Zoning, building permits and septic rules in New London, Iowa

New London’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Zoning permit (issued by the city zoning administrator) for any structure erected, replaced, reconstructed or enlarged inside New London city. Not verified whether a separate state-code building permit applies.

  • Permit requires approval of the zoning administrator, public works supervisor and utility foreman (section 166.02(3)).
  • Construction must start within ninety (90) days of the permit being issued (section 166.02(3)).

  “1. zoning permits required. zoning permits shall be required for the following; a. any structure hereafter erected, replaced, reconstructed or enlarged;”

• Local zoningPresent

  All land inside the incorporated boundary of New London city, Henry County, Iowa (city zoning regulations, Code chapters 165 to 170)

  • The zoning administrator, appointed by the council, enforces the zoning regulations (chapter 166.01).

  “165.11 jurisdiction. these regulations apply to all land within the incorporated boundary of new london, iowa.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside New London city (Code chapter 168 districts, mapped under chapter 165)

  • The district text in chapter 168 was not read in this pass; the Code index lists industrial and open space districts there.

  “zoning map identifies the physical boundaries of the zoning districts defined below with respect to the incorporated area of the city.”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lot area for every zoning district inside New London city; the single-family residential district figures were not extracted

  • Each building must conform to the area regulations of its district (chapter 165 general provisions).
  • Numeric lot-area minimums are in the chapter 168 district tables, not yet extracted.

  “3. no building shall be erected, converted, enlarged, replaced, reconstructed, or structurally altered except in conformity with the area regulations of the district in which the building is located.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Yard and setback requirements for every zoning district inside New London city; the single-family residential district figures were not extracted

  • Yard requirements are set per district in chapter 168 and must be met (chapter 165 general provisions).
  • Numeric front, side and rear yard figures were not extracted.

  “4. no yard or other open space provided about any building for the purpose of complying with the provisions of these regulations shall be considered as providing a yard or open space for any other building”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Building height in every zoning district inside New London city

  • Height limit is set per district by the zoning regulations; the numeric limit for the residential district was not extracted.
  • Additional area and height rules are in section 170.03.

  “2. no building or structure shall be erected, converted, enlarged, replaced, reconstructed, or structurally altered to exceed the height limit herein established for the district in which the building is located.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Multiple single-family or manufactured-housing dwellings on a shared or leased lot (land-leased community) inside New London city

  • Requires a council special permit on planning and zoning commission recommendation.
  • Requires a board of adjustment conditional use permit for a land-leased community first.

  “the council may also, by special permit, upon recommendation of the planning and zoning commission, authorize the placement of multiple single-family dwellings on a shared lot and/or leased areas used by owners of manufactured housing, provided the board of adjustment first grants a conditional use permit for “land-leased community.””

  2 more reviewed findings on this topic

  • Prohibited — Mobile homes used as a residence anywhere inside New London city, regardless of zoning district

    “170.07 mobile homes not permitted. in no case shall a permit be issued for the use of a mobile home as a residence, regardless of district.”

  • Limited — Manufactured homes located outside a manufactured home community or mobile home park inside New London city

    “a mobile home or manufactured home located outside of a manufactured home community or mobile home park shall be placed on a permanent frost-free foundation system which meets the support and anchorage requirements as recommended by the manufacturer or required by the state building code.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sewage disposal inside New London city

  • Unlawful to build or maintain an on-site system except as chapter 98 provides.
  • Where a public sanitary sewer is not available, each building must have an approved on-site system (section 98.02).
  • Where a public sewer is available, connection is required (chapter 95).

  “98.01 when prohibited. except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful to construct or maintain any on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Houses and buildings used for human occupancy inside New London city that abut a street or alley with a public sanitary or combined sewer

  • Connection must be completed within 60 days after official notice from the city (section 95.05).
  • Any connection to the public sewer requires a written city permit first (section 96.01).

  connection completion period: 60 days (after official notice from the city)

  “such compliance to be completed within 60 days after date of official notice from the city to do so”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Water (with conditions) — Buildings intended or used for human habitation inside New London city

    “90.03 mandatory connections. all residences (including but not limited to all dwelling units and multiple-family dwellings) and business establishments within the city limits intended or used for human habitation, occupancy or use shall be connected to the public water system.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and platting of land inside New London city

  • Chapter 175 covers site plans, minor and major subdivision plats, and fees; section text not read beyond the table of contents.

  “175.03 jurisdiction. it is unlawful for any person being the owner, agent, or person having control of any land within the incorporated area of the city to create a division of land, whether by sale, lease, mortgage, or plat, that is not in accordance with the regulations contained herein.”

• Permit processPublished

  Zoning permit application process inside New London city

  • Application must be on approved forms and accompanied by a legible site plan.
  • Permit issued after application, drawings, payment of required fees and all signatures.

  “each application for a zoning permit shall be on approved forms and shall be accompanied by a legible site plan”

Rules another office applies inside New London

New London 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 septicMixed (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater systems for buildings inside New London city where no public sanitary sewer is available; the Henry County board of health permits and sets added rules, and state rule IAC 567-69 applies. Applies inside New London city.

  • Compliance with IAC 567 chapter 69 plus any additional county board of health regulations (section 98.03).

  “the type, capacity, location, and layout of a private on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system shall comply with the specifications and requirements set forth by the iowa administrative code 567, chapter 69, and with such additional requirements as are prescribed by the regulations of the county board of health.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing or altering an on-site wastewater system inside New London city where no public sanitary sewer is available (permit from the Henry County board of health)

  • Applies only where a public sanitary sewer is not available (section 98.02).

  “98.04 permit required. no person shall install or alter an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system without first obtaining a permit from the county board of health.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New London or Henry County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside New London city
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted for construction inside New London city
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside New London city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for buildings inside New London city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area inside New London city

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.