Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Remsen, Iowa

Remsen’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Building work inside Remsen city limits, including structures that change outside dimensions, decks, cement patios, sidewalks, cement structures and residential-district fences

  • Construction may not begin until the permit is approved and all fees are paid to city hall (permit form).
  • Starting a building, addition or fence before obtaining a permit carries a $500 fine assessed to the owner (Chapter 147 text on the permit form).
  • Section 147.02 also refers to a zoning certificate of occupancy.

  unpermitted construction fine: 500 USD (construction started before obtaining a building permit)

  “147.02 permit required. no building shall be undertaken without a building permit as required by this chapter or a zoning certificate of occupancy.”

• InspectionsLimited

  Permitted work that changes the outside dimensions of a structure (including decks), cement patios, sidewalks or cement structures, and residential-district fences inside Remsen city limits

  • Inspection is required only for the categories named in the permit text; the source does not state an inspection requirement for all building work.
  • The permit form also says the structure must be inspected for groundwater and surface run-off under Section 95.04 (not verified against the code text).

  “inspection by the appropriate city of remsen employee shall be required”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Remsen city limits (City of Remsen, Iowa, Plymouth County per city address)

  • The city's permit form refers to building and zoning regulations of the city and to zoning districts A (residence), B (commercial) and C (industrial). The zoning ordinance text itself was not located, so this records only that the city administers zoning.
  • Chapter 147 (building permits) cross-references a zoning certificate of occupancy.

  “other need information attached that may be necessary for the enforcement of the building and zoning regulations of the city”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning district classifications for land inside Remsen city limits

  • The permit application lists three zoning categories: A (residence), B (commercial) and C (industrial).
  • The district regulations and zoning map were not located; only the category names are published in this form.

  “"a" residence "b" commercial "c" industrial”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permit fees for work inside Remsen city limits

  • Fees are calculated on the total valuation of the building (section 147.04).
  • The fee schedule is available upon request; the published text does not include the schedule.
  • Zoning administrator fees (section 147.05) are also calculated on valuation and billed with the building permit.
  • A bill is sent when the permit is issued and must be paid before construction begins.

  “147.04 permit fees. fees are calculated based total valuation of building. fee schedule is available upon request.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit application process for work inside Remsen city limits

  • Applications must be submitted to city hall with a plat in duplicate drawn to scale, and Iowa One Call (800-292-8989) must be called first.
  • Applications are approved by city council and a bill is sent; construction may not begin until approved and paid.
  • A permit must start construction within 60 days of issue or it becomes void; construction must be completed within 12 months, with a $20 per day penalty for late completion absent good cause.

  start deadline after issue: <= 60 days (otherwise the permit becomes void) · completion deadline after issue: <= 12 months (unless good cause shown; then $20 per day penalty)

  “applications will be approved by city council.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Remsen city limits
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Remsen city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — New or altered buildings inside Remsen city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the main single-family residential district (A Residence) inside Remsen city limits
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the A Residence district inside Remsen 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.