Bolthole Index

Johnson County, Iowa

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Johnson County, Iowa

52Index Score / 100
#59 of 99 in Iowa

Unincorporated Johnson County, Iowa requires building permits for homes and most construction, with limited exemptions for small accessory structures and qualifying decks1. Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) handles county building permits and zoning outside city limits23. Johnson County Public Health handles septic and qualifying private-well permits, and sewage approval must precede the county building permit456.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in unincorporated areas; limited exemptions for small accessory structures and qualifying decks1
Zoning
Yes, outside cities; permitted uses and dimensional rules vary by district78
Septic
Public Health approval is required before PDS can issue a building permit910
Owner-builder
Working on your own property exempts you from IA contractor registration, not from permits or inspections11
Private well
Construction permits cover new and replacement private wells and modifications to a well’s physical dimensions12
Accessory dwelling unit
County must allow at least one ADU per single-family lot, up to 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the house13
Septic at resale
Time-of-transfer inspection required before an ownership transfer; valid 2 years14

Who to call

Building permits

Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) - Building Services

Building permits and inspections for unincorporated Johnson County (fax 319-356-6084)

319-356-6085

Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240-4281

Zoning

Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) - Planning and Development

Zoning administration and the Unified Development Ordinance for unincorporated Johnson County

319-356-6083

Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240-4281

Septic permits

Johnson County Public Health

Septic (private sewage) and private well permits for unincorporated Johnson County

319-356-6040

855 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Johnson County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Johnson County, Iowa?

Johnson County requires building permits for new buildings, additions, residential work, renovations, building systems and demolition in county-administered areas1. A detached one-story tool shed, storage shed, playhouse or similar accessory structure of 200 square feet or less may be exempt; a deck is exempt only if it is no larger than 200 square feet, no more than 30 inches above grade, unattached to a dwelling and does not serve the main exit door1. Discuss the project with Building Services before construction, and do not start permitted work until the building permit is issued1516. The current FAQ lists the 2024 residential, building, mechanical and plumbing codes, the 2023 electrical code and the 2012 energy code17. West Branch, mainly in Cedar County but reaching into Johnson County, handles its own building permits; its private sewage rules refer to Cedar County Board of Health standards1819.

Who is the Johnson County building department, and how do you reach them?

Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) is Johnson County's building department; Building Services issues building permits and schedules inspections for unincorporated Johnson County2. Reach Building Services at 319-356-6085 at the Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240-42812. Inspections include footings before concrete, accessible underground plumbing before a slab is poured, the electrical service panel before hookup and a final inspection when the structure is ready for occupancy20. Johnson County publishes building-permit fees, including $50 per hour for reinspection and no charge for a certificate of occupancy21. PDS Planning and Development handles zoning at 319-356-608322. Johnson County Public Health separately handles septic and qualifying private-well permits at 319-356-604023624. A Johnson County change-of-occupancy permit requires inspection even when no construction is planned; an approved inspection leads to a new certificate of occupancy25.

Does Johnson County have zoning?

Yes. Johnson County has zoning responsibility outside its cities, including unincorporated villages and fringe areas around incorporated cities; municipal rules apply inside city limits267. West Branch, a city mainly in Cedar County that reaches into Johnson County, sets its own zoning; private sewage systems there follow Cedar County Board of Health standards2719. The Unified Development Ordinance publishes 27 districts, and permitted uses, setbacks, building heights and other dimensional rules vary by district26282930. Iowa law generally exempts agricultural land and qualifying farm structures from county zoning while used for agricultural purposes, although floodplain conditions remain relevant31. Iowa requires the county to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on a lot with a single-family home in a district where that principal use is allowed, subject to a limit of 1,000 square feet or 50% of the main house, whichever is larger13. Ask PDS to identify the parcel's district and applicable use, setback and height rules before designing or buying22.

How do septic permits work in Johnson County?

Johnson County Public Health administers private sewage disposal and wastewater permits4. New development needs sewage approval, the parcel must be tested for treatment suitability, and PDS cannot issue the building permit until Public Health approves the system; approval can take up to 2 weeks5. Where public sewer is available or connection is required locally, a private sewage system may not be installed, repaired or rehabilitated; when public sewer becomes available within 200 feet, connection is required on the administrative authority's timetable32. Where public sewer is unavailable, an occupied building needs an approved private sewage system, so off-grid sanitation still requires approval and a construction permit33. Only 0.4% of Johnson County soils are rated “not limited” for a conventional drain field; that calls for site evaluation and possibly an engineered system, rather than ruling out septic34. A certified septic inspection is generally required before an ownership transfer and remains valid for 2 years, subject to listed exceptions and deferrals35.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Johnson County?

