Bolthole Index

Des Moines County, Iowa

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Des Moines County, Iowa

69Index Score / 100
#15 of 99 in Iowa

Unincorporated Des Moines County, Iowa has no confirmed general countywide building permit, but almost all new construction near Burlington needs a county zoning permit before work begins12. Outside that limited area the county has no zoning ordinance, and inside Burlington, West Burlington, Mediapolis, Danville and Middletown the city handles zoning and permit information34. Septic permits for every address in the county, city or not, come from Des Moines County Public Health5.

At a glance

Building permit
No general countywide building permit confirmed; a zoning permit is required for almost all new construction in the Burlington-area county zoning jurisdiction12
Zoning
County zoning applies near Burlington, not countywide3
Septic
A County Public Health construction permit is required before installing or altering a private septic system56
RV living
Outside the Burlington-area zoning jurisdiction the county has no zoning ordinance, but we could not confirm a county camping or RV occupancy rule; ask Land Use3
Tiny homes
No express tiny-home rule confirmed; inside the Burlington-area zoning jurisdiction the zoning ordinance applies, elsewhere in unincorporated land the county has no zoning ordinance3
Owner-builder
Iowa exempts work on your own property from contractor registration, not from permits or code compliance7
Private wells
County Public Health reviews sites and inspects new and reconstructed wells, but a local permit requirement is unconfirmed8

Who to call

Zoning

Des Moines County Land Use Department

County planning, zoning and floodplain permits, subdivision review, and land-use ordinance enforcement

319-753-4313

zjames@seirpc.com

211 N. Gear Ave.

Septic permits

Des Moines County Public Health — Environmental Health

On-site wastewater plan review, site approval, permits and inspections; private-well review and inspections

319-753-8290

Roads & driveways

Des Moines County Roads

County-road access questions and driveway permit applications when required

319-753-8241

office@dmcroads.org

13522 Washington Rd. West Burlington, IA 52655

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Des Moines County, Iowa?

Des Moines County has not confirmed a general countywide residential building permit for ordinary private construction1. The firm local requirement is a zoning permit for almost all new construction and development in the county zoning jurisdiction near Burlington, obtained before construction begins2. Qualifying agricultural uses are exempt from that zoning rule, although work in a Special Flood Hazard Area may still need floodplain approval2. Iowa's state building code applies only in specified circumstances, including state projects, certain state-funded construction, factory-built structures and governmental subdivisions that adopt it9. Ask the Land Use Department whether the exact parcel needs zoning or floodplain approval and whether any building-code inspection or certificate of occupancy applies10.

Who issues building permits and zoning permits in Des Moines County?

The Des Moines County Land Use Department is the first call for county zoning permits, floodplain permits and subdivision questions for land outside city limits; the county contracts with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to provide that service10. Call 319-753-4313, email zjames@seirpc.com or visit 211 N. Gear Ave.10. For land outside city limits, the published zoning-permit fee is $25 for accessory use only or $40 when a principal use is included, while a floodplain development permit is $2511. Subdivision review applies throughout unincorporated Des Moines County, and final plats must be recorded within 6 months after Board of Supervisors approval or they become void12. Des Moines County Public Health separately handles septic permits, review and inspections at 319-753-8290, and that stays with the county even for addresses inside a city58. For a new entrance tied to a subdivision on a county road, contact Des Moines County Roads at 319-753-8241 or office@dmcroads.org1314.

Does Des Moines County have zoning?

Des Moines County zoning is not countywide: it applies in a limited area near Burlington, while the remaining unincorporated county has no county zoning ordinance3. Rules inside the zoned area depend on district and use15. An A-1 single-family dwelling generally needs 2 acres and 150 feet of lot width, with exceptions for certain existing lots and farmstead splits16. A-1 principal uses are limited to 2 full stories or 35 feet and have 30-foot front and rear setbacks plus a 15-foot side setback1718. On R-1 lots under 40,000 square feet, maximum lot coverage is 25%19. Burlington administers its own zoning, and the county directs applicants in Burlington, West Burlington, Mediapolis, Danville and Middletown to the relevant city for permit information4.

How do septic permits work in Des Moines County?

Des Moines County Public Health Environmental Health reviews septic plans and sites, issues permits, and inspects new and reconstructed systems5. A construction permit from the administrative authority is required before installing or altering a private sewage system; repairs that do not change treatment or disposal are exempt6. A private system generally cannot be installed when public sewer is available, with the administrative authority making the final determination6. In the Burlington-area zoning jurisdiction, County Health must approve the proposed sewer system before a zoning permit can issue for a new building needing wastewater treatment20. Only 0.1% of county soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so obtain site approval before relying on a conventional design21. Iowa requires the administrative authority to inspect every newly constructed private system before it is backfilled, and to keep a final as-built drawing with the construction permit22. Iowa also generally requires a private sewage system serving 1–4 dwelling units to be inspected before an ownership transfer, subject to statutory exceptions23.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Des Moines County?

