Bolthole Index

Keokuk County, Iowa

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Keokuk County, Iowa

67Index Score / 100
#16 of 99 in Iowa

Unincorporated Keokuk County, Iowa appears not to require a county residential building permit, although no explicit county requirement or exemption was located.1 County zoning status is also unconfirmed, so ask the Board of Supervisors about land-use controls for the parcel before designing a home.2 Inside Keota, the city requires building permits for new construction, additions and alterations3; septic and well permits for any address in the county come from Keokuk County Environmental Health.4

At a glance

Building permit
Appears not required for an unincorporated home; confirm before building1
Zoning
Countywide status not confirmed; ask the Board of Supervisors2
Inside Keota
City building permit required for new construction, additions and alterations3
Septic
Keokuk County Environmental Health issues permits and enforces standards4
Private well
Permit required for a new, replacement or physically modified regulated well5
Owner-builder
Own-property work is exempt from state contractor registration, not other rules6
RV or tiny home
Residential occupancy rules not confirmed; ask the Board of Supervisors and Environmental Health2
County-road driveway
Permit and fee required before work starts7

Who to call

Septic permits

Keokuk County Environmental Health

Private-well and sewage-disposal standards, permits and sampling in Keokuk County

641-622-3575

sanitarian@mahaskacountyia.gov

1303 200th Ave, Sigourney, IA 52591

Zoning

Keokuk County Board of Supervisors

Roads, land-use planning and zoning oversight

641-622-2902

101 S. Main, Sigourney, IA 52591

Roads & driveways

Keokuk County Engineer

Keokuk County secondary roads and county-road entrance questions

641-622-2610

amcguire@keokukcounty.iowa.gov

1301 East Jackson Street, Sigourney, IA 52591

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

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Keokuk 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 Keokuk County, Iowa?

Unincorporated Keokuk County appears not to require a county residential building permit, but treat that as a starting point rather than a final clearance because no explicit county permit requirement or exemption was located.1 Iowa does not impose one universal building-permit requirement on every private building; local law controls ordinary permit administration, while the state code reaches specified state, state-funded, locally adopted and factory-built construction.8

Before ordering plans, give the Keokuk County Board of Supervisors the parcel number and proposed use and ask whether any county land-use approval applies; the county identifies that board as overseeing land-use planning and zoning.9 Also check with the city if the parcel lies inside city limits, because Iowa county zoning authority concerns land outside city corporate limits.10

Inside the City of Keota the answer is different: Keota requires building permits for any new construction, additions or alterations, and that rule applies within Keota city limits, not to unincorporated Keokuk County.3 Septic and well permits still come from Keokuk County Environmental Health, city or not.11

Who handles Keokuk County permits, and how do you reach them?

Keokuk County does not identify a general building department in the available county information, so the right contact depends on the work.1 For zoning and land-use questions, call the Keokuk County Board of Supervisors at 641-622-2902; the county says the board oversees roads, land-use planning and zoning.9 For septic systems and private wells, call Keokuk County Environmental Health at 641-622-3575; the office enforces construction standards for both and issues permits.11

For a driveway or field entrance onto a county secondary road, call the Keokuk County Engineer at 641-622-2610.12 A new or widened entrance needs a permit form and fee, and work cannot begin before approval.7 Access to an Iowa primary highway instead goes through the Iowa Department of Transportation district process, with approval required before work begins.13

Does Keokuk County have zoning?

We could not confirm whether Keokuk County currently has countywide zoning or find a published county zoning map or district schedule.2 The county says its Board of Supervisors oversees land-use planning and zoning, making that office the best first call for parcel-specific questions about use, setbacks, dwelling size, lot size and building height.9

Iowa law allows a county board to adopt zoning for land outside city limits, but adoption is optional and regulations can differ by district.10 Qualifying agricultural land and structures are generally outside county zoning controls while primarily used for agricultural purposes, subject to the statute's floodplain exception.10 A city parcel needs a separate city check because county zoning authority under this law applies outside city corporate limits.10 Do not assume a rural mailing address proves that a parcel is unincorporated.

How do septic and well permits work in Keokuk County?