We could not confirm a current Johnson County rule allowing long-term RV living or temporary camping on private land in the unincorporated area, so ask PDS about the parcel's zoning district before moving a camper onto it22. We also could not confirm a countywide tiny-home occupancy rule or a numeric minimum dwelling size; setbacks, height limits and other dimensional standards depend on the zoning district293036. Iowa does allow manufactured homes, but they must meet the same permanent-foundation, setback and minimum-size standards as a site-built home on the same lot37. Iowa’s own-property contractor-registration exemption does not waive building permits or inspections for an owner-built home11. None of those rules turns an RV into an approved dwelling; confirm the proposed structure and use with PDS22.

Building a home in Johnson County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask PDS Planning and Development to confirm the parcel's zoning district, permitted use, setbacks and height rules28293022.
  2. If dividing land, discuss subdivision review early; plats require an Iowa-licensed surveyor, and some projects need a parallel Secondary Roads filing38.
  3. Ask Public Health whether public sewer must be used or the site can support septic; only 0.4% of county soils are rated “not limited” for a conventional drain field323424.
  4. Obtain sewage approval before the building permit; ask Public Health for a private-well construction permit for a new or replacement well or a change to a well’s physical dimensions51224.
  5. Submit plans to Building Services; ordinary applications may take 5 to 10 working days, excluding projects needing a variance, rezoning or boundary-line adjustment392.
  6. Begin work within 180 days of issuance and avoid suspending or abandoning work for more than 180 days; request any justified extension in writing39. Keep required work visible and accessible for county inspections, including the final inspection when the structure is ready for occupancy20.
  7. For access to an Iowa primary highway, obtain Iowa DOT approval before work begins40.

What to check before you buy land in Johnson County

Johnson County's center is about 17 miles in a straight line from the nearest city of 100,000 or more, and the county has about 257 people per square mile4142. About 88.7% of the land is at a slope of 15% or less, while 16.4% is wooded4344. Septic suitability is the sharper constraint: just 0.4% of soils are rated “not limited” for a conventional drain field, so site evaluation is necessary and an engineered system may be needed34. Before closing, confirm zoning, subdivision status, legal access, public-sewer availability, septic feasibility, well permitting and any required transfer inspection with PDS and Public Health38326352224. Typical home value is about $313,517, the effective property-tax rate is about 1.6%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $4,587454647. A private-well construction permit does not authorize water withdrawal; withdrawals exceeding 25,000 gallons per day may need separate authorization12.

Watch-outs

  • Only 0.4% of Johnson County soils are rated “not limited” for conventional septic drain fields; plan for a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system, not an assumption that septic is impossible34.
  • Where public sewer is available or locally required, a private septic system may not be installed, repaired or rehabilitated; ask Public Health which option applies before planning utilities3224.
  • We could not confirm a current rule allowing long-term RV living on private rural land; ask PDS before assuming it is allowed22.

Sources

  1. Building Permits FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) - Building Services (johnsoncountyiowa.gov)
  3. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) - Planning, Development & Sustainability - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  4. Sewage Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  5. Sewage Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  6. Private Well Construction Permits (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Johnson County Unified Development Ordinance, official version, 2025 recodification, quoted and re-checked
  8. Johnson County Unified Development Ordinance, Official Version, quoted and re-checked
  9. Wastewater, Septic, & Time of Transfer - Johnson County Public Health, quoted and re-checked
  10. Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 69 - Private Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  11. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 49 - Nonpublic Water Wells—Permits and Construction, quoted and re-checked
  13. legis.iowa.gov (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Iowa Code §455B.172, Jurisdiction of department and local boards (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Building Permits FAQ - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  16. Building Inspection Procedures - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  17. Building Permits FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  18. West Branch: Attention West Branch Residents (Johnson County), quoted and re-checked
  19. West Branch: 165.06 Water and Sewage Requirements (Johnson County), quoted and re-checked
  20. Building Inspection Procedures - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  21. Building Permit Fee Schedule - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  22. Planning, Development and Sustainability (PDS) - Planning and Development (johnsoncountyiowa.gov)
  23. Building Permits FAQ - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  24. Johnson County Public Health (johnsoncountyiowa.gov)
  25. Change of Occupancy Permits - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  26. Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), quoted and re-checked
  27. West Branch: Chapter 165 Zoning Regulations (Johnson County), quoted and re-checked
  28. Johnson County Code of Ordinances / Unified Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  29. Johnson County Code of Ordinances / Unified Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  30. Johnson County Code of Ordinances / Unified Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  31. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 335 — County Zoning (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  32. Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 69 - Private Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  33. Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 69 - Private Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  34. 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
  35. Wastewater, Septic, & Time of Transfer - Johnson County Public Health, quoted and re-checked
  36. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 335 — County Zoning (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  37. Iowa Code §335.30, Manufactured and modular homes (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  38. Planning, Development and Sustainability - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  39. Building Permits FAQ - Johnson County, quoted and re-checked
  40. Access Management (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  41. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  42. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  43. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  44. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  45. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  46. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  47. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 12, 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

