Bolthole Index

Story County, Iowa

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Story County, Iowa

52Index Score / 100
#61 of 99 in Iowa

Unincorporated Story County, Iowa requires a zoning permit for all new construction and any change in use of land or a building1. The county zones all unincorporated land, with allowable uses set by district23. Septic systems and private wells go through the Story County Environmental Health Department45.

At a glance

Building/zoning permit
Required for all new construction and changes in use in unincorporated Story County1
Zoning
All unincorporated land is zoned; allowed uses depend on the zoning district23
Septic
Story County Environmental Health oversees domestic and commercial onsite wastewater4
Wells
A site review, construction permit and inspections are required for new private or geothermal wells5
Owner-builder exemption
Yes for contractor registration - working on your own property isn't 'contracting' under Iowa law, but permits and inspections still apply67
Manufactured homes
Allowed; must meet the same foundation, setback and minimum-size standards as a site-built home8
RV or tiny-home living
Private-land occupancy rules could not be confirmed; ask Planning and Development before relying on either use2
Floodplain development
A county permit is required in mapped special flood hazard areas9

Who to call

Building permits

Story County Planning and Development Department

Zoning permits, site plans, floodplain permits and inspections for unincorporated Story County

(515) 382-7245

[email protected]

900 Sixth St., Nevada, IA 50201

Online permits →

Building permits

Story County Planning and Development Department - Applications and Permits

Explains which projects need a zoning permit and how to apply

[email protected]

Online permits →

Building permits

Story County Planning and Development Fee Schedule

Published fee schedule for zoning, subdivision, floodplain and other Planning and Development permits

Septic permits

Story County Environmental Health Department

Septic (onsite wastewater) permits, private well and geothermal well permits, site evaluations and time-of-transfer inspection report reviews

(515) 382-7240

[email protected]

900 6th Street, Nevada, IA 50201

Septic permits

Story County Environmental Health Department - Wastewater/Septic Information

Explains state and county rules for private sewage disposal systems

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Story County, Iowa?

Unincorporated Story County requires a zoning permit for all new construction and any change in use of land or a building1. Most structures need permits, including dwellings, pole buildings, fences, decks and signs2. Even a portable structure needs a permit and must meet the setbacks that apply to its property lines10. Iowa does not impose one universal residential building-permit rule on every county; state-code coverage depends on the building and whether a local government has adopted the code11. We could not confirm that Story County has adopted a general building construction code, a general building-inspection requirement or a certificate-of-occupancy requirement, so ask Planning and Development which reviews apply to the proposed structure. Electrical permits and inspections are handled by the State of Iowa, not Story County12.

Who issues building permits in Story County, Iowa?

The Story County Planning and Development Department handles county zoning permits for unincorporated land13. Reach the department at 900 Sixth St. in Nevada, IA 50201, by phone at (515) 382-7245, or by email at [email protected]14. The county's online portal accepts commercial and residential zoning permits, floodplain permits, property-research requests, changes in use, sign permits and special-event permits13. Contact the department by phone or email for an application not offered through the portal13. The county publishes its zoning fees and fines in schedules identified as effective August 18, 202615. Because the county permit is a zoning approval, ask the department at the outset whether the particular project also needs any separate state review or trade permit.

Does Story County have zoning?

All of unincorporated Story County is zoned, and the county combines its zoning and subdivision rules in the Story County Land Development Regulations216. Those regulations divide land into districts and identify the uses allowed in each district, so a rural address alone does not establish that a house, tiny home or other use is allowed3. Required setbacks also vary by district and use10. Iowa law generally removes qualifying agricultural land and structures from county zoning while they remain used for agricultural purposes, but floodplain controls can still apply17. In the A-1 Agricultural District, a single-family lot may qualify for a one-net-acre exception to the usual 35-acre minimum only after a favorable Land Evaluation Site Assessment and, in the Ames Fringe Area, the required plan designation18. Land divisions are regulated too, so confirm subdivision status before assuming a larger parcel can be split19.

