Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Hayesville, Iowa

Rules another office applies inside Hayesville

Hayesville 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)

  Private sewage disposal systems on land inside Hayesville city (Keokuk County, Iowa), under the statewide rule in 567 IAC chapter 69

  • The rule defines the administrative authority as the department or the local county board of health, as authorized by Iowa Code section 455B.172 and chapter 137.
  • Which body acts as administrative authority for Hayesville city was not confirmed on an official Keokuk County page; the county board of health is named as a possible authority by the rule text only.
  • No Hayesville city ordinance on septic was located.

  ““administrative authority” means the department or the local county board of health as authorized by iowa code section 455b.172 and chapter 137.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing or altering a private sewage disposal system on land inside Hayesville city (Keokuk County, Iowa)

  • Construction may proceed only after a construction permit issued by the administrative authority is obtained prior to construction (567 IAC 69.1(4)).
  • Site evaluation by the administrative authority is required before a construction permit is issued (567 IAC 69.1(6)a).
  • The chapter is intended to act as a permit by rule for PSDSs (567 IAC 69.1(5)).
  • Permit fees and application forms for Keokuk County were not located on an official page.

  “no psds shall be installed or altered as described in 69.1(3) “b” unless a construction permit issued by the administrative authority is obtained prior to construction.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Newly constructed private sewage disposal systems on land inside Hayesville city (Keokuk County, Iowa)

  • The final inspection occurs before the system is backfilled, and a final as-built drawing is kept on file with the construction permit (567 IAC 69.1(6)c).
  • The administrative authority is the inspecting body; the rule names the department or the local county board of health.

  “the administrative authority shall conduct an at-location inspection of all newly constructed psdss before the system is backfilled.”

• Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

  Homes on land inside Hayesville city where no public sewer (POTW) is available

  • Allowed only with an approved private sewage disposal system installed under a construction permit (567 IAC 69.1(3)a(3) and 69.1(4)).
  • A holding tank may be used only if all other PSDS options are impractical (567 IAC 69.1(3)a(3)).
  • Whether a public sewer is available inside Hayesville city was not confirmed; the availability determination is made by the administrative authority.

  “when a potw is not available, every building wherein persons generate domestic sewage shall be provided with an approved psds.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A new home on land inside Hayesville city: the state septic rule bars a private system where a public sewer (POTW) is available; whether Hayesville city operates a POTW was not confirmed

  • The state rule addresses sewer connection only; it does not itself state a public water rule, and no Hayesville city sewer-connection ordinance was located.
  • "a potw may be considered unavailable when the potw, or any building or any exterior drainage facility connected thereto, is located more than 200 feet from any proposed building or exterior drainage facility on any lot or premises that abuts and is served by a potw."
  • "final determination of availability shall be made by the administrative authority."
  • If a POTW becomes available within 200 feet, an existing building served by a PSDS must connect within a time frame set by the administrative authority (567 IAC 69.1(3)a(2)).

  distance to public sewer for availability: 200 feet (Measured from the proposed building or exterior drainage facility to the POTW or its connected facilities, per 567 IAC 69.1(3)a(1))

  “no psds shall be installed, repaired, or rehabilitated where a publicly owned treatment works (potw) is available or where a local ordinance requires connection to a potw.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for a new home inside Hayesville city
• Owner-builder exemption — Whether an owner-builder exemption from permits exists inside Hayesville city
• Building code adopted — Whether Hayesville city adopts a residential building code
• Inspections — Whether building inspections are required for construction inside Hayesville city
• Certificate of occupancy — Whether a certificate of occupancy is required before occupying a new home inside Hayesville 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.