The Des Moines County zoning ordinance covers only a limited area near Burlington; the remaining unincorporated county has no county zoning ordinance3. We could not confirm a county rule on temporary camping, RV occupancy or tiny-home occupancy outside that area, so ask the Land Use Department to locate your parcel and say what applies before you park an RV or place a tiny home10. Inside the zoning area, recreational vehicle parks are defined as overnight or temporary lodging where vehicles are not used as a dwelling or permanent residence, so do not assume a vehicle can serve as a home there24. Inside incorporated cities, the city's rules control4. Iowa also prevents a county from rejecting a residence solely because it is a manufactured home, but county zoning may apply the same permanent-foundation, setback and minimum-square-footage standards imposed on a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot25. Septic, floodplain, road-access and deed-restriction requirements apply regardless of zoning; any new or altered private sewage system still needs the required construction permit6.

How do you build a home in Des Moines County?

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is inside a city, in the county zoning area near Burlington or elsewhere in unincorporated Des Moines County4.
  2. If county zoning applies, obtain the district, setbacks, height and lot standards from the Land Use Department1510.
  3. Have County Public Health review the wastewater site and obtain the construction permit before installing or altering a private system56.
  4. Submit a site plan and applicable floor plans with the zoning-permit application when county zoning applies26.
  5. Ask Land Use about floodplain approval and County Roads about a new entrance associated with a subdivision1013.
  6. If you build it yourself, Iowa's contractor-registration exemption for work on your own property does not exempt you from zoning, septic, building-code or other permits27.
  7. Confirm whether a building-code inspection or certificate of occupancy applies, because the county has not confirmed those requirements for ordinary residential work1.

What should you check before buying land in Des Moines County?

Start with jurisdiction: confirm whether the parcel is inside a city, in the county zoning area near Burlington or in the unzoned remainder of unincorporated Des Moines County4. Order septic feasibility work before closing because only 0.1% of county soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field21. Verify floodplain status and legal road access with Land Use and County Roads before choosing a house site1013. Ask Public Health about private-well siting and inspection; the county describes inspection but does not confirm whether a well permit is required8. If the purchase creates a new parcel, confirm subdivision approval and the deadline for recording the final plat12. Des Moines County's effective property-tax rate is about 1.5%, and its median annual property-tax bill is about $2,0972829.

Watch-outs

  • County zoning near Burlington is not the same as a countywide building-code permit; ask the Land Use Department which approvals apply before construction110.
  • Only 0.1% of Des Moines County soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so septic feasibility can change a property's usable building area and cost21.
  • Des Moines County's lack of a zoning ordinance applies only outside the Burlington-area zoning jurisdiction and incorporated cities, and we could not confirm RV or camping rules there; locate the parcel and call Land Use before relying on it410.
  • Iowa's contractor-registration exemption for owners working on their own property does not exempt the work from zoning, septic, building-code or other permit requirements27.

Sources

  1. Des Moines County Land Use Department (2026 county census)
  2. Land Use Department - Des Moines County Government - Iowa, quoted and re-checked
  3. Land Use Department - Des Moines County Government - Iowa, quoted and re-checked
  4. Land Use Department - Des Moines County Government - Iowa, quoted and re-checked
  5. Environmental Health - Public Health - Des Moines County, IA, quoted and re-checked
  6. Iowa Administrative Code, Chapter 69: Private Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  7. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Des Moines County Public Health — Environmental Health (desmoinescounty.iowa.gov)
  9. Building Code Plan Review (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Des Moines County Land Use Department (desmoinescounty.iowa.gov)
  11. Fee Schedule - Land Use Department - Des Moines County, Iowa, quoted and re-checked
  12. Land Use Department - Des Moines County Government - Iowa, quoted and re-checked
  13. Final Plat Application - Des Moines County, quoted and re-checked
  14. Des Moines County Roads (desmoinescounty.iowa.gov)
  15. Des Moines County Zoning Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  16. Des Moines County Zoning Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  17. Des Moines County Zoning Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  18. Des Moines County Zoning Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  19. Des Moines County Zoning Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  20. Des Moines County Zoning Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Iowa Administrative Code — Chapter 567.69 Private Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  23. Iowa Code §455B.172, Jurisdiction of department and local boards (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Zoning Ordinance, Des Moines County, Iowa, Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  25. Iowa Code §335.30, Manufactured and modular homes (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Des Moines County Zoning Ordinance No. 34, quoted and re-checked
  27. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors, quoted and re-checked
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 5 of its 6 neighbors, Des Moines County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

