Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Richland, Iowa

Richland’s own rules

• Building permitLimited

  Utility sheds, decks, porches, additions, renovations or restorations inside Richland city limits

  • Permit needed only if one of the listed triggers applies (water or sewer hook-up, 500 square feet or more, $5,000 or more in labor and materials, or an electrical inspection).
  • Refers to Richland municipal codebook 7-4-8 for the building permit rule, which was not opened.

  threshold size: >= 500 square feet · threshold cost: >= 5000 USD (labor and materials)

  “permitting utility sheds, decks, porches, additions, renovations or restorations require a building permit if a water or sewer hook-up is utilized; it will require or expand 500 square feet or more in dimension; the construction is considered extensive ($5000 or more in labor and materials) or, the construction will require an inspection for an electrical application.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Required — Accessory buildings and structures inside Richland city limits

    “a building permit must be issued prior to construction of any accessory building or structure.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Accessory buildings and structures inside Richland city limits

  • The permit form sets 6 ft from lot lines, alleys and existing structures, while Title VI 6-12-3 sets 5 ft from the principal structure or property line. The two city sources conflict; confirm with the city.
  • Title VI 6-12-3 defers to 'the zoningordinance for property setbacks' where it sets a different rule.
  • No accessory building may be erected on or across an easement.

  side/rear setback from lot lines, alleys, existing structure (permit form): >= 6 feet (permit form figure) · setback from principal structure or property line (Title VI 6-12-3): >= 5 feet (Title VI figure; conflicts with permit form)

  “accessory buildings and structures, other than a private garage, shall be limited to twelve (12) feet in height for sidewalls, and no part of the structure shall be closer than five (5) feet from the principal structure or property line, or as set forth in the zoningordinance for property setbacks.”

• Building heightSpecified

  New residential construction (per the city's building permit form) inside Richland city limits

  • Form also sets a minimum roof slope of 4/12.
  • Measurement point is the middle height of the roof, per the form.

  maximum roof height: <= 16 feet (measured from the middle height of roof) · minimum roof slope: >= 4/12 slope

  “minimum roof slope 4/12; maximum roof height 16 foot, measured from the middle height of roof.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Accessory buildings and structures other than a private garage, inside Richland city limits

    “accessory buildings and structures, other than a private garage, shall be limited to twelve (12) feet in height for sidewalls”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems for homes inside Richland city limits where no public sewer is available

  • City code sets the rule that the building sewer must connect to a private system when public sewer is unavailable and the permit limits; the county health department and Iowa DNR also apply (see separate claims).
  • City code applies the rule inside city limits only.

  “before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owrler shall first obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Privies, septic tanks and cesspools inside Richland city limits

  • Banned except as the code provides; private systems are allowed only where public sewer is not available within 150 feet.
  • Discharge of septic tanks to natural outlets is not allowed.
  • Owner must operate and maintain private systems in a sanitary manner at no expense to the city.

  “no septic tank or cesspool shall be permitted to discharge to any natural outlet.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  New or existing homes inside Richland city limits that abut a street with a public sanitary or combined sewer

  • Connection is required when a public sewer is within 150 feet of the property line (distance rule in code).
  • When a public sewer becomes available, connection is required within 60 days at the owner's expense, and septic tanks must be abandoned.
  • Water connection rule not established in the sources read.

  public sewer distance from property line triggering connection: <= 150 feet (public sewer must be within this distance) · connection deadline after sewer becomes available: <= 60 days (stated for sewer availability events)

  “provided that said public sewer is within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the property line.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway approach to a garage or accessory structure inside Richland city limits

  • Drainage tube standard: double-wall plastic, galvanized metal, or concrete.
  • Tube minimum dimensions stated on the form.

  drainage tube length: >= 10 feet · drainage tube diameter: >= 12 inches

  “the entrance or approach to a garage or accessory structure requires installation of a drainage tube.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building sewer connection permit in Richland city limits

  • Fee applies to the building sewer permit only; building permit fees were not found.
  • Industrial building sewer permit fee is higher; not applicable to residences.
  • Paid when the application is filed.

  residential or commercial building sewer permit and inspection fee: 5 USD (industrial building sewer permit fee is higher)

  “a permit and inspection fee of $5.00 dollars for a residential or commercial building sewer permit”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications for construction inside Richland city limits

  • Application goes to the city council; council meets the first Monday of each month.
  • Construction must start within 60 days of approval and finish within 240 days.
  • Variance requests must be petitioned in person.
  • Permit form is undated (2021 upload); city phone (319) 456-2511 per the city home page.

  application lead time before council meeting: >= 14 days · start deadline after approval: <= 60 days · completion deadline after approval: <= 240 days

  “application must be submitted for approval, 14 days prior to the regular city council meeting (first monday of each month).”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Richland city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Richland city limits
• Local zoning — Whether Richland city adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance for land inside its limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts inside Richland city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Richland 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.