How do septic and well permits work in Story County?

The Story County Environmental Health Department has jurisdiction over domestic and commercial wastewater treatment for homes, small businesses and nonresidential outbuildings4. Iowa law also gives the Department of Natural Resources concurrent authority and requires county standards to be at least as stringent as state standards20. Only about 29% of Story County soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field, so obtain the site evaluation before budgeting for a standard system21. For a new installation, the contractor must give Environmental Health eight hours' notice before the final inspection, and the system cannot be covered until the department has inspected it and documented major components22. For many sales of properties served by private septic, Iowa requires a certified inspection before transfer; the inspection remains valid for two years, subject to statutory exceptions23.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Story County?

We could not confirm a countywide rule allowing an RV or tiny home to be occupied on private land in Story County. All unincorporated land is zoned, allowable uses depend on the district, and even portable structures require permits and setbacks, so get a parcel-specific answer from Planning and Development before buying or moving a unit onto the site2310. Story County's seasonal camping rules apply only to designated Conservation Board campgrounds; they do not answer whether someone may live in an RV on a private parcel24. A manufactured home used as a permanent residence follows a clearer state rule: Story County cannot reject it solely because it is manufactured, but it must meet the foundation, setback and minimum-size standards that apply to a site-built house on the same lot8.

Building a home in Story County, Iowa: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Planning and Development to confirm the parcel's zoning district, allowed residential use, setbacks and whether a land division is needed31019.
  2. Check the flood map early; development in an unincorporated special flood hazard area requires a floodplain development permit9.
  3. Submit the residential zoning-permit application through the county's online portal and check the current published fee schedule1315.
  4. Apply to Environmental Health for septic approval and, if needed, a private-water or geothermal-well permit; a new well requires a site review, permit and inspections45.
  5. Arrange electrical permits and inspections through the State of Iowa because Story County does not perform them12.
  6. Keep a new septic system uncovered until Environmental Health completes its final inspection22.

What should you check before buying land in Story County, Iowa?

Soils and septic: only about 29% of Story County soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility a purchase contingency21. Water: a new private or geothermal well requires a county site review, construction permit and inspections; the permit application fee is $1505. Flood: development in mapped special flood hazard areas of unincorporated Story County requires a county floodplain permit9. Access: an entrance onto an Iowa primary highway needs Iowa DOT district approval before work begins25. Lot status: Story County regulates subdivisions, and the A-1 district's one-net-acre residential exception has specific land-assessment conditions1918. Taxes: the effective property-tax rate is about 1.5%, with a median annual bill near $3,5862627.

Watch-outs

  • Story County's public-campground season and stay limits do not establish a right to occupy an RV on private land; ask Planning and Development for a parcel-specific answer242.
  • A new septic installation must remain uncovered until Story County Environmental Health performs the final inspection22.
  • A qualifying agricultural use can be exempt from county zoning, but the A-1 district's smaller residential-lot exception has separate assessment conditions and should not be assumed from an agricultural address alone1718.

Sources

  1. Applications and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Applications and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  3. Development Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  4. Wastewater/Septic Information, quoted and re-checked
  5. Installing Private Water Supply and Geothermal Wells, quoted and re-checked
  6. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors (2026 county census)
  7. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Iowa Code §335.30, Manufactured and modular homes (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Administrative Procedures for Floodplain Management and Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  10. Applications and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Code Plan Review (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Story County Planning and Development Department - Applications and Permits (storycountyiowa.gov)
  13. Applications and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  14. Story County Planning and Development Department (storycountyiowa.gov)
  15. Applications and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  16. Development Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  17. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 335 — County Zoning (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Land Evaluation Site Assessment, quoted and re-checked
  19. Development Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  20. Iowa Code §455B.172, Jurisdiction of department and local boards (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Getting Ready for Your New Septic System, quoted and re-checked
  23. Iowa Code §455B.172, Jurisdiction of department and local boards (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Camping, quoted and re-checked
  25. Access Management (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Story County in Iowa