RuleDes Moines CountyHenry CountyLouisa CountyLee CountyWashington CountyJefferson CountyVan Buren County
Building permitLimitedRequiredRequiredLimitedNot requiredNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoYesYesNoNoNoNot published
Septic permitsCounty Public HealthCounty Env. HealthCounty Public HealthCounty Health Dept.County Env. Health Dept.County Env. HealthCounty Sanitarian

County locator

Des Moines County in Iowa

69
County map
Des Moines County highlighted among the Iowa counties · colored by Index score

How Des Moines County scores

Seclusion51100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency64100% ev.
Admin Boringness61100% ev.
Durability59100% ev.
Property Autonomy51100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$151kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$7,802Land / acre
38.2"Annual rain
5.7% of yrsSevere drought
6.6 / yr (+6)Mid-century 100°F days
16.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.88" (+7.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.75×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,489Home insurance / yr
2.1% / yrInsurance growth
0.57%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
52,198People within 30 min
1,537,866People within 2 hr
45,351Radius comparison (15 mi)
91.9People / sq mi
8.6%Federal land
87.8%Land at 15% slope or less
0.1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
163 acWorkable land screen
23.9%Wooded land
49.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
51.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Des Moines County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Danville · Mediapolis · Middletown

Answers from the rulebook for Des Moines County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Des Moines County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    New construction and development in the county zoning jurisdiction within 2 miles of the City of Burlington.

    • A zoning permit is required for almost all new construction and development projects in the two-mile area and must be submitted before construction begins.
    • The ordinance exempts qualifying agricultural uses; agricultural construction or excavation in Special Flood Hazard Areas may require floodplain permits.
    • This is a zoning-permit rule, not an affirmative finding of a countywide building-code permit.
    “Except when exempted by Division 10, Section 10 of this Ordinance, or Section G of this Division, prior to the issuance of a Zoning Permit by the Land Use Administrator, it shall be unlawful to construct, erect, enlarge, move, alter, or reconstruct any building or structure, or to change the use of any building, structure or land from one classification (agricultural, residential, commercial, or industrial) to another.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent (with conditions)

    County zoning in unincorporated Des Moines County outside the County Zoning Ordinance's designated two-mile jurisdiction around Burlington.

    • The County Zoning Ordinance applies within a two-mile radius of Burlington, subject to the ordinance's exceptions for overlapping Burlington/West Burlington authority and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.
    • If a parcel is crossed by the two-mile radius, the entire parcel is subject to the ordinance; parcels later subdivided entirely outside the radius cease to be subject to it.
    • Agricultural uses and certain agricultural structures are exempt under the ordinance, and floodplain requirements may still apply.

    county zoning jurisdiction radius: 2 miles (Measured from the corporate limits of the City of Burlington.)

    “The County Zoning Ordinance only covers a specific area of land within 2 miles of the City of Burlington.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Des Moines County, including the county's limited unincorporated zoning jurisdiction and zoning administered by incorporated municipalities.

    • Des Moines County zoning applies only within the two-mile Burlington area and its stated exceptions.
    • Within incorporated Burlington, the City of Burlington administers its own zoning and subdivision regulations.
    • For properties inside Burlington, West Burlington, Mediapolis, Danville, or Middletown, the county directs applicants to the relevant city for permit information.
    • Other permits may apply in floodplain or airport approach zones.

    county zoning jurisdiction radius: 2 miles (Measured from the corporate limits of Burlington.)

    “Staff administers Burlington's Zoning and Subdivision Regulations.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land subject to the county zoning ordinance within its two-mile Burlington jurisdiction.

    • The official map is kept by the Land Use Administrator and available to the public.
    • District regulations are minimum standards for new development within each district.

    published districts: A-1 Agricultural; R-1 Single and Two-Family Residential; R-1A Riverfront Residential; R-2 Multi-Family Residential; C-1 General Commercial; I-1 Industrial; PUD Planned Unit Development Overlay; FP Floodplain Overlay

    “DIVISION 20. “A-1" AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT [...] DIVISION 25. “R-1" SINGLE AND TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT [...] DIVISION 30. “R-1A" RIVERFRONT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT [...] DIVISION 35. “R-2" MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT [...] DIVISION 40. “C-1" GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT [...] DIVISION 45. “I-1" INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT [...] DIVISION 50. “PUD” PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT [...] DIVISION 55. “FP” FLOODPLAIN OVERLAY DISTRICT”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential development in zoning districts within the county zoning jurisdiction near Burlington.

