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Codes, exemptions & field inspections

Build to the adopted code. Verify every exception.

This guide translates the available agency record into a preconstruction checklist for structural scope, minor work, and inspection release. The adopted code and the issuing official control when a field condition is disputed.

Regulatory framework

The code baseline for Des Moines County.

Des Moines County Land Use Department administers county zoning, floodplain, subdivision, airport-height, and related land-use ordinances in the limited county zoning jurisdiction within 2 miles of Burlington. Zoning districts are A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-2, C-1, I-1, PUD, and FP. A current Floodplain Development Ordinance No. 25 was adopted April 21, 2026 and effective May 26, 2026; it incorporates current FEMA flood maps, including May 26, 2026 panels, and requires floodplain development permits and flood-resistant construction standards. The county land-use program is not a general technical building-code inspection program; applicable Iowa State Building Code, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, health, septic, and municipal requirements also apply.

Inspection lane

Submit the zoning/special-use application with a site plan, applicable building floor plan, non-refundable fee, and any required floodplain, airport-height, entrance, well/septic, or erosion-control permits. The applicant should contact the Land Use Administrator when construction is complete; no separate routine building-inspection program is published by the county. Floodplain and zoning inspections or compliance questions go to the Land Use Department at 319-753-4313; well/septic permits are through Des Moines County Health at 319-753-8217, and county-road entrances through Secondary Roads at 319-753-8241.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

Agricultural uses, farmsteads, farm barns, farm outbuildings, and structures primarily adapted for agricultural purposes are exempt from the county zoning ordinance, subject to the ordinance's agricultural-use conditions; floodplain requirements may still apply. Other zoning-permit exemptions include accessory buildings under 175 square feet, full or partial demolition/removal, essential services, roof-mounted solar panels, and temporary construction buildings. The current floodplain ordinance also excludes minor projects under $500 from the definition of development and exempts routine maintenance such as reroofing, siding, painting, finish work, basement sealing, window-pane repairs, plumbing/electrical/HVAC repairs, and well/septic repairs. No county technical building-code exemption list was found.

Field rule

A permit exemption generally addresses one narrow construction trigger. It does not automatically waive zoning, land-use, floodplain, shoreline, fire, energy, electrical, utility, septic, or right-of-way requirements. Obtain written confirmation when the project involves a new structure, structural alteration, change in occupancy, or concealed work.

Inspection pipeline

Keep the work visible at every release point.

  1. 1

    Request with lead time

    Submit the zoning/special-use application with a site plan, applicable building floor plan, non-refundable fee, and any required floodplain, airport-height, entrance, well/septic, or erosion-control permits. The applicant should contact the Land Use Administrator when construction is complete; no separate routine building-inspection program is published by the county. Floodplain and zoning inspections or compliance questions go to the Land Use Department at 319-753-4313; well/septic permits are through Des Moines County Health at 319-753-8217, and county-road entrances through Secondary Roads at 319-753-8241.

  2. 2

    Preserve access

    Do not cover framing, reinforcement, wiring, piping, damp-proofing, or life-safety work until the required inspection has been completed and documented.

  3. 3

    Close the record

    Retain the approved plans, inspection approvals, correction responses, and final certificate or occupancy release with the property file.

Contractor verification

Verify the builder before the contract is signed.

Use the state licensing system to verify active registration, trade credentials, bond status, and liability coverage where available. Match the legal business name to the proposal and permit application.

Verify contractor ↗

Planning reference

Keep the parcel rules beside the building plans.

A building permit is only one part of statutory compliance. Check the local zoning, ordinance, map, or land-use reference before finalizing setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, drainage, or accessory structure placement.

Open planning reference ↗

Source trail

Official sources for this profile

Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.

Agency websiteOpen official source ↗Application instructionsOpen official source ↗Fee scheduleOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Des Moines County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Des Moines County Land Use Department (administered by Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission) is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.

How should I begin an application?

No verified online portal was located in the reviewed public materials. Contact 319-753-4313; Assistant Land Use Administrator 319-753-4321 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.

How long might review take?

N/A; the reviewed county materials do not publish a general zoning-permit review or issuance timeline. Approved construction must begin within six months and be completed within one year; permits can expire after those periods, subject to any approved extension.

How are inspections scheduled?

Submit the zoning/special-use application with a site plan, applicable building floor plan, non-refundable fee, and any required floodplain, airport-height, entrance, well/septic, or erosion-control permits. The applicant should contact the Land Use Administrator when construction is complete; no separate routine building-inspection program is published by the county. Floodplain and zoning inspections or compliance questions go to the Land Use Department at 319-753-4313; well/septic permits are through Des Moines County Health at 319-753-8217, and county-road entrances through Secondary Roads at 319-753-8241.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Des Moines County Land Use Department administers county zoning, floodplain, subdivision, airport-height, and related land-use ordinances in the limited county zoning jurisdiction within 2 miles of Burlington. Zoning districts are A-1, R-1, R-1A, R-2, C-1, I-1, PUD, and FP. A current Floodplain Development Ordinance No. 25 was adopted April 21, 2026 and effective May 26, 2026; it incorporates current FEMA flood maps, including May 26, 2026 panels, and requires floodplain development permits and flood-resistant construction standards. The county land-use program is not a general technical building-code inspection program; applicable Iowa State Building Code, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, health, septic, and municipal requirements also apply. Agricultural uses, farmsteads, farm barns, farm outbuildings, and structures primarily adapted for agricultural purposes are exempt from the county zoning ordinance, subject to the ordinance's agricultural-use conditions; floodplain requirements may still apply. Other zoning-permit exemptions include accessory buildings under 175 square feet, full or partial demolition/removal, essential services, roof-mounted solar panels, and temporary construction buildings. The current floodplain ordinance also excludes minor projects under $500 from the definition of development and exempts routine maintenance such as reroofing, siding, painting, finish work, basement sealing, window-pane repairs, plumbing/electrical/HVAC repairs, and well/septic repairs. No county technical building-code exemption list was found.

Field sequencing matters

The inspector needs to see the work at the right moment.

Code compliance is not only a plan-review exercise. Footings, reinforcement, framing, fireblocking, wiring, piping, insulation, weather protection, and life-safety systems each have points where the work must remain accessible. Build the inspection calendar into the trade schedule instead of treating it as a final administrative step.

When a project qualifies for a narrow minor-work exemption, keep a written explanation of why it qualifies and confirm that related zoning, utility, fire, energy, or environmental rules do not create a separate approval requirement.

Closeout file

Keep the approved plan set, inspection approvals, correction responses, contractor license verification, final certificate, and any occupancy release together. A clean record protects the owner, builder, lender, insurer, and future buyer.