Keokuk County Environmental Health enforces county standards for private wells and sewage disposal and issues permits.4 Iowa law also requires county boards of health to regulate private water supplies and private sewage systems under standards consistent with state rules.14 Contact Environmental Health before choosing a house site, because countywide soil data rates 0% of mapped soils as free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field; that makes a site evaluation especially important and may point toward an alternative design.15

A permit is required before constructing a new private well at least 20 feet deep, replacing one or physically changing its dimensions, subject to listed exemptions.5 The standard state application fee is $125 unless Keokuk County is actively exercising delegated authority and sets a different fee.16 Qualifying property transfers involving private sewage systems also require a certified inspection before transfer, subject to statutory exceptions.17

If a public sewer is available, it comes first: Iowa rules bar installing a private system where a publicly owned treatment works is available, and a building on a private system must connect within the time frame the administrative authority sets once a sewer comes within 200 feet.18 Where no public sewer exists, every building that generates domestic sewage needs an approved private system, and a holding tank is allowed only when all other options are impractical.19

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

We could not confirm a Keokuk County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV living, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land.2 Ask the Board of Supervisors about land use, duration, setbacks and the parcel's jurisdiction, then ask Environmental Health what wastewater arrangement is acceptable before occupying the site.911

A manufactured home is not automatically the same as an RV or a tiny home. Iowa counties may not reject a residential structure solely because it is a manufactured home, but they may apply the same permanent-foundation, setback and minimum-area standards used for a site-built single-family home on the same lot.20 Iowa also requires a county to allow an accessory dwelling unit where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use, subject to building rules, size limits and other listed conditions.21 That accessory-dwelling rule does not by itself settle RV occupancy.

Building a home in Keokuk County: what are the steps?

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is inside a city or in unincorporated Keokuk County, because county zoning authority applies outside city limits.10
  2. Ask the Board of Supervisors whether zoning, floodplain review, setbacks or another land-use approval applies to the specific parcel; the board oversees land-use planning and zoning.9
  3. Ask Environmental Health to review the proposed well and septic locations before fixing the house site; that office enforces standards and issues permits.11
  4. Obtain the required private-well permit before regulated construction or replacement and use a certified well contractor.522
  5. If access connects to a county secondary road, obtain the entrance permit and approval before starting work.7
  6. Confirm whether the particular project falls under state or locally adopted building-code provisions even though no explicit general county residential permit requirement was located.123

What should you check before buying land in Keokuk County?

Start with wastewater feasibility: countywide mapping shows 0% of soils without severe conventional drain-field limits, so make the offer dependent on an acceptable site evaluation rather than assuming a standard trench system will work.15 Confirm private-well permitting and cost with Environmental Health, because regulated new and replacement wells require approval and the state fee can change under county delegation.516

Verify legal access before closing. A new or widened entrance onto a county secondary road needs a permit, a fee and approval before work starts, while primary-highway access uses the state process.713 Ask the Board of Supervisors about zoning and floodplain controls because current countywide zoning status and a county floodplain-development process could not be confirmed.2 Finally, budget around an effective property-tax rate of about 1.3% and a median annual property-tax bill of about $1,491.2425

Watch-outs

  • No explicit county residential building-permit requirement or exemption was located, so obtain parcel-specific confirmation before construction.1
  • Countywide zoning, RV occupancy, tiny-home rules, setbacks and minimum dwelling size remain unconfirmed; ask the Board of Supervisors before purchase.29
  • Mapped soils countywide show severe limitations for conventional septic drain fields, so do not close without confirming a workable wastewater plan.15
  • A county-road entrance permit must be approved before driveway work starts.7

Sources

  1. Keokuk County, Iowa (official site) (2026 county census)
  2. (2026 county census)
  3. Keota City Government- Codes, quoted and re-checked
  4. Environmental | Keokuk County, quoted and re-checked
  5. Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 49 - Private Well Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  6. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Frequently Asked Questions - Engineer - Keokuk County, Iowa, quoted and re-checked
  8. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 103A — State Building Code (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Keokuk County Board of Supervisors (keokukcounty.iowa.gov)
  10. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 335 — County Zoning (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Keokuk County Environmental Health (keokukcounty.iowa.gov)
  12. Keokuk County Engineer (keokukcounty.iowa.gov)
  13. Access Management (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. 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
  16. Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 49 - Private Well Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  17. Iowa Code §455B.172, Jurisdiction of department and local boards (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Iowa Administrative Code Rule 567—69.1 — General PSDS Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  19. Iowa Administrative Code Rule 567—69.1 — General PSDS Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  20. Iowa Code §335.30, Manufactured and modular homes (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. legis.iowa.gov (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 49 - Private Well Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  23. Building Code Plan Review (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. 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 4 of its 6 neighbors, Keokuk County requires no county building permit for a home.