Like 4 of its 6 neighbors, Johnson County has countywide zoning.

RuleJohnson CountyIowa CountyCedar CountyLinn CountyMuscatine CountyWashington CountyBenton County
Building permitRequiredLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredNot required
County zoningYesNoYesYesYesNoYes
Septic permitsCounty Public Health Dept.IA County Env. Health Dept.County Env. HealthCounty Public Health Dept.County Env. OfficeCounty Env. Health Dept.County Dept. of Env. Health

County locator

Johnson County in Iowa

52
County map
Johnson County highlighted among the Iowa counties · colored by Index score

How Johnson County scores

Seclusion30100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency51100% ev.
Admin Boringness48100% ev.
Durability54100% ev.
Property Autonomy51100% ev.
Carry Cost54100% 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 →

$314kTypical home
1.6%Property tax
$10,307Land / acre
37.4"Annual rain
11.2% of yrsSevere drought
6 / yr (+5.5)Mid-century 100°F days
15.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.93" (+8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.8×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,526Home insurance / yr
2.7% / yrInsurance growth
0.87%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
136,810People within 30 min
2,372,660People within 2 hr
142,989Radius comparison (15 mi)
257People / sq mi
8%Federal land
88.7%Land at 15% slope or less
0.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
1,338 acWorkable land screen
16.4%Wooded land
34.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
49.3°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Johnson 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: Hills · Lone Tree · Oxford · Shueyville · Swisher · Tiffin · University Heights

Answers from the rulebook for Johnson County

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

Johnson County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New buildings, additions, residential work, renovations, building systems, and demolition in county-administered areas.

    • A detached one-story accessory structure of 200 square feet or less may be exempt if used as a tool shed, storage shed, playhouse, or similar use.
    • Decks not exceeding 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade, unattached to a dwelling, and not serving the main exit door are exempt.
    • Window replacement may be exempt when headers are not moved, altered, or replaced, subject to the stated emergency-escape conditions.
    • Permits must begin work within 180 days of issuance; work may not be suspended or abandoned for more than 180 days, subject to written extensions and additional renewal fees.

    detached accessory structure exemption area: <= 200 square feet (one-story accessory structure used as a tool shed, storage shed, playhouse, or similar use) · deck exemption area: <= 200 square feet (also must be no more than 30 inches above grade, unattached to a dwelling, and not serve the main exit door) · permit commencement deadline: 180 days (extensions may be granted for 180-day periods)

    “Permits are usually required for the following:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction projects subject to Johnson County building permitting in unincorporated areas.
      “Construction of a deck will require a building permit, even if replacing an existing deck of the exact same size.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building-code enforcement identified by Johnson County's current Building Permits FAQ.

    • The FAQ lists multiple currently enforced codes with different editions.
    • The National Electrical Code, International Mechanical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, and International Energy Conservation Code are identified as adopted by the State of Iowa.
    • The FAQ lists the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, while it lists 2024 editions for the International Residential and International Building Codes and 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code.

    International Residential Code: 2024 edition · International Building Code: 2024 edition · National Electrical Code: 2023 edition (as adopted by the State of Iowa) · International Mechanical Code: 2024 edition (as adopted by the State of Iowa) · Uniform Plumbing Code: 2024 edition (as adopted by the State of Iowa) · International Energy Conservation Code: 2012 edition (as adopted by the State of Iowa)

    “What construction codes are currently enforced? 2024 International Residential Code 2024 International Building Code 2023 National Electrical Code as adopted by the State of Iowa 2024 International Mechanical Code as adopted by the State of Iowa 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the State of Iowa 2012 International Energy Conservation Code as adopted by the State of Iowa”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building-permit projects subject to Johnson County inspection procedures.