    • In the A-1 district, single-family dwellings generally require 2 acres and 150 feet of lot width.
    • A preexisting lot of record under 2 acres, or a new lot splitting an existing farmstead, must instead comply with R-1 bulk regulations.
    • Other districts and sewer-service configurations have different standards.

    A-1 single-family minimum lot area: 2 acres (Lots of record under 2 acres existing before ordinance adoption and new lots splitting existing farmsteads follow R-1 bulk regulations.) · A-1 single-family minimum lot width: 150 feet

    “The dwelling shall have a minimum lot area of two (2) acres and a minimum lot width of one-hundred fifty (150) feet.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Permitted principal uses in the A-1 zoning district within the county zoning jurisdiction near Burlington.

    • Other districts and uses have different setbacks.
    • The ordinance says agricultural-use setbacks are strongly encouraged and voluntary where the agricultural exemption applies.

    A-1 principal-use front setback: 30 feet · A-1 principal-use rear setback: 30 feet · A-1 principal-use side setback: 15 feet

    “For all Permitted Principal Uses, the minimum front and rear setbacks shall be thirty (30) feet, and the minimum side setback shall be fifteen (15) feet.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 residential lots in the county zoning jurisdiction near Burlington.

    • The stated maximum applies to R-1 lots under 40,000 square feet; other district standards may differ.

    R-1 maximum lot coverage: 25 percent (Applies to any lot under 40,000 square feet in size.)

    “For any lot of under forty thousand (40,000) square feet in size, the maximum lot coverage shall be twenty-five (25) percent of the lot area.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Permitted uses in the A-1 zoning district within the county zoning jurisdiction near Burlington.

    • Other zoning districts have different height limits.

    A-1 building height: <= 2 full stories · A-1 building height: <= 35 feet

    “For all permitted uses, no building shall exceed two (2) full stories or thirty-five (35) feet in height.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds within the portion of unincorporated Des Moines County covered by Ordinance No. 34, within two miles of the City of Burlington, and located in a C-1 General Commercial District.

    • The ordinance defines a recreational vehicle park/campground as providing overnight or temporary lodging and states that recreational vehicles are not used as a dwelling or permanent residence.
    • Establishment or expansion requires submission of a Major Site Plan in a C-1 District.
    • Each recreational vehicle or camper site/pad must have access to an on-site water and sewer system approved by the County Health Department.
    • Each site/pad must have access to electrical power of at least 110 volts.
    • The park must comply with applicable state and local health, safety, and general-operation regulations.
    • Minimum site/pad area is 5,000 square feet per recreational vehicle/camper; minimum setback is 35 feet on all sides; minimum distance between sites/pads is 15 feet.

    minimum site/pad area: >= 5000 square feet (per recreational vehicle/camper) · minimum setback: >= 35 feet (all sides; applies to sites/pads, the front office building, and associated permanent structures) · minimum distance between sites/pads: >= 15 feet · electrical service: >= 110 volts

    “RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK/CAMPGROUND. A commercial business that provides accommodations for the occupants of recreational vehicles and travel/camper trailers, which are parked for overnight or temporary lodging, and not used as dwelling/permanent residence.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site wastewater systems in Des Moines County.

    • County Environmental Health performs plan review and site approval, issues permits, inspects new and reconstructed systems, and investigates complaints.
    “The staff for the Environmental Division of the Des Moines County Public Health Department provides inspection and disease prevention services designed to control the factors that are responsible for the spread of disease through food, water, and other environmental exposures. [...] Plan review and site approval. [...] Issue permits Download Permit Here.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Private sewage disposal systems in Des Moines County, including new and reconstructed systems.

    • Des Moines County Public Health Environmental Health performs plan review and site approval before issuing permits.
    • The county page specifically identifies inspections of new and reconstructed systems and complaint investigations; it does not state a general routine inspection requirement for every existing system.
    • State time-of-transfer requirements and applicable exemptions also apply.
    “Plan review and site approval. Issue permits Download Permit Here. Inspection of new and reconstructed systems. Investigate complaints.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    On-site wastewater treatment for new residential buildings in the county zoning jurisdiction within 2 miles of Burlington.

    • Single- and two-family residential dwellings may use an on-site sewer system only when cluster or municipal sewer is not readily available.
    • County Health must approve the form of sewer system before a zoning permit issues.
    “Single and two-family residential dwellings may use an on-site sewer system if access to a cluster or municipal sewer system is not readily available.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Buildings requiring wastewater treatment in the county zoning jurisdiction within 2 miles of Burlington.

