Bolthole Index

Polk County, Iowa

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Urbandale, Iowa

Urbandale, Iowa requires a building permit for almost all construction, from the city's Department of Community Development1. The city adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance, Chapter 1602. Septic permits in Polk County come from Polk County Environmental Health Services, not the city3; we could not confirm whether new Urbandale homes must use city sewer.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for almost all construction, issued by the city; minor repairs and small portable sheds excepted1
Zoning
Yes, the city's own zoning ordinance (Chapter 160) applies to all land inside city limits2
Minimum lot, R-1S
8,750 square feet and 70 feet wide (corner lots excepted)4
Minimum lot, A-2 Estate Residential
10 acres and 300 feet wide5
Septic permits
Polk County Environmental Health Services (county-wide except Des Moines)3

Who to call

Building permits

City of Urbandale Community Development (Building Services)

Building permits, plan review and zoning approval for construction inside Urbandale city limits

515-278-3935

3600 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322

Septic permits

Polk County Environmental Health Services

Septic permits and inspections, and Time of Transfer septic inspection reports, across Polk County outside the City of Des Moines

515-286-3705

publicworks@polkcountyiowa.gov

5885 NE 14 Street, Des Moines, IA 50313

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Urbandale, Iowa?

Yes. Urbandale requires a building permit for almost all construction, with minor repairs and small, portable storage sheds excepted6. Plumbing, mechanical and electrical work each need their own permits6.

Zoning approval is separate: a portable shed that needs no building permit still needs zoning approval, which also checks that the structure sits clear of easements6. Applications go on the city's building permit application or in person at the Department of Community Development6.

Review is an administrative job done by city staff, not by the city council or another policy body7. A permit issues when plans comply and fees are paid7.

Who issues building permits in Urbandale, and how do you reach them?

The City of Urbandale's Department of Community Development issues building permits inside the city1. Building Services is at 3600 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322, phone 515-278-39356.

This is the city's office, not Polk County's. Polk County Building Services covers only unincorporated land, so an Urbandale address does not go to the county planning counter. For land outside the city, see the Polk County page.

Building code adoption, inspection requirements, certificates of occupancy and any owner-builder exemption inside Urbandale are not confirmed here, so ask Building Services which codes apply before you draw plans.

Does Urbandale have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. Urbandale adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance, Chapter 160, for all land inside city limits2. Each zoning district sets its own minimum dimensions2, so check the district for your parcel on the city's zoning map.

  • R-1S Suburban Density Single-Family: minimum lot of 8,750 square feet and 70 feet wide, except corner lots4. Setbacks are 30 feet front, 8 feet each side and 30 feet rear8.
  • R-1L Low Density Single-Family: minimum lot of 13,500 square feet and 90 feet wide, except corner lots9. Setbacks are 30 feet front, 12 feet each side and 35 feet rear10.
  • A-2 Estate Residential, the rural-residential district: minimum lot of 10 acres and 300 feet wide5. The front setback is 50 feet from the right-of-way or 80 feet from the street centerline, whichever is greater11.

Building height in these three districts is capped at 35 feet, subject to a bulk plane12. Plat setbacks larger than the code minimum can control, so confirm with the zoning administrator.

How do septic permits work in Urbandale?

Iowa requires a construction permit from the local board of health or the Iowa DNR before a private septic system is installed or altered13. In Polk County, Polk County Environmental Health Services issues those permits and inspects installations everywhere in the county except Des Moines3. The city does not issue them.

Whether a new home inside Urbandale must connect to city sewer, or may use a septic system at all, is not confirmed here. Ask Community Development before buying a lot you expect to sewer privately.

If a home is on septic, Iowa's Time of Transfer law requires the system to be inspected before sale or deed transfer3. Wells are permitted by the county health department as well14.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Urbandale?

We could not confirm Urbandale's rules for living in an RV, camping on private land, or occupying a tiny home. The city's zoning code has separate sections on recreational vehicle parks, temporary uses, manufactured dwellings and accessory dwelling units, but we did not confirm what they allow.

Ask the Department of Community Development at 515-278-3935 before parking a camper on a lot or buying a tiny home for a city parcel6. Polk County's RV and tiny home rules apply only outside city limits, so do not rely on them inside Urbandale.

Building a home in Urbandale: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district for the parcel with the Department of Community Development and read its minimum lot size and setbacks2.
  2. Ask Building Services which building codes and inspections apply6.
  3. Settle sewer or septic. If septic is allowed, apply to Polk County Environmental Health Services3.
  4. Submit the city building permit application with plans and specifications1.
  5. Get separate permits for plumbing, mechanical and electrical work6.
  6. Staff review plans for building code and zoning compliance, and the permit issues when plans comply and fees are paid7.

What stays with Polk County, and what to check before you buy in Urbandale?

Septic permits and well permits stay with the county health office, even for addresses inside Urbandale3. Polk County's building, zoning and floodplain rules cover unincorporated land only; the Polk County page has them.

