Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Martinsburg, Iowa

Rules another office applies inside Martinsburg

Martinsburg 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 (septic) on land inside Martinsburg city, Iowa; the state rule applies statewide including inside the city. The local administrator is the county board of health if it runs the program; Keokuk County's role was not confirmed on an official page.

  • Applies only to private sewage disposal systems (567 IAC 69.1(1)).
  • The administrative authority is the department or the local county board of health as authorized by Iowa Code section 455b.172 and chapter 137 (567 IAC 69.1(2)).
  • Keokuk County's board of health or environmental health office was not confirmed on an official page; the county environmental health page (keokukcounty.iowa.gov/business/county-government/environmental) returned HTTP 404 on 2026-11-02.
  • The chapter header shows a rescission date of 7/12/31 under Iowa Code section 17a.7; this is not an effective date.

  ““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

  Installation or alteration of a private sewage disposal system (septic) on land inside Martinsburg city, Iowa, under the statewide rule

  • Applies only to private sewage disposal systems (567 IAC 69.1(1)).
  • The permit is issued by the administrative authority (the department or the local county board of health), which must conduct a site evaluation before issuing it (567 IAC 69.1(6)a).
  • Repairs that do not change the treatment or disposal of the waste are not considered alterations (567 IAC 69.1(3)).
  • The chapter header shows a rescission date of 7/12/31 under Iowa Code section 17a.7; this is not an effective date.
  • Public sewer connection may replace a septic system; that is not addressed in this chapter and needs the city's rule.

  “69.1(4) construction permit required. 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 (septic) on land inside Martinsburg city, Iowa, under the statewide rule

  • Applies only to newly constructed private sewage disposal systems; the at-location inspection happens before the system is backfilled (567 IAC 69.1(6)c).
  • A final as-built drawing must be made as part of the final inspection and kept with the construction permit (567 IAC 69.1(6)c).
  • The administrative authority is the department or the local county board of health; Keokuk County's role was not confirmed on an official page.
  • The chapter header shows a rescission date of 7/12/31 under Iowa Code section 17a.7; this is not an effective date.

  “c. final inspections. the administrative authority shall conduct an at-location inspection of all newly constructed psdss before the system is backfilled. a final as-built drawing shall be made as part of the final inspection and kept on file with the construction permit.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — General building permit for new residential construction inside Martinsburg city, Iowa
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for permits inside Martinsburg city, Iowa
• Building code adopted — Adoption of a building code by Martinsburg city, Iowa
• Inspections — General building inspection for construction inside Martinsburg city, Iowa
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Martinsburg city, Iowa

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.