    • No zoning permit for a new building requiring wastewater treatment may issue until County Health approves the sewer-system form.
    • Single- and two-family dwellings may use on-site sewer only if cluster or municipal sewer is not readily available.
    • For multi-family, commercial, and industrial uses, on-site sewer is allowed only when Health approves it instead of cluster or municipal sewer.
    “No Zoning Permit for a new building requiring wastewater treatment shall be issued until the County Health Department has approved the form of sewer system to be used for that building. [...] Single and two-family residential dwellings may use an on-site sewer system if access to a cluster or municipal sewer system is not readily available.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plat review in unincorporated Des Moines County.

    • The Land Use Administrator shares final plats with County Health and County Secondary Roads.
    • Final plats are null and void unless recorded within 6 months of Board of Supervisors approval.
    • In the two-mile zoning area, new buildings or additions require zoning permits; floodplain permits may also be required depending on 100-year floodplain location.

    recording deadline after Board approval: <= 6 months (Final plat and accompanying material otherwise become null and void.)

    “The final plat and accompanying material shall be considered null and void unless it is recorded within 6 months of approval by the Board of Supervisors.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    New private roadway or driveway access to a county road associated with a subdivision.

    • A permit application must be requested from County Secondary Roads if a new private roadway or driveway is necessary to access a county road.
    • The applicant is advised to consult Secondary Roads before submitting the subdivision application to assess whether the entrance is feasible.
    “If a new private roadway or driveway is necessary to access a County road, you will need to request a permit application from their office.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County Land Use permits for properties outside city corporate limits.

    • The published applications are only for unincorporated county properties outside city limits.
    • Cities require separate permit information.
    • The page lists zoning, subdivision, floodplain-development, and airport-height fees.

    zoning permit fee, accessory use only: 25 USD · zoning permit fee, principal use included: 40 USD · floodplain development permit fee: 25 USD

    “Zoning | Zoning or Special Use Permit | $25 - Zoning Permit, Accessory Use only $40 - Zoning Permit, Principal Use included”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning-permit applications in the county zoning jurisdiction within 2 miles of Burlington.

    • Applicants must provide the specified identity, property, project, dimensions, height, proposed-use, and unit-count information.
    • A site plan and, when applicable, building floor plans must accompany the application; floor plans may be waived for accessory buildings.
    • The Land Use Administrator may require additional information and approves or denies according to ordinance compliance.
    “Each application for a Zoning Permit shall be accompanied by the following: a) A site plan for the proposed development, as further detailed in Division 110 of this Ordinance. b) Building floor plans, whenever applicable. This requirement may be waived for accessory buildings.”

Iowa rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    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 County.

    • The exemption is from treatment as a contractor for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C; it does not establish an exemption from local zoning, septic, building-code, or other permit requirements.
    • A person earning less than $2,000 annually is also excluded from the chapter's contractor definition.

    annual earnings threshold: < 2000 USD (A person earning less than this amount is not a contractor for purposes of chapter 91C.)

    “earns less than two thousand dollars annually or [...] has work performed on the person’s own property is not a contractor for purposes of this chapter.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration.
      “However, a person who earns less than two thousand dollars annually or who performs work or has work performed on the person’s own property is not a contractor for purposes of this chapter.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Des Moines County and other Iowa governmental subdivisions, for buildings and structures subject to Iowa Code chapter 103A.

    • The state building code applies to all buildings and structures owned by the state or a state agency.
    • The state building code applies in a governmental subdivision when its governing body has enacted an ordinance accepting application of the code.
    • The state building code applies to newly constructed buildings and structures paid for in whole or in part with state-appropriated money when they are not wholly state-owned.
    • In each city with a population greater than 15,000 that has not adopted a substantially equivalent local building code, the city must enforce the state building code, including Iowa Code §103A.19(2).
    • State building-code provisions concerning manufacture and installation of factory-built structures apply throughout Iowa.
    • A commissioner-approved factory-built structure is deemed compliant with building regulations applicable to its manufacture and installation and is exempt from other state or local building regulations, subject to the stated professional-engineering and architectural exceptions and the manufactured-home exception in §103A.51(4).
    • Thermal-efficiency and energy-conservation provisions apply to all Iowa construction containing enclosed heated or cooled space, subject to appropriate exceptions where application would be impractical.
    • Lighting-efficiency provisions apply to all Iowa construction and to new and replacement lighting in existing buildings.
    • Commissioner-adopted and council-approved energy-conservation requirements apply to new construction commenced on or after July 1, 2008, and supersede earlier governmental-subdivision minimum energy-conservation requirements applicable to that construction.
    • The official county hazard-mitigation plan states that the state-adopted 2015 IFC is required for all occupancies statewide and that local jurisdictions may adopt remaining state-adopted codes or stricter codes.

    population threshold for automatic city enforcement: > 15000 persons (Applies to each city that has not adopted a local building code substantially in accord with nationally recognized building-code standards.) · energy-conservation applicability date: >= 2008-07-01 (Applies to new construction commenced on or after this date.)