RuleKeokuk CountyMahaska CountyJefferson CountyWashington CountyWapello CountyIowa CountyPoweshiek County
Building permitNot requiredLimitedNot requiredNot requiredRequiredLimitedRequired
County zoningNot publishedYesNoNoYesNoYes
Septic permitsCounty Public HealthCounty Env. ServicesCounty Env. HealthCounty Env. Health Dept.County Planning & ZoningIA County Env. Health Dept.County Sanitarian

County locator

Keokuk County in Iowa

67
County map
Keokuk County highlighted among the Iowa counties · colored by Index score

How Keokuk County scores

Seclusion66100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency49100% ev.
Admin Boringness7277% ev.
Durability46100% ev.
Property Autonomy51100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$153kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$7,382Land / acre
37.4"Annual rain
13.3% of yrsSevere drought
7.5 / yr (+6.5)Mid-century 100°F days
16 daysMid-century dry spell
1.87" (+11.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.85×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,553Home insurance / yr
2% / yrInsurance growth
1.4%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
8,469People within 30 min
1,467,004People within 2 hr
11,699Radius comparison (15 mi)
17.1People / sq mi
0.4%Federal land
92.7%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
85 acWorkable land screen
12.2%Wooded land
53.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
49.8°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Keokuk 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.

Delta · Gibson · Harper · Hayesville · Hedrick · Keota · Keswick · Kinross · Martinsburg · Ollie · Richland · Sigourney · South English · Thornburg · Webster · What Cheer

Answers from the rulebook for Keokuk County

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

Keokuk County rules

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Private wells and sewage disposal in Keokuk County.

    • The county Environmental Health Specialist enforces county standards and issues permits.
    • Iowa DNR rules define the statewide administrative framework.
    “Enforces standards for the construction of private wells and sewage disposal [...] Issues permits and collects samples”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or widened driveways and field entrances connecting to Keokuk County secondary roads.

    • A permit form and permit fee are required.
    • Work may not begin until the permit has been reviewed and approved.
    • Right-of-way varies by road.
    • Landowners may not place obstructions within a county right-of-way under Iowa Code chapter 318 sections 4 and 5.
    “There is a permit form that needs to be completed along with a permit fee. Work shall not start on an entrance or modification of an entrance until a permit has been reviewed and approved.”

Iowa rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Construction subject to Iowa's State Building Code, including state-owned buildings, buildings in governmental subdivisions that adopt the code, certain cities over 15,000 population without a substantially conforming local code, factory-built structures, and construction covered by statewide energy-conservation provisions.

    • Iowa Code section 103A.10 makes the state building code applicable to all state-owned buildings and structures.
    • The code applies in a governmental subdivision where the governing body has enacted an ordinance accepting the code.
    • The code applies in each city with a population over 15,000 that has not adopted a substantially conforming local building code.
    • Factory-built-structure manufacture and installation provisions apply throughout Iowa.
    • Permit issuance and enforcement are administered under local law or ordinance; the state source does not establish one universal permit requirement for every building statewide.
    • A governmental subdivision may prohibit commencement of construction until a local building department issues a permit after compliance is shown.
    • The application must be signed by the owner or authorized agent and include the owner's address, a statement that the application seeks permission to construct under the code, and a statement that construction will comply with applicable energy-conservation requirements.
    “The examination and approval or disapproval of plans and specifications, the issuance and revocation of building permits, licenses, certificates, and similar documents, the inspection of buildings or structures, and the administration and enforcement of building regulations shall be the responsibility of the governmental subdivisions of the state and shall be administered and enforced in the manner prescribed by local law or ordinance. [...] Prohibit the commencement of construction until a permit has been issued by the local building department after a showing of compliance with the requirements of the applicable provisions of the state building code.”
  • 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.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    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.

