Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Pleasant Hill, Iowa

Pleasant Hill’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, alteration, repair or demolition of buildings and structures inside Pleasant Hill city limits (homes, basements, decks, garages, sheds, etc.), subject to the exceptions listed.

  • Permit exceptions stated by the city: residential accessory buildings with an area of 40 square feet or less. must conform to setback requirements, regardless of size.
  • Also excepted: replacement of decking boards, only if no structural changes are made; painting, papering, wallboard repair and similar finish work; concrete work outside of the public right-of-way, approach, or sidewalk areas, such as patios, slabs, and driveway extensions.
  • The city's page says work must still conform to code even where a permit is not required.
  • Construction may proceed after the permit is issued (conditional status).

  “building permit - required when any building or structure, such as a home, basement, deck, attached and detached garage, shed, etc., is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, improved, converted or demolished.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Limited — Small detached accessory structures on residential lots inside Pleasant Hill city limits (exemption from permit only; not from setbacks).

    “accessory structures of forty (40) square feet or less, no taller than twelve (12) feet, and of a movable design, plus ground mounted play structures no taller than ten (10) feet with a footprint of no more than 400 square feet, shall be exempt from permit requirements.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Pleasant Hill city limits. The city administers its own zoning ordinance (City Code Chapters 165-174, with district regulations in Chapter 167).

  • Chapter 165.16 of the city's official PDF is marked '(chapter 165 - ord. 857 - june 18)'; the city's accessory-structure rules apply in all zoning districts.
  • The city's zoning administrator issues zoning-related permits and certificates (per the city permits page, which lists setback, easement and height requirements).

  “accessory buildings and structures for all other uses shall comply with the regulations contained in chapter 167 of the zoning code and all other standards for principal structures.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Accessory buildings and structures (sheds, detached garages, etc.) in all zoning districts inside Pleasant Hill city; principal-building setbacks are not covered by this claim

  • Accessory structures may only be erected in a rear yard and may not extend past the front of any principal building.
  • Setbacks apply regardless of exemption from permit; the 40 sq ft exemption does not waive setbacks.
  • Architectural and design standards in Chapter 173 also apply to accessory buildings.

  minimum setback from lot lines, alley lines and adjoining lots: >= 5 feet (vehicle entrance facing an alley: 20 feet from the alley line) · minimum separation from principal building: >= 10 feet

  “maintain a minimum distance of five (5) feet from any lot lines, alley lines and any adjoining lots, except that when any vehicle entrance to an accessory building faces the alley, said accessory building shall be setback at least twenty (20) feet from the alley line.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveway approaches (curb cuts) that affect the public right-of-way or sidewalk areas in Pleasant Hill city

  • A permit is not needed for the portion of driveway not in the public right-of-way or sidewalk areas.
  • Sidewalk permits are separately required for construction, repair, reconstruction or removal of sidewalk on public property.

  “driveway approach permit - required for the removal of any part of any curb along the edge of any traveled way, or for the removal, replacement or construction of a permanent or temporary driveway approach. a permit is not needed if for the portion of driveway not in the public right-of-way or sidewalk areas.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit application process inside Pleasant Hill city limits

  • Most building permits require construction plans or drawings; complexity depends on the project.
  • Applications are filed online through the city's Citizenserve portal, which also handles payment and tracking; payments by check or cash remain available.
  • Card payments are subject to a 3.05% convenience fee ($2.00 minimum) collected by CSG Forte.
  • Building department: 5160 Maple Dr., Suite A, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327; 515-309-9461; Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

  card payment convenience fee: 3.05 percent ($2.00 minimum)

  “most building permits require construction plans or drawings that show how your proposal meets applicable code provisions.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Pleasant Hill or Polk County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for permits in Pleasant Hill city
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted by Pleasant Hill city
• Inspections — General building inspections for construction inside Pleasant Hill city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for buildings in Pleasant Hill city limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district regulations for Pleasant Hill 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.