    “In each governmental subdivision where the governing body has enacted an ordinance accepting the application of the code.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — The Iowa State Building Code, including the 2024 International Building Code adopted by reference with Iowa amendments, applies statewide to state-owned buildings and structures, qualifying state-funded construction, certain cities over 15,000 that lack a substantially equivalent local building code, and governmental subdivisions that accept the code by ordinance. Factory-built-structure provisions apply throughout Iowa.
      “The state building code shall be applicable: [...] In each governmental subdivision where the governing body has enacted an ordinance accepting the application of the code.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Buildings and structures subject to Iowa Code section 103A.10A, including newly constructed state-owned buildings, state-board-of-regents buildings, and certain state-funded buildings.

    • Newly constructed state-owned buildings and structures subject to the state building code are subject to plan review and inspection, excluding renovations and repairs except as provided by statute.
    • Newly constructed buildings owned by the state board of regents are subject to plan review and inspection, excluding renovations and repairs except as provided by statute.
    • State-funded buildings not wholly owned by the state are subject to state plan review and inspection when the governmental subdivision has not adopted the listed codes or does not perform inspections; otherwise they must comply with the local codes and inspections.
    • For ordinary privately owned construction, inspection administration is governed by the applicable local law or ordinance.
    “All newly constructed buildings or structures subject to the state building code, including any addition, but excluding any renovation or repair of such a building or structure, owned by the state or an agency of the state, except as provided in subsection 2, shall be subject to a plan review and inspection by the commissioner or an independent building inspector appointed by the commissioner.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy or use for buildings subject to Iowa's State Building Code and certificates approving specified buildings, facilities, or installations for licensure.

    • A local building department issues certificates of occupancy or use when required by ordinance.
    • When issued for a building constructed under the state building code, the certificate must certify conformity with the code and is in the form prescribed by the governing body of the governmental subdivision.
    • For facilities governed by Iowa Administrative Code chapter 481.280, if a certificate of occupancy is required for use, it will not be issued until the inspection fee is paid.
    • Chapter 481.280.5 applies to a certificate approving a building, facility, or installation for occupancy upon request from an owner or owner's agency when applicable rules are satisfied and all fees are paid.
    • The state sources do not require a certificate of occupancy for every building statewide.

    additional reinspection fee: 125 USD (Applies for each additional reinspection after the initial reinspection when original deficiencies remain uncorrected.)

    “Issue certificates of occupancy or use, permits, licenses, and other documents in connection with the construction of buildings or structures as may be required by ordinance. (1) A certificate of occupancy or use for a building or structure constructed in accordance with the provisions of the state building code shall certify that the building or structure conforms to the requirements of the code. The certificate shall be in the form the governing body of the governmental subdivision prescribes.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum dwelling-size standards imposed by county zoning regulations on manufactured homes in Iowa.

    • County zoning under chapter 335 is optional and applies only where the county board of supervisors has adopted it.
    • The local standard must be the same standard applicable to a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot.
    • The cited provision does not supply a statewide numeric minimum square-footage value.
    “However, a zoning ordinance or regulation shall require that a manufactured home be located and installed according to the same standards, including but not limited to a permanent foundation system, set-back, and minimum square footage, which would apply to a site-built, single family dwelling on the same lot, and shall require that the home is assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Placement and residential occupancy of manufactured homes under county zoning statewide in Iowa

    • A county may not disallow the proposed residential structure solely because it is a manufactured home.
    • The home must be located and installed under the same standards applicable to a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot, including permanent foundation, setback, and minimum square footage standards.
    • The home must be assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling.
    • A county may not require an incompatible perimeter foundation system and may not require more than one permanent foundation system.
    • Outside a manufactured home community or mobile home park, requirements may ensure visual compatibility of the permanent foundation system with surrounding residential structures.
    • Recorded restrictive covenants are not abrogated.
    • Counties may regulate transportation, water, sewerage, and other land development; the statute also bars width standards greater than twenty-four feet and certain design standards when federal standards are met.

    maximum mandated width standard: <= 24 feet (if the housing otherwise complies with 42 U.S.C. §5403)

    “A county shall not adopt or enforce zoning regulations or other ordinances which disallow the plans and specifications of a proposed residential structure solely because the proposed structure is a manufactured home. However, a zoning ordinance or regulation shall require that a manufactured home be located and installed according to the same standards, including but not limited to a permanent foundation system, set-back, and minimum square footage, which would apply to a site-built, single family dwelling on the same lot, and shall require that the home is assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    City regulation of accessory dwelling units statewide in Iowa, within a zoning district where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use