52
County map
Story County highlighted among the Iowa counties · colored by Index score

How Story County scores

Seclusion40100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency29100% ev.
Admin Boringness61100% ev.
Durability70100% ev.
Property Autonomy51100% ev.
Carry Cost52100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$298kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$10,914Land / acre
36.3"Annual rain
13.2% of yrsSevere drought
3.9 / yr (+3.6)Mid-century 100°F days
16.8 daysMid-century dry spell
1.85" (+10%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.78×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,631Home insurance / yr
3.4% / yrInsurance growth
1.06%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
33,294People within 30 min
1,759,262People within 2 hr
89,654Radius comparison (15 mi)
172.2People / sq mi
0.2%Federal land
97.7%Land at 15% slope or less
29.2%Septic soil without severe limits
105,609 acWorkable land screen
6.9%Wooded land
55.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
48.5°FAvg temp

Scout Story County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Story County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Story County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Story County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    New construction and changes in use in unincorporated Story County.

    • A zoning permit is required for all new construction and any change in use of land or buildings.
    • The page describes permits for most structures rather than every possible structure.
    “The fact of the matter is that a Zoning Permit is required for all new construction and any Change In Use of any land or building.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Unincorporated Story County.

    • The cited county zoning statement applies to unincorporated Story County.
    • Incorporated municipalities may administer separate local regulations.
    “All of unincorporated Story County is zoned and permits are required for most structures (pole buildings, dwellings, fences, decks, signs, etc.).”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County-administered zoning in unincorporated Story County.

    • The county source does not establish zoning administration inside incorporated municipalities.
    “Story County has adopted zoning and subdivision regulations in one document, officially called the Story County Land Development Regulations.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and allowable uses in unincorporated Story County.

    • The county identifies Chapter 86 as District Requirements and states that the regulations describe zoning districts and allowable uses.
    “These regulations describe the zoning districts and types of uses allowable in each district.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Development subject to Story County zoning permits in unincorporated Story County.

    • Required setbacks from property lines must be met.
    • Exact setback distances vary by zoning district and use.
    “Even a portable structure requires a permit and required setbacks from property lines must be met.”
  • Camping on your landAllowed (with conditions)

    Designated Story County Conservation Board camping areas.

    • Camping is allowed from April 1 through October 31 at designated areas.
    • All campsites are closed from November 1 through March 31 except the remote campsite at Robison Wildlife Acres, which is available year-round.
    • Occupancy is limited to 14 consecutive days, followed by leaving the park for at least 48 hours.

    maximum occupancy duration: 14 consecutive days (campers must leave the park for a minimum of 48 hours)

    “Camping is allowed at designated areas from April 1 to October 31. All campsites are closed from November 1 to March 31, except for the remote campsite at Robison Wildlife Acres which is available year-round.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Domestic and commercial wastewater treatment in Story County.

    • Story County also identifies Iowa Administrative Code 567 Chapter 69 as an applicable regulation.
    “The Story County Environmental Health Department has jurisdiction over treatment of domestic and commercial wastewater from homes, small businesses, and non-residential outbuildings.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New septic installations in Story County.

    • The contractor must call the Environmental Health Department eight hours before final inspection.
    • The system may be covered only after the Environmental Health Department inspects the installation and documents major component locations.
    • A certificate of completion is sent to the property owner.
    “It is important to remember that the contractor MUST call the Environmental Health Department (515-382-7240) for a final inspection eight hours in advance.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction of new private water-supply or geothermal wells in Story County.

    • A well site review, construction permit, and site inspections are required.
    • The current permit application fee is $150, including $25 remitted to IDNR.
    • The site must satisfy applicable Iowa Administrative Code 567-49 setbacks.

    permit application fee: 150 USD ($25 of the total goes to IDNR)

    “The construction of a new private water supply or a geothermal well is an activity that is required to have a well site review, issuance of a construction permit, and site inspections when working within Story County.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    LESA exemption from the 35-acre residential minimum lot size in the A-1 Agricultural Zoning District.

