Administrative overview · FIPS 19153
Polk County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Polk County Public Works, Planning & Development Division / Building Services
For a project in or near Polk County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
515-286-3705; Building Inspection may also be reached at 515-286-3352
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Polk County Public Works, Planning & Development, 5885 NE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50313
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Review expectation
Polk County's zoning site-plan review should be completed within five working days and must be completed within 15 working days after receipt by the Zoning Administrator. A building permit becomes void after six months if work has not started; once started, it is valid for one year, and it becomes void if work stops for more than six consecutive months. Actual building-plan review time depends on project type and completeness.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →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.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Polk County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Polk County Public Works, Planning & Development Division / Building Services 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?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 515-286-3705; Building Inspection may also be reached at 515-286-3352.
How long might review take?
Polk County's zoning site-plan review should be completed within five working days and must be completed within 15 working days after receipt by the Zoning Administrator. A building permit becomes void after six months if work has not started; once started, it is valid for one year, and it becomes void if work stops for more than six consecutive months. Actual building-plan review time depends on project type and completeness.
How are inspections scheduled?
Apply through the OpenGov portal, where applicants can track the permit, request inspections, message the inspector, pay fees, and obtain documents. The permit holder or representative must call 515-286-3705 to request inspections; inspections are scheduled first-come, first-served. Contractors must register in the portal before filing. A lot and projected building location must be staked for inspection before construction begins. The county also provides paper applications by request and publishes project-specific handouts/checklists.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
For unincorporated Polk County, Building Services reviews plans, issues permits, and inspects construction under the 2021 International Codes for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. The county also adopts the State of Iowa plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and energy codes. Published design criteria include 30 psf ground snow load, 115 mph wind speed, Seismic Design Category A, 42-inch frost depth, severe weathering, -5°F winter design temperature, and required ice-shield underlayment. County zoning, subdivision, floodplain, environmental-health, and other applicable ordinances also apply. Required permits can include decks, pools, new homes, additions, factories, storage facilities, and chemical/fuel tanks. Polk County's zoning ordinance states that temporary greenhouses need no permit when they have no permanent electrical, plumbing, or mechanical improvements; chicken coops and small-animal shelters under 120 square feet still must meet setbacks and animal-regulation separation standards. Building-mounted and ground-mounted solar systems require permits to determine structural compatibility. Agricultural exemptions cover qualifying agricultural land and structures only while used for agriculture; properties under 70 acres must submit an Agricultural Exemption Application and receive a written determination. Recurring maintenance work does not require a certificate of occupancy. Additional minor-work exemptions depend on the specific construction-code handout and should be confirmed with Building Services.