    • In a governmental subdivision, the code generally applies only after the governing body enacts an ordinance accepting applicability and files a certified copy with the commissioner.
    • The local ordinance fixes the effective date, which must be no more than six months after adoption.
    • A governmental subdivision may withdraw after one year by ordinance, following the required public hearing and written notice; the withdrawal date must be at least 180 days after ordinance adoption, and previously issued permits are unaffected.
    • The state building code applies to state-owned buildings and structures and to newly constructed buildings and structures paid for in whole or in part with state-appropriated money but not wholly state-owned.
    • Cities with populations over 15,000 that lack a local building code substantially in accord with nationally recognized standards must enforce the state building code.
    • Factory-built-structure provisions apply throughout the state; an 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 statutory exceptions concerning professional engineering and architecture and manufactured homes.
    • The current administrative rule adopts the 2024 International Building Code by reference with amendments; detached one- and two-family dwellings, certain townhouses not more than three stories, and their accessory structures instead comply with the amended International Residential Code.

    adopted model building code: 2024 International Building Code (Adopted by reference with Iowa amendments.) · current administrative-rule effective date: 2025-09-10 (Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 481.301 source identifies ARC 9474C as effective September 10, 2025.) · local ordinance effective-date limit: <= 6 months after adoption · local withdrawal waiting period: >= 1 year after code became applicable (A governmental subdivision may withdraw only after this period has elapsed.) · withdrawal effective-date minimum: >= 180 days after ordinance adoption (Previously issued permits remain unaffected.)

    “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.”
  • 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.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Setback requirements administered through Iowa county zoning districts, where adopted.

    • County zoning powers apply only to land and structures outside the corporate limits of any city.
    • Local district regulations may differ by district.
    • Agricultural-use structures and floodplain activities are subject to the exceptions and conditions in §335.2.
    “Subject to section 335.2, the board of supervisors may by ordinance regulate and restrict the height, number of structures, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes, and may regulate, restrict, and prohibit the use for residential purposes of tents, trailers, and portable or potentially portable structures. However, such powers shall be exercised only with reference to land and structures located within the county but lying outside of the corporate limits of any city.”
  • 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:”
  • 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.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems serving buildings with one through four dwelling units, before qualifying ownership transfers statewide.

    • Inspection is required before transfer of ownership, including seller-financed real estate contracts.
    • The county recorder may not record the deed or conveyance document without a certified inspector report, unless weather or temporary physical conditions prevent inspection and the buyer executes a binding acknowledgment.
    • The requirement applies to sale, exchange, real estate contract, or other purchase of real estate and improvements.
    • Exceptions include specified court-ordered, foreclosure-related, fiduciary, family, demolition, recently installed system, partition, tax-sale, low-consideration, and qualifying family-entity transfers.
    • The septic tank must be opened and pumped at inspection, unless evidence shows it was properly pumped within three years before inspection by a licensed commercial septic tank cleaner.
    • A failing system must be renovated; a properly treating system without an unsanitary condition need not meet current construction standards.
    • Only a department-certified inspector may conduct the inspection.
    • An inspection is valid for two years for ownership transfers during that period.

    dwelling units: 1-4 · inspection validity: 2 years (for ownership transfers during that period) · prior septic pumping evidence: <= 3 years (must be by a department-licensed commercial septic tank cleaner) · civil penalty for fraudulent report: 5000 USD (and certification suspension for one year)

    “If a building where a person resides, congregates, or is employed is served by a private sewage disposal system, the sewage disposal system serving the building shall be inspected prior to any transfer of ownership of the building.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation for buildings generating domestic sewage in Keokuk County when a publicly owned treatment works is unavailable.

    • Every building where persons generate domestic sewage must have an approved PSDS when a POTW is unavailable.
    • A holding tank may be used only if all other PSDS options are impractical.
    • No wastewater may be discharged to a ditch, stream, pond, lake, natural or artificial waterway, county drain tile, surface-water drain tile, land drain tile, groundwater, or the surface of the ground except as permitted by the chapter.
    • Effluent may not be discharged under any conditions to an abandoned well, agricultural drainage well, or sinkhole.
    • Surface-water or subsurface-drainage-tile discharges require compliance with NPDES General Permit No. 4 and submission of a Notice of Intent before use.

    POTW unavailability distance: > 200 feet (The administrative authority makes the final determination of availability.)

