Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-10-10
98 of Iowa's 99 counties — 99% — let an owner build their own home without a licensed contractor. That is the 8th-largest count of any state. The strongest of them on the Bolthole Index is Lucas County (78/100). Every entry below cites the county’s own official source.
Rules change, and cities inside these counties set their own — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All 2952 counties nationwide → Iowa: no building codes → Iowa: no zoning → Iowa: no codes, no zoning → Iowa: rv living → Iowa: tiny homes → Iowa: no minimum home size → Full Iowa profile →
98 of 99 Iowa counties · sorted by Index score
Statewide rule. Iowa contractor-registration requirements for a person performing construction work on the person's own real estate or property, including property in Lucas Coun…
Contractor Registration ↗Unincorporated Jefferson County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, …
Questions - Jefferson County Iowa Government ↗Statewide rule. A person performing construction work or having construction work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor regist…
Iowa Code chapter 91C — Construction contractors ↗Statewide rule. An owner-builder performing work or having work performed on the owner's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exempti…
Iowa Code §91C.1 — Definition — exemption ↗Statewide rule. Iowa contractor-registration requirements for a person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, including in Van Buren County. This…
Iowa Code §91C.1 — Definition — exemption ↗Statewide rule. A person performing construction work or having work performed on the person’s own property in Appanoose County The exemption is from being treated as a contract…
Iowa Code §91C.1 — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗A property owner who constructs the property's on-site wastewater system without using a listed registered Union County septic contractor. The owner assumes liability and respon…
Application for Installation of Onsite Septic System ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Owner-builders performing construction work on their own real estate or property in Ringgold County, Iowa, with respect to Iowa construction-contractor registrat…
Contractor Registration ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Iowa contractor-registration law applicable to an owner performing work, or having work performed, on that owner's own property, including property in Des Moines…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Iowa contractor-registration requirements for an individual or business performing construction work only on its own real estate or property. This is an exemptio…
Contractor Registration ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing construction work or having work performed on the person’s own property in Marion County, for purposes of Iowa contractor registration under …
Iowa Code § 91C.1 ↗Homeowners performing work covered by Chapter 43 on their primary residence. The exemption is from licensing requirements, not a blanket permit exemption. The homeowner must sig…
CHAPTER 43 REWRITE Official Approved 12-2-2025 ↗Statewide rule. Owner performance of plumbing, mechanical, HVAC-refrigeration, sheet-metal, or hydronic work on property in Iowa, including Madison County. The exemption applies…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 105 ↗Unincorporated Washington County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical,…
Rural Building & Development Permits ↗Statewide rule. Owner-performed electrical work and certain farm installations in Iowa, including Jones County. For an owner's principal residence, the residence must be an exis…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 103 — Electricians and Electrical Contractors ↗Statewide rule. An owner performing construction work or having work performed on the owner's own property, for purposes of Iowa construction-contractor registration under chapt…
Contractor Registration ↗Unincorporated Guthrie County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, pl…
Guthrie County Zoning Ordinance ↗Statewide rule. Registration as a contractor for plumbing and mechanical-professional work under Iowa Code chapter 91C, including work in Taylor County. The exemption is only fo…
Iowa Code § 91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Owner-builders performing or arranging construction on their own property in Harrison County, under Iowa Code chapter 91C. The exemption is from being treated as…
Iowa Code §91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process ↗Statewide rule. Whether an individual performing construction work on the individual's own property is a contractor subject to Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor-registration requ…
Iowa Code § 91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process ↗Statewide rule. Whether a person is a contractor for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C, including work on the person's own property. The person must either earn less than $2,000…
Iowa Code §91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process ↗Statewide rule. Construction contractors performing work or having work performed on their own property in Iowa, including O'Brien County. This exemption is from the definition …
Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals ↗Additional electrical work performed by a property owner in Muscatine County. The property owner must be receiving the Homestead Tax Credit. This statement concerns additional e…
Building Permits - Zoning - Muscatine County, Iowa ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. An owner performing work or having work performed on the owner’s own property in Black Hawk County, with respect to Iowa contractor-registration requirements. A …
Iowa Code §91C.1 — Construction Contractors ↗An owner seeking to act as general contractor for a building permit. A building permit is issued only to a State Registered General Contractor unless the Building Official, in d…
Chapter 24 Code of Ordinances ↗Statewide rule. Owner work on the owner’s principal residence under Iowa electrical licensing law. The residence must be an existing dwelling rather than new construction. It mu…
Iowa Code §103.22 — Chapter inapplicability ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗An agricultural exemption request for owner-associated construction in Linn County's unincorporated jurisdiction, including a new house, outbuilding, addition, remodel, or other…
Agricultural Exemption Request for Determination ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. An owner performing electrical work on the owner’s qualifying principal residence in Adair County, Iowa. The residence must be an existing dwelling rather than n…
Iowa Code § 103.22 — Chapter inapplicability ↗Statewide rule. An owner who performs work or has work performed on the owner’s own property, for purposes of Iowa contractor registration under Iowa Code chapter 91C; this is n…
Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property under Iowa contractor-registration law, including residential construction in Buen…
Definition exemption combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exclusion appl…
Iowa Code §91C.1 — Definition and exemption ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. An owner performing electrical work on the owner’s principal residence in Iowa. The residence must qualify for the homestead tax exemption. The residence must be…
Electrical Licensing FAQs ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Unincorporated Benton County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, plu…
Frequently Asked Questions - Land Use ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Iowa contractor-registration requirements for a person performing work on or having work performed on the person's own property, including in Pocahontas County. …
Iowa Code § 91C.1—Definition—exemption ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Owner-builders performing work on their own property under Iowa contractor-registration law. A person who performs work or has work performed on the person’s own…
Iowa Code §91C.1 - Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals ↗Owner-performed building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work on an owner-occupied single-family dwelling or mobile home and usual accessory buildings or living quarters. …
Chapter 10 Building Code ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration and licensing requi…
Iowa Code § 91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process ↗Iowa has no statewide residential contractor license; a property owner may apply for permits and act as their own builder on their own property (owner signature/applicant fields…
Polk County Building Services ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work on the person's own property, or a person earning less than $2,000 annually, for purposes of Iowa contractor-registration requirements. …
Iowa Code Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗A property owner personally constructing a drive into the owner's property under Cerro Gordo County Ordinance No. 20B; this is a waiver of the excavator-license bond requirement…
Cerro Gordo County Ordinance No. 20B — Contractors License ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Construction contractor registration under Iowa Code chapter 91C, including an owner performing work or having work performed on the owner's own property in Adam…
Contractor Registration ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. This is an exemptio…
Iowa Code § 91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Unincorporated Hamilton County: no county building permit is required, so there is no permit to be exempt from and you may build your own home. State licensing for electrical, p…
hamiltoncounty.iowa.gov ↗Statewide rule. A person performing construction on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration and licensing requirements. The exem…
Iowa Code § 91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. Iowa contractor-registration status for a person performing work or having work performed on the person’s own property, including in Winnebago County. The provis…
Iowa Code § 91C.1 — Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration. The exemption is f…
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors ↗Statewide rule. An individual performing work or having work performed on the person's own property for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration; this is not st…
Iowa Code § 91C.1 - Definition — exemption — combined registration and licensing process ↗Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. See the Iowa state page for all 99 counties ranked, or go back to the national list.
Off-grid gear
Building on land in one of these Iowa counties? The kit we'd start with:
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General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
