Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Urbana, Iowa

Urbana’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting, moving, adding to, structurally altering, locating or using a building or structure inside Urbana city

  • Permit is issued by the planning and zoning commission under the city zoning ordinance (review delegated to the building inspector per chapter 21.05(10)).
  • Code as updated 6-14-18; no effective date stated for section 155.04.

  “155.04 building permit required. no building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to, structurally altered, located or used in the city without first obtaining a permit therefor from the planning and zoning commission in accordance with the zoning ordinance for the city and amendments thereto.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Urbana city limits

  • Adopted editions are as written in the 2013 (updated 6-14-18) code: 2003 IBC, 2003 IRC, 2003 IPC, 2003 IMC and 2002 NEC.
  • Current edition status not verified; adoption is 'except for such portions as may hereinafter be deleted, modified or amended'.

  “the international building code, 2003 edition; the international residential code for one- and two-family dwellings, 2003 edition; the 2003 international plumbing code; the 2003 international mechanical code; and the 2002 national electrical code are hereby adopted in full, by reference, except for such portions as may hereinafter be deleted, modified or amended.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Urbana city limits: the city adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 281, 'zoning ordinance for the city of urbana, iowa')

  • The zoning ordinance text is stated to be in the code appendix, which is not included in the 2013 (updated 6-14-18) PDF copy reviewed; district contents were not read.
  • Amendments are listed in the chapter 165 editor's note but their text was not reviewed.

  “ordinance no. 281 entitled "zoning ordinance for the city of urbana, iowa," adopted november 24, 1997, and amendments thereto are contained in the appendix of this code of ordinances and are in full force and effect.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Platting of land inside Urbana city limits under the city subdivision regulations (chapter 166)

  • Applies to land being platted; the excerpt describes the subdivider's duties for water mains.
  • Chapter 166 also addresses plat recording, improvements, flood-prone land and fees; only the water-main passage was read.

  “the subdivider of land being platted shall install and construct a water main system to adequately serve all lots or parcels of land within the platted area”

• Permit processPartial

  Building and other permit review in Urbana city

  • Permit review and approval delegated by the planning and zoning commission to the building inspector; appeals go to the board of adjustment as the zoning ordinance authorizes.
  • Application forms and step-by-step process not located.

  “to the building inspector, provided the same comply with this code of ordinances, the rules and regulations of the city and other requirements of law.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Urbana city
• Inspections — Inspections for construction inside Urbana city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new buildings inside Urbana city
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and schedule for Urbana city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum single-family dwelling size inside Urbana city (main residential district)

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.