    “A holding tank for waste may be used only if all other PSDS options are impractical.”
  • 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
    • Required — New, replacement, or physically modified private wells 20 feet or greater in depth in Keokuk County.
      “A landowner or landowner’s agent shall not construct a new private well without first obtaining a well construction permit from the department or a county authorized to issue permits pursuant to this chapter. [...] A private well construction permit is required for all replacement wells and for modification of the physical dimensions of a well.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Connection of buildings served by private sewage disposal systems to publicly owned treatment works in Keokuk County.

    • No PSDS may be installed, repaired, or rehabilitated where a POTW is available or where a local ordinance requires connection.
    • When a POTW becomes available within 200 feet, a building served by a PSDS must connect within the time frame and under the conditions set by the administrative authority.
    • When no POTW is available, every building generating domestic sewage must have an approved PSDS; a holding tank is allowed only when all other PSDS options are impractical.

    POTW availability distance: 200 feet (The administrative authority makes the final availability determination.)

    “When a POTW becomes available within 200 feet”
  • 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”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in Iowa by repeated or simultaneous division into three or more parcels, subject to statutory exceptions and local review.

    • A subdivision plat is required when a tract is subdivided by repeated divisions or simultaneous division into three or more parcels described by metes and bounds for which no plat of survey is recorded.
    • A subdivision plat is not required when land is divided by conveyance to a governmental agency for public improvements.
    • Local cities and counties may establish and enforce ordinances regulating division and use of land within the statutory framework.

    minimum parcels triggering subdivision plat: >= 3 parcels (A plat is not required for division by conveyance to a governmental agency for public improvements.)

    “A subdivision plat shall be made when a tract of land is subdivided by repeated divisions or simultaneous division into three or more parcels”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Private well construction permit applications applicable in Keokuk County unless county delegation changes the fee.

    • The standard Iowa DNR fee is $125 per application.
    • A county with delegated permitting authority may set a different fee and must submit $25 per application to the department.
    • More than one proposed well for the same use on one contiguous property of less than ten acres may be listed on one application for one fee.
    • Separate permits are required for separate unconnected domestic or commercial dwellings or geothermal systems.

    standard application fee: 125 USD (Unless permitting authority is delegated to a county.) · department remittance for delegated county: 25 USD per application (County may set a different applicant fee.)

    “Each application for a private well construction permit shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $125 payable to the department of natural resources unless a county is authorized to issue private well construction permits pursuant to rule 567—49.7(455B).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Fees imposed and collected by Iowa state agencies, including any state-agency permit fees listed on the Iowa Government Fees Website.
      “Fees Imposed & Collected by State Agencies”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Private well construction permits in Keokuk County.

    • Application uses Iowa DNR forms unless a county has active delegated authority and approved county forms.
    • Applications must identify all wells on contiguous property and provide legal land description or precise latitude and longitude.
    • A complete application and nonrefundable fee are required.
    • The permit expires one calendar year after issuance if construction has not started.
    • Construction must be by a certified well contractor.
    “A proper application shall consist of a fully completed form and nonrefundable fee. [...] Each well construction permit shall require that each well be constructed by a certified well contractor in compliance with this chapter and 567—Chapter 82.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Requests for access connections, driveways, or entrances to Iowa primary highways administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
      “In Iowa, the permitting process is administered by the Iowa DOT's district offices.”
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Keokuk County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, additions, and alterations to structures within the City of Keota.

    • This claim applies within Keota city limits, not countywide unincorporated areas or other municipalities.
    • The city page states that permit applications and building-permit regulations are available on the city's home page.
    “Building permits are required for any new construction, additions or alterations to current structures.”

Still unanswered

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

  • County-wide zoning — A countywide zoning ordinance administered by Keokuk County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning across Keokuk County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts for Keokuk County.
  • Building height — Building height in unincorporated Keokuk County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or permanent residential occupancy of RVs, recreational vehicles, trailers, or portable structures in Keokuk County.
4 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Keokuk County, Iowa

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

Keokuk County scores 67/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and sparse surroundings — about 8,469 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Keokuk County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas. Onsite septic is permitted by Keokuk County Public Health (Sanitarian). 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 Keokuk County, Iowa?

Land in Keokuk County runs about $7,382 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Keokuk County?

Keokuk County gets about 37.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 13.3% of years.

How remote is Keokuk County?

A representative private-land location has about 8,469 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,467,004 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 Keokuk compares in Iowa

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