    • At least one accessory dwelling unit must be allowed on the same lot as a single-family residence.
    • The accessory dwelling unit must comply with applicable building regulations under chapter 103A.
    • The unit may not exceed 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the size of the single-family residence, whichever is larger; unfinished basements are excluded from the size calculation.
    • Historic-building-code restrictions, deed restrictions, and common-interest-community rules may limit or prohibit construction or use.
    • A manufactured or mobile home used as the accessory dwelling unit must be converted to real property by placement on a permanent foundation and assessed for real-estate taxes under section 435.26.
    • A historic-preservation area may regulate the unit to the extent the city or commission determines it incongruous and records its reasons.
    • Effective July 1, 2026.

    maximum accessory dwelling unit size: 1,000 square feet or 50% of the single-family residence, whichever is larger (unfinished basements excluded from the size calculation)

    “A city shall allow a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single family residence within a zoning district where a single family residence is an allowed principal use, in accordance with the following conditions:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — County regulation of accessory dwelling units statewide in Iowa, within a zoning district where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use
      “A county shall allow a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single family residence within a zoning district where a single family residence is an allowed principal use, in accordance with the following conditions:”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation or alteration of private sewage disposal systems (PSDSs) statewide in Iowa, including systems serving four homes or fewer or fewer than 15 people.

    • A construction permit issued by the administrative authority must be obtained before construction.
    • The administrative authority is the Iowa DNR or the local county board of health.
    • Local boards of health have primary responsibility for PSDSs serving four homes or fewer or fewer than 15 people; the Iowa DNR has primary responsibility for larger public systems.
    • Repair of existing PSDS components that does not change treatment or disposal of the waste is not considered an alteration, but discharge restrictions continue to apply.
    • When a publicly owned treatment works is available, or a local ordinance requires connection, a PSDS may not be installed, repaired, or rehabilitated; a POTW may be considered unavailable when it is more than 200 feet from the proposed building or exterior drainage facility, subject to the administrative authority’s final determination.
    • When a POTW is unavailable, every building where persons generate domestic sewage must be provided with an approved PSDS; a holding tank may be used only if all other PSDS options are impractical.
    • All constructed or altered PSDSs must comply with Chapter 69, and newly constructed systems require an administrative-authority final inspection before backfilling.
    • Systems discharging to designated waters of the state or subsurface drainage tile must comply with NPDES General Permit No. 4 and submit a Notice of Intent before use.

    POTW distance threshold: <= 200 feet (A POTW may be considered unavailable when it is more than 200 feet from the proposed building or exterior drainage facility.) · regulated residential scale: 4 homes or fewer or less than 15 people (Larger public systems are primarily regulated by the Iowa DNR.)

    “69.1(4) Construction permit required. No PSDS shall be installed or altered as described in 69.1(3)“b” unless a construction permit issued by the administrative authority is obtained prior to construction. PSDS installation shall be in accordance with these rules.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Private sewage disposal systems installed or altered in Des Moines County under Iowa's statewide private sewage rules.
      “No PSDS shall be installed or altered as described in 69.1(3) “b” unless a construction permit issued by the administrative authority is obtained prior to construction.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction of private water-supply wells statewide in Iowa, including household, livestock, commercial, processing, irrigation, recreational, industrial, monitoring, dewatering, and related wells identified by the Iowa DNR.

    • A private well construction permit is required for all water-supply wells.
    • For private water-supply wells serving fewer than 25 individuals or fewer than 15 water-service connections, permits are issued by local county health departments, except Osceola County, which lacks authority to issue private well construction permits; the Iowa DNR handles permitting there.
    • The applicant must submit an application and county application fee; each county sets its own fee.
    • The county reviews completeness and location relative to contamination sources and issues or denies the permit in writing before construction proceeds.
    • The county and DNR must be allowed to visit the proposed well site before, during, and after construction.
    • Public water-supply wells serving 25 or more individuals or having 15 or more water-service connections require a Public Water Supply Construction Permit issued by Iowa DNR Water Supply Engineering; county private-well programs cannot issue those permits.
    • Private well permits are not required for geotechnical borings without well casing or screens, Geoprobe-style boreholes without temporary or permanent casing, and cathodic-protection wells.
    • Trench dewatering does not require a private well construction permit.
    • Separate water-allocation, NPDES, floodplain, or underground-injection permits may also be required depending on the project.

    public water supply threshold: >= 25 individuals served (A public-water-supply construction permit is also required at 15 or more water-service connections.) · public water supply threshold: >= 15 water-service connections (A public-water-supply construction permit is also required when 25 or more individuals are served.) · geothermal loop depth threshold: >= 20 feet (Closed-loop and open-loop geothermal systems at or beyond this depth require a private well construction permit.)