    • A contractor or representative must be on site.
    • The permit number or address must be provided when requesting an inspection.
    • Work areas and items must be visible and accessible.
    • Footings and foundation walls are inspected before concrete is poured.
    • Underground plumbing and piping must be accessible before the slab is poured.
    • The electric service panel is inspected before electrical hookup.
    • Gas lines require a 30 psi test maintaining at least 10 psi for 15 minutes.
    • The structure must be ready for occupancy at final inspection.
    • Additional inspection may be required.
    • Re-inspection fees may apply and an early start fee is assessed when construction materials are permanently placed.

    gas pressure test gauge: 30 psi · minimum gas pressure maintained: >= 10 psi (for 15 minutes)

    “Footings shall be inspected prior to pouring concrete.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Change-of-occupancy permits in Johnson County.

    • Inspections are required even if no actual work is to be done.
    • The inspection must be arranged 24 hours in advance.
    • A new certificate is provided after the job is inspected and approved.
    “Once the job has been inspected and approved by the building inspector, a new “Certificate of Occupancy” will be provided to you, for your records.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Johnson County zoning regulations in unincorporated areas.

    • The UDO expressly applies to the unincorporated areas of Johnson County.
    • Agricultural operations and qualifying agricultural structures are exempt under the conditions in section 8:1.3.
    “For the Unincorporated Areas of Johnson County 8:1 Zoning Regulations”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    County aggregate: the County UDO regulates unincorporated areas, while incorporated municipalities may administer their own local zoning.

    • The cited County UDO is expressly for unincorporated areas; this claim does not attribute municipal ordinances to Johnson County.
    • Agricultural exemptions apply under section 8:1.3.
    “The County has zoning responsibility in all areas except within the cities.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Land-use zoning in unincorporated Johnson County, including unincorporated villages and fringe areas around incorporated cities.
      “The unincorporated area of Johnson County is broadly divided into 3 general land use areas: agricultural/rural areas, preservation areas, and growth areas including residential, commercial, and industrial growth. Growth areas also include the 9 unincorporated villages and many fringe areas located around the incorporated cities. The County has zoning responsibility in all areas except within the cities.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Johnson County's published unincorporated-area zoning districts and district maps.

    • District boundaries are shown on district maps that are part of the UDO.
    • The UDO states that the originals of the maps are on file with the County Auditor.
    • District-specific use, height, yard, density, and area regulations apply.
    “The boundaries of the districts are shown upon maps which are made a part of this Chapter and which maps are designated as the “District Maps.””
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Published zoning districts and boundaries in the Johnson County UDO for unincorporated areas.
      “There are 27 individual zoning districts, which can be generally grouped into Ag, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Preservation, and other specialized, public, or institutional uses:”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Yard and setback regulations in the unincorporated Johnson County zoning districts.

    • Requirements are district-specific.
    • The UDO district maps and regulations control the applicable parcel.
    “the unincorporated area of Johnson County, Iowa is hereby divided into districts, which each limit the allowed uses, building height and bulk, and specify yard, density, and area regulations.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Building-height standards in unincorporated Johnson County zoning districts.

    • Requirements are district-specific.
    • A special exception or variance may be needed for a reduction in setbacks or extension in allowed height.
    “the unincorporated area of Johnson County, Iowa is hereby divided into districts, which each limit the allowed uses, building height and bulk, and specify yard, density, and area regulations.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Private sewage disposal and wastewater permits administered for Johnson County properties.

    • Johnson County Public Health is the administering county department.
    • Applications are submitted through the Health Department.
    “The Johnson County Public Health Department requires that any new development be issued a sewage (wastewater) permit.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • County — Onsite wastewater and time-of-transfer administration by Johnson County Public Health.
      “Where do I get a septic and well permit for my property? Contact the Johnson County Public Health Department: 855 S Dubuque Street Iowa City, IA 52240, phone 319-356-6040.”
    • County (with conditions) — County Public Health administration of septic and wastewater permitting and transfer-inspection information.
      “Please contact Johnson County Public Health if you have any additional questions at 319-356-6040.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New development requiring a sewage or wastewater system in Johnson County.