Before buying, ask the city about sewer service, flood zones and any plat setbacks on the lot. Polk County's effective property tax rate is 1.8%15, and its median property tax bill is $4,364 a year16; Urbandale's own levy may differ.

Watch-outs

  • A city lot may carry plat setbacks larger than the zoning code minimum, so confirm them with the zoning administrator before you design8.
  • Zoning approval is required for small structures such as portable sheds even when no building permit is needed6.
  • We could not confirm Urbandale's adopted building codes, sewer-connection rule, owner-builder exemption, or RV and tiny home rules; Community Development at 515-278-3935 can answer each6.

Sources

  1. City of Urbandale, Permits (Department of Community Development) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  2. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning, general provisions (American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7920) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  3. Polk County Environmental Health Services (polkcountyiowa.gov)
  4. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning (district pages; American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7988) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  5. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning (district pages; American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7988) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  6. City of Urbandale Community Development (Building Services) (urbandale.org)
  7. City of Urbandale, Permits (Department of Community Development) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  8. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning (district pages; American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7988) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  9. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning (district pages; American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7988) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  10. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning (district pages; American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7988) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  11. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning (district pages; American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7988) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  12. Urbandale, Iowa Municipal Code, Chapter 160 Zoning (district pages; American Legal Publishing page 0-0-0-7988) (Urbandale), quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 69 — Private Sewage Disposal Systems (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Private Well Construction Permits (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Urbandale

Urbandale’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction and most alterations inside Urbandale city limits, issued by the city Department of Community Development

    • Minor repairs and small, portable storage sheds are excepted from the building permit.
    • Zoning approval is required for portable sheds and other new structures even if a building permit is not required.
    • Permits also must be obtained for all plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work.
    • Permit applications must be fully completed and accompanied by plans and specifications; applications are made on the city building permit application or at the Department of Community Development, 3600 86th Street.
    “a building permit is required for almost all construction except for minor repairs and small, portable storage sheds.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Urbandale city limits; the city adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance (Chapter 160, Zoning) with district bulk requirements.

    • Zoning districts, bulk limits and permits apply to all land inside city limits as set by Chapter 160; the zoning map is Appendix A to the code.
    • Structures and land uses also require compliance with the zoning code as enforced by the zoning administrator (see Chapter 160 administration section, not opened).
    “(d) bulk requirements. (1) minimum and maximum dimension and area requirements are hereby established for each zoning district, which shall be as set forth in the code sections for each zoning district.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Urbandale city limits, published as Chapter 160 district sections with a zoning map (Appendix A)

    • District sections such as A-2 (§ 160.05), R-1L (§ 160.06), R-1S (§ 160.08) and R-2 (§ 160.09) are published in the code; the § 160.03 district list and Appendix A map were not opened.
    “§ 160.08 “r-1s” suburban density single-family district.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    A-2 Estate Residential District (§ 160.05), the agricultural and rural-residential district inside Urbandale city limits

    • Minimum lot width is 300 feet.

    minimum lot area: >= 10 acres · minimum lot width: >= 300 feet

    “(e) bulk requirements. the following minimum requirements shall be observed: (1) minimum lot area: ten acres; (2) minimum lot width: 300 feet;”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1S Suburban Density Single-Family District (§ 160.08) inside Urbandale city limits

    • Setbacks listed are minimums for principal buildings; plat setbacks larger than the code minimum control (§ 160.02(d)(2), not verified verbatim).
    • Front yard setback may be increased to match abutting homes under § 160.25 (not verified in this record).

    minimum front yard setback: >= 30 feet · minimum side yard setback: >= 8 feet each side (except street side yards) · minimum rear yard setback: >= 30 feet

    “(3) minimum front yard setback: 30 feet; (4) minimum side yard setbacks: 8 feet each side, except street side yards; (5) minimum rear yard setback: 30 feet;”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    A-2 Estate Residential District (§ 160.05), the agricultural and rural-residential district inside Urbandale city limits

    • Subject to the same bulk-plane language as the single-family districts as shown in the bulk block; full exception text not read.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (subject to bulk plane)

    “(6) maximum building height: 35 feet, provided that no building shall exceed a bulk plane having a 14-degree altitude”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit review and approval inside Urbandale city limits, administered by city staff

    • Review is an administrative function performed by city staff; permit applications are not reviewed by the city council or any other policy body.
    • Plans are reviewed by the building official/plans examiner for building code compliance and by staff for zoning compliance; a permit issues when plans comply and all fees are paid.
    • Architectural and structural engineering certifications are required for most nonresidential construction and must come from Iowa-licensed professionals.
    “the review and approval of a building permit application is an administrative function performed by city staff. permit applications are not reviewed by the city council or any other policy body.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Urbandale or Polk County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Urbandale city limits
  • Building code adopted — Building code adoption for new construction inside Urbandale city limits
  • Inspections — Building inspections for work inside Urbandale city limits
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new dwellings inside Urbandale city limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling unit size inside Urbandale city limits
18 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Urbandale publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Polk County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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