Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Andrew, Iowa

Andrew’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, moving, or addition of structures inside Andrew city limits, per the city permit form

  • The city permits all construction projects through its building permits department.
  • Permit form: no work may begin until a permit has been issued.
  • Council approval is also required for exterior structures (see permit_process claim).

  “that no work shall begin until a permit has been issued”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted work inside Andrew city limits

  • Inspection is by a person appointed by the mayor, on completion of the work, to check compliance with the permit and city ordinances.

  “all work should be inspected upon completion by a person appointed by the mayor to assure compliance to said permit and city ordinances.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Andrew city limits: the city code refers to its own zoning ordinance and zoned districts

  • The city code (section 3-10-15) and the city's 6-16 and cell-tower provisions refer to 'the zoning ordinance' and 'all other general zoning district regulations' of Andrew city; the text of that ordinance and its district schedule was not located in this research run, so the district-level topics are unknown.
  • The quoted reference is in the vehicle-storage exception, not in a zoning chapter.

  “as authorized under the zoning ordinance or restricted residence district of this city”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Residential area inside Andrew city limits, per the city's building permit application form; the form does not name a zoning district

  • Figures are as written on the city's permit application form, which states that a detailed sketch must show distances from all lot lines.
  • The form writes the figures with a prime mark (30’, 7’); unit read as feet.
  • Form item 5: a $20.00 fee applies to applications requesting a variance; variance standards not located.
  • Zoning-district setbacks (including any agricultural or rural district) not located; these figures may not match the zoning ordinance.

  front yard setback: >= 30 feet · side yard setback: >= 7 feet · rear yard setback: >= 30 feet

  “residential area: front yard required 30’ side yard required 7’ rear yard required 30’”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Platted subdivisions of land inside Andrew city limits under the city's subdivision provisions in the code

  • Preliminary plats go to the city engineer and governing body; the final plat and the rest of the subdivision chapter were not opened.

  “the city clerk-treasurer shall forthwith refer two (2) copies of the preliminary plat to the city engineer and (2) copies to the governing body.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit applications for construction inside Andrew city limits

  • Application and fee must be received at city hall two weeks before the council meeting where it is presented.
  • Permit is good for one year.
  • A $20.00 fee applies to applications requesting a variance.

  building permit fee: 15 USD (Variance applications: $20.00 permit fee (form item 5))

  “application and a $15.00 permit fee must be received at the city hall 2 weeks prior to the council meeting or special meeting that it is to be presented at and is good for one year.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits for exterior structures and other construction inside Andrew city limits

  • Application requires a detailed sketch and narrative showing lot lines and distances.
  • Council approval is required for exterior structures (fences, decks, porches, sheds, moved structures) before work begins.
  • Work must finish within one year of issuance, or a new permit is needed.
  • Work is inspected on completion by a mayor-appointed person.

  “approval of the city council on all exterior structures is required before construction/repair is begun”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders in Andrew city
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Andrew city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new buildings inside Andrew city limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and schedule for Andrew city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Andrew city's residential districts

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.