    • A building permit cannot be issued until Health Department approval for the sewage disposal system is received.
    • The Health Department tests parcel suitability for waste treatment.
    • Permit approval can take up to two weeks.

    approval timeline: up to two weeks

    “The Johnson County Public Health Department requires that any new development be issued a sewage (wastewater) permit. A building permit cannot be issued until approval for a sewage disposal system is received from the Health Department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation or alteration of private sewage disposal systems in Johnson County.
      “No private sewage disposal system shall be installed or altered as described in paragraph 69.1(3)“c” unless a construction permit issued by the administrative authority has been obtained.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems serving a building before ownership transfer.

    • Inspection must be by a certified inspector.
    • Weather or temporary physical conditions may allow a binding deferral agreement.
    • The rule contains specified transaction exemptions, including certain court-ordered transfers, fiduciary transfers, family transfers, demolitions, systems installed not more than two years before transfer, tax-sale deeds, and transfers for consideration of $500 or less.

    inspection validity: 2 years (For ownership transfers during that period)

    “Prior to any transfer of ownership of a building where a person resides, congregates, or is employed that is served by a private sewage disposal system, the sewage disposal system serving the building shall be inspected.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and lot-combination applications handled by Johnson County Planning, Development and Sustainability.

    • A stand-alone preliminary plat is required where development proposes development-wide infrastructure, including private roads, stormwater facilities, wells shared between more than two lots, or septic systems shared between more than two lots.
    • Plats must be prepared by a licensed Iowa land surveyor.
    • Sensitive Areas and Stormwater Management regulations must be addressed through an approved waiver or full report.
    • A parallel application must be filed with the Johnson County Secondary Roads Department when required.
    “Used to divide or combine lots. A stand-alone preliminary plat is required where a development proposes any development-wide infrastructure (e.g. private roads, stormwater management facilities, wells shared between more than 2 lots, or septic systems shared between more than 2 lots). Plats must be prepared by a licensed land surveyor in the State of Iowa.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Johnson County building-permit and related inspection fees.

    • Inspection outside normal business hours is $100 per hour.
    • Re-inspection is $50 per hour.
    • Special inspection without a permit is $50 per hour.
    • Renewal of an expired permit is $50.
    • Change of occupancy permit is $50.
    • Retroactive permitting is equal to the permit fee.
    • Temporary certificate of occupancy is $50.
    • Certificate of occupancy has no charge.
    • Mobile home placement in manufactured-home communities is $100.

    inspection outside normal business hours: 100 USD/hour · re-inspection: 50 USD/hour · special inspection without permit: 50 USD/hour · certificate of occupancy: 0 USD (No Charge)

    “Inspection outside of normal business hours: $100 per hour”
  • Permit processPartial

    County planning and building-permit process information.

    • The county directs applicants to contact the local building department or code official before construction.
    • Planning applications may require parallel filings, licensed surveyors, reports, waivers, or legal agreements depending on the project.
    “The best way to find out if you need a permit is to call your local building department. Discuss your plans with the code official before you begin construction to determine whether you need a permit.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — Johnson County building-permit application and inspection process.
      “Every permit shall begin work within 180 days of its issuance.”
    • Published — Johnson County permit application process.
      “A permit application may take between 5 to 10 working days to process. Please keep in mind that the more complete the information and drawings are at the time it is submitted, the more likely it is that we can speed up the review process. This time frame does not apply to a permit that will require a variance, rezoning, or a boundary line adjustment.”

Iowa rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (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.

    • The exemption is from being treated as a contractor for purposes of chapter 91C; it is not stated to waive building permits, building-code compliance, inspections, or certificates of occupancy.
    • The separate annual-earnings threshold is less than $2,000, but the own-property exemption is stated independently.
    • A contractor doing business in Iowa must register under chapter 91C unless an applicable statutory exclusion applies.
    “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.”
  • 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.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum-lot-size requirements administered through county zoning districts in Iowa, where county zoning has been adopted.