    • The property must be evaluated through LESA.
    • The one-acre exception requires both SA score 0-172 and total LESA score 0-266.
    • Within the Ames Fringe Area Plan, the property must be designated Agricultural and Farm Service.

    site assessment score: 0-172 points (Both SA and total LESA conditions must be satisfied) · total LESA score: 0-266 points (Both SA and total LESA conditions must be satisfied) · exception minimum lot area: 1 net acre (A-1 single-family dwellings)

    “If the parcel is evaluated by LESA and identified as being low-to-moderate value agricultural land for both the site assessment (SA) score and the total LESA score, as defined in Table 86-1 (see below), a minimum lot size of one acre (net) for single-family dwellings may be permitted in the A-1 Agricultural District (when property is located within the Ames Fringe Area Plan, this exception only applies if the property is designated Agricultural and Farm Service).”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land-division requests in unincorporated Story County.

    • The county states that its Land Development Regulations identify various types of subdivision requests.
    “Story County has adopted zoning and subdivision regulations in one document, officially called the Story County Land Development Regulations.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in special flood hazard areas within unincorporated Story County.

    • The system applies within special flood hazard areas shown on effective FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated January 15, 2021.
    • The proposed activity must be safe from flooding and must not increase flood hazard to other areas.
    • Structural and non-structural floodplain development permits are issued.

    effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps date: 2021-01-15

    “Story County has established a floodplain development permitting system that includes regulating all floodplain development in the special flood hazard areas within unincorporated areas of Story County as illustrated on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps, dated 1/15/2021.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Story County zoning permit and fine schedules.

    • The county page identifies the fee schedule as effective August 18, 2026.
    • The page does not reproduce individual fee amounts.

    fee schedule effective date: 2026-08-18

    “You can find all fee and fine costs in the following schedules:”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning-permit applications in unincorporated Story County.

    • Commercial and residential zoning permits, floodplain permits, property research, change-in-use permits, sign permits, and special-events permits are listed as application types.
    • The listed permits use the county's online application portal.
    • Other applications require contacting Planning and Development by email or telephone.
    “To apply for the permits listed above, click here to be directed to our new online application portal.”

Iowa rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration.

    • The exemption is from being treated as a contractor for purposes of chapter 91C; it is not stated to waive building permits, building-code compliance, inspections, or certificates of occupancy.
    • The separate annual-earnings threshold is less than $2,000, but the own-property exemption is stated independently.
    • A contractor doing business in Iowa must register under chapter 91C unless an applicable statutory exclusion applies.
    “However, a person who earns less than two thousand dollars annually or who performs work or has work performed on the person’s own property is not a contractor for purposes of this chapter.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    The Iowa State Building Code, including the 2024 International Building Code adopted by reference with Iowa amendments, applies statewide to state-owned buildings and structures, qualifying state-funded construction, certain cities over 15,000 that lack a substantially equivalent local building code, and governmental subdivisions that accept the code by ordinance. Factory-built-structure provisions apply throughout Iowa.

    • In a governmental subdivision, the code generally applies only after the governing body enacts an ordinance accepting applicability and files a certified copy with the commissioner.
    • The local ordinance fixes the effective date, which must be no more than six months after adoption.
    • A governmental subdivision may withdraw after one year by ordinance, following the required public hearing and written notice; the withdrawal date must be at least 180 days after ordinance adoption, and previously issued permits are unaffected.
    • The state building code applies to state-owned buildings and structures and to newly constructed buildings and structures paid for in whole or in part with state-appropriated money but not wholly state-owned.
    • Cities with populations over 15,000 that lack a local building code substantially in accord with nationally recognized standards must enforce the state building code.
    • Factory-built-structure provisions apply throughout the state; an approved factory-built structure is deemed compliant with building regulations applicable to its manufacture and installation and is exempt from other state or local building regulations, subject to the statutory exceptions concerning professional engineering and architecture and manufactured homes.
    • The current administrative rule adopts the 2024 International Building Code by reference with amendments; detached one- and two-family dwellings, certain townhouses not more than three stories, and their accessory structures instead comply with the amended International Residential Code.