    “Private Well Construction Permits are required for all water supply wells, and for all geothermal systems - closed-loop and open-loop - that are 20 feet or greater in depth.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Land, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings, and other buildings or structures primarily adapted by reason of nature and area for agricultural purposes, while used for those purposes, under county ordinances adopted pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 335.

    • The exemption applies except to the extent required to implement section 335.27.
    • An ordinance may still apply to any structure, building, dam, obstruction, deposit, or excavation in or on the floodplains of any river or stream.
    • The county may not require an application, approval, or fee for the ordinance to be deemed inapplicable under this section.
    • Qualifying land, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings, or other buildings or structures may qualify independently or in combination with other agricultural uses.
    • Land enrolled in a soil or water conservation program is considered land primarily adapted for agricultural purposes.
    • The exemption concerns ordinances adopted under chapter 335; chapter 335 applies to a county at the option of its board of supervisors.
    “no ordinance adopted under this chapter applies”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Iowa counties may adopt zoning ordinances for land and structures within the county but outside the corporate limits of any city.

    • Chapter 335 applies to any Iowa county at the option of its board of supervisors.
    • The zoning power is subject to Iowa Code section 335.2: ordinances generally do not apply to agricultural land, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings, or other structures primarily adapted for agricultural purposes while so used, except that ordinances may apply to structures, buildings, dams, obstructions, deposits, or excavations in or on river or stream floodplains.
    • A county may not require an application, approval, or fee for an ordinance to be deemed inapplicable to qualifying agricultural land or structures.
    • A county may not regulate, restrict, or prohibit the location of permanent buildings or temporary structures used for consumer-fireworks sales pursuant to section 10A.519 in locations zoned commercial or industrial.
    • The board of supervisors may divide the county into zoning districts, and regulations may differ among districts.
    • Regulations and restrictions require public-hearing and notice procedures under sections 335.6 and 331.305; district boundaries must identify the affected township and section and, if possible, streets or roads.
    • Energy-conservation and solar-access objectives do not require zoning in a county that did not have zoning before July 1, 1981.
    “applicable to any county [...] at the option of the board of supervisors [...] outside of the corporate limits of any city.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Iowa counties may adopt, administer, and enforce county building codes and may administer and enforce the state building code for buildings, including residential construction, in county jurisdiction outside incorporated municipalities, subject to statutory limitations.

    • A county building code may not apply within the incorporated area of a city except at the city's option.
    • A county building code may not apply within a city's two-mile limit under Iowa Code §414.23 to the extent the city has adopted a building code within that two-mile limit.
    • A county building code may not apply to farm houses or other farm buildings primarily adapted for agricultural purposes while so used or under construction for that use.
    • Administration and enforcement are conducted as prescribed by local law or ordinance.
    • The state building code applies in a governmental subdivision only after the governing body adopts an ordinance accepting it and files a certified copy with the commissioner; the ordinance fixes the effective date, which must be no more than six months after adoption.
    • A local building department may prohibit commencement of construction until a permit is issued after showing compliance with applicable state building-code provisions.
    • Thermal-efficiency energy-conservation standards apply to construction containing heated or cooled enclosed space, but the commissioner must provide appropriate exceptions where applying an energy-conservation requirement would be impractical.
    “The power to adopt, administer, and enforce the state building code shall be exercised in accordance with chapter 103A. The power to adopt by ordinance, administer, and enforce a county building code, is subject to the following restrictions: a. A county building code shall not apply within the incorporated area of a city except at the option of the city, and shall not apply within a city’s two-mile limit referred to in section 414.23, to the extent that the city has adopted a building code within the two-mile limit. b. A county building code shall not apply to farm houses or other farm buildings which are primarily adapted for use for agricultural purposes, while so used or under construction for that use.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Des Moines County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Des Moines County, Iowa.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in unincorporated Des Moines County.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Des Moines County, Iowa

Is Des Moines County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Des Moines County scores 69/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and workable self-sufficiency basics (38.2″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Des Moines County, Iowa?

Des Moines County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Des Moines County Public Health - Environmental Health. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Des Moines County, Iowa?

Land in Des Moines County runs about $7,802 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Des Moines County?

Des Moines County gets about 38.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.7% of years.

How remote is Des Moines County?

A representative private-land location has about 52,198 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,537,866 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Des Moines compares in Iowa

Compare side-by-side →See all 99 Iowa counties ranked →