Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Britt, Iowa

Rules another office applies inside Britt

Britt does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private on-site wastewater (septic) systems on land inside Britt city limits, where the system is not connected to a city sewer. Hancock County's ordinance governs all lands within the county, which includes Britt city. Britt city's own sewer rules were not located.

  • Hancock County Ordinance No. 6 states it is adopted by Hancock County and governs all lands within the county's borders; it does not carve out incorporated cities.
  • Whether Britt city has its own onsite or sewer rule that displaces the county was not verified.
  • The county's Environmental Health office in Garner administers the program per the county septic page.
  • FIPS code for Hancock County not verified; authority_id uses a state-and-name form.

  “this ordinance is adopted by hancock county governing all lands within the borders of hancock county.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction of a private (on-site septic) system on land inside Britt city limits, under the Hancock County ordinance.

  • Permit is issued by the county administrative authority (Hancock County Board of Health or its representative) on an approved application form.
  • Site and soil analysis must be conducted by a representative of the Hancock County Environmental Health office before work begins, per the county septic page.
  • Ordinance was partly amended: Section III was repealed by Ordinance 26, effective December 12, 2013.
  • Britt city sewer connection could replace an onsite system; not verified.

  “a written permit shall be required prior to the construction of private systems.”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction of a nonpublic (private) water well on land inside Britt city limits, under the Hancock County ordinance.

  • The ordinance defines private systems to include nonpublic water wells: 'private systems-on-site wastewater treatment and nonpublic water wells.'
  • The ordinance states Iowa law requires a permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources before constructing any new water well in the state; that state requirement also applies inside Britt city.
  • Britt city's own well rules were not located.

  “private systems-on-site wastewater treatment and nonpublic water wells.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for construction inside Britt city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for permits inside Britt city limits
• Building code adopted — Which building code Britt city adopts for construction inside city limits
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Britt city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new buildings inside Britt city limits

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.