    • County zoning is optional under §335.1.
    • Local zoning districts may have different regulations.
    • A variance may be available only under the statutory practical-difficulties requirements.
    “Area, dimensional, or other numerical limitations subject to variances include but are not limited to requirements for minimum lot size, setbacks, yard widths, height, bulk, sidewalks, fencing, signage, and off-street parking. To receive the requested area, dimensional, or other numerical variance, the property owner must prove that the practical difficulties faced are unique to the property at issue and not self-created and must also demonstrate that granting the variance will not significantly alter the essential character of the surrounding neighborhood.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lot-coverage limits administered through Iowa county zoning districts, where adopted.

    • County zoning powers apply only outside city corporate limits.
    • The statute authorizes regulation of the percentage of a lot occupied but does not state a statewide percentage.
    • Agricultural-use and floodplain exceptions in §335.2 apply.
    “the percentage of lot that may be occupied”
  • 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:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal and alternative sanitation systems where a POTW is unavailable.

    • Every building where persons reside, congregate, or are employed must have an approved private sewage disposal system when a POTW is unavailable.
    • Installation or alteration requires a construction permit.
    • Discharge to ditches, waterways, drain tiles, groundwater, or the surface is prohibited except as permitted by chapter 69.
    • The chapter definition includes septic tanks, holding tanks, chemical toilets, impervious vault toilets, and portable toilets; inclusion in the definition does not itself establish approval for a particular site.
    “When a POTW is not available, every building wherein persons reside, congregate, or are employed shall be provided with an approved private sewage disposal system.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Connection of buildings to publicly owned treatment works where available.

    • A private sewage disposal system may not be installed, repaired, or rehabilitated where a POTW is available or a local ordinance requires connection.
    • A POTW may be considered unavailable when it, or a connected building or exterior drainage facility, is more than 200 feet from the proposed building or exterior drainage facility.
    • When a POTW becomes available within 200 feet, connection is required within the time and conditions set by the administrative authority.
    • When a POTW is unavailable, every building where persons reside, congregate, or are employed must have an approved private sewage disposal system.

    POTW distance threshold: > 200 feet (Administrative authority makes the final availability determination)

    “When a POTW becomes available within 200 feet, any building then served by a private sewage disposal system shall be connected to said POTW within a time frame or under conditions set by the administrative authority.”
  • 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.

  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated Johnson County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Johnson County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated Johnson County.
  • Driveway access — Driveway or road-access requirements for development in unincorporated Johnson County.
  • Building in a floodplain — Floodplain development in unincorporated Johnson County.
1 more unanswered
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Water rights & wells in Johnson County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Iowa’s water agency.

Managed area

Groundwater is actively managed here, but a small household well is generally still available.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Regulated-riparian permit system (Iowa Code 455B); household wells below 25,000 gpd are exempt. EXCEPTION: within designated Jordan-aquifer 'protected water source' areas (IAC 567-53.7) a new private well drilled into/through the Jordan aquifer needs Iowa DNR approval.

Limit: water-use permit only above 25,000 gpd; Jordan-aquifer protected areas need DNR approval

Iowa Admin. Code 567 ch. 50-53 / Iowa Code 455B ↗
  • Cambrian-Ordovician (Jordan) Aquifer Protected Water Sourceslocalized of county

    Under IAC 567-53.7, within the Jordan-aquifer protected areas (parts of Johnson/Linn; a separate one in Webster) the county cannot permit a private well drilled into or through the Jordan aquifer without Iowa DNR approval, which may require public-supply well standards or deny new Jordan wells to preserve head. Unlike most of the state, domestic wells reaching the Jordan here are NOT automatically exempt.

    Iowa Admin. Code 567-53.7 — Protected Water Sources ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Iowa state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Johnson County, Iowa

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

Johnson County scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Watch-outs: about 136,810 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Johnson County, Iowa?

Johnson County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Johnson County Public Health Department. 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 Johnson County, Iowa?

Land in Johnson County runs about $10,307 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Johnson County?

Johnson County gets about 37.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.2% of years. On water rights, Johnson County lies in the Cambrian-Ordovician (Jordan) Aquifer Protected Water Sources — Under IAC 567-53.7, within the Jordan-aquifer protected areas (parts of Johnson/Linn; a separate one in Webster) the county cannot permit a private well drilled into or through the Jordan aquifer without Iowa DNR approval, which may require public-supply well standards or deny new Jordan wells to preserve head. Unlike most of the state, domestic wells reaching the Jordan here are NOT automatically exempt..

How remote is Johnson County?

A representative private-land location has about 136,810 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,372,660 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 Johnson compares in Iowa

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