side Yard – 1 story = 7 ft.
2 stories = 8 ft.
3+ stories = 10 ft.
Corner lot = 25 ft. on street side
Rear Yard – 30 ft. for main structure, 5 ft. for accessory building and 7 ft. for swimming pools.
The eaves of a building may project into the set back requirement a maximum of 1 ft.
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS:
· Accessory buildings such as a garage or shed shall not exceed
30 x 24 feet, or be in excess of 15 ft. high.
· All accessory buildings must be separated from the main building by 10 ft.
· Accessory buildings must be at least 7 ft. from the side yard and 5 ft. from any rear yard.
· All accessory buildings must be in the rear yard.
· Vertical steel siding, typical of an agricultural setting, may not be used in residential zones.
· Accessory buildings shall be single story with no basement
· Accessory buildings may not be designed or used for habitation: no sewer or floor drain (directly or indirectly) may be connected to City sanitary sewer.
· For the application to be complete, the dimensions of the building and the location must be included.
· The permit fee for an accessory building is $.10/sq. ft. of exterior area, or a minimum of $50.00.
SWIMMING POOLS:
A swimming pool is any artificial basin of water with a capacity of
500 gallons or more or has a depth of 3 feet or more.
· A permit is needed to construct, enlarge, alter or otherwise improve a swimming pool. There is a one-time permit charge of $30.00 for all pools (temporary have to apply each year, but there is no fee to reapply). Apply for a permit 10 days in advance of construction or use of a pool.
· Every permanent swimming pool (in-ground or above-ground) shall be completely surrounded by a wood or plastic composite privacy fence or wall 6 ft. in height. Chain link fences are not allowed. All gates and doors in the fence or wall shall be self-latching or self closing.
· Pools must be set back 7 ft. from property lines, buildings, fences, walls or decks that are not attached to the pool.
Fences and Retaining Walls:
A permit is needed to construct, enlarge, alter or otherwise improve a fence/wall. The following are maximum fence/retaining wall heights:
* Front yard - 3.5 ft.
* Rear yard - 6.0 ft.
* Side (Lot side) 6.0 ft.
* Side (Street side) 3.5 ft.
DRIVEWAYS AND SIDEWALKS: A permit is required, but there is no fee. Completed permits must be received at City Hall no less than 3 business days prior to excavation.
EXCAVATION: IOWA ONE CALL (1-800-292-8989) SHOULD BE CONTACTED 48 HOURS BEFORE DIGGING FOR ANY PROJECT WHERE EXCAVATION WILL TAKE PLACE.