    adopted model building code: 2024 International Building Code (Adopted by reference with Iowa amendments.) · current administrative-rule effective date: 2025-09-10 (Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 481.301 source identifies ARC 9474C as effective September 10, 2025.) · local ordinance effective-date limit: <= 6 months after adoption · local withdrawal waiting period: >= 1 year after code became applicable (A governmental subdivision may withdraw only after this period has elapsed.) · withdrawal effective-date minimum: >= 180 days after ordinance adoption (Previously issued permits remain unaffected.)

    “The state building code shall be applicable: [...] In each governmental subdivision where the governing body has enacted an ordinance accepting the application of the code.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Buildings and structures subject to Iowa Code section 103A.10A, including newly constructed state-owned buildings, state-board-of-regents buildings, and certain state-funded buildings.

    • Newly constructed state-owned buildings and structures subject to the state building code are subject to plan review and inspection, excluding renovations and repairs except as provided by statute.
    • Newly constructed buildings owned by the state board of regents are subject to plan review and inspection, excluding renovations and repairs except as provided by statute.
    • State-funded buildings not wholly owned by the state are subject to state plan review and inspection when the governmental subdivision has not adopted the listed codes or does not perform inspections; otherwise they must comply with the local codes and inspections.
    • For ordinary privately owned construction, inspection administration is governed by the applicable local law or ordinance.
    “All newly constructed buildings or structures subject to the state building code, including any addition, but excluding any renovation or repair of such a building or structure, owned by the state or an agency of the state, except as provided in subsection 2, shall be subject to a plan review and inspection by the commissioner or an independent building inspector appointed by the commissioner.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy or use for buildings subject to Iowa's State Building Code and certificates approving specified buildings, facilities, or installations for licensure.

    • A local building department issues certificates of occupancy or use when required by ordinance.
    • When issued for a building constructed under the state building code, the certificate must certify conformity with the code and is in the form prescribed by the governing body of the governmental subdivision.
    • For facilities governed by Iowa Administrative Code chapter 481.280, if a certificate of occupancy is required for use, it will not be issued until the inspection fee is paid.
    • Chapter 481.280.5 applies to a certificate approving a building, facility, or installation for occupancy upon request from an owner or owner's agency when applicable rules are satisfied and all fees are paid.
    • The state sources do not require a certificate of occupancy for every building statewide.

    additional reinspection fee: 125 USD (Applies for each additional reinspection after the initial reinspection when original deficiencies remain uncorrected.)

    “Issue certificates of occupancy or use, permits, licenses, and other documents in connection with the construction of buildings or structures as may be required by ordinance. (1) A certificate of occupancy or use for a building or structure constructed in accordance with the provisions of the state building code shall certify that the building or structure conforms to the requirements of the code. The certificate shall be in the form the governing body of the governmental subdivision prescribes.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Placement and residential occupancy of manufactured homes under county zoning statewide in Iowa

    • A county may not disallow the proposed residential structure solely because it is a manufactured home.
    • The home must be located and installed under the same standards applicable to a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot, including permanent foundation, setback, and minimum square footage standards.
    • The home must be assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling.
    • A county may not require an incompatible perimeter foundation system and may not require more than one permanent foundation system.
    • Outside a manufactured home community or mobile home park, requirements may ensure visual compatibility of the permanent foundation system with surrounding residential structures.
    • Recorded restrictive covenants are not abrogated.
    • Counties may regulate transportation, water, sewerage, and other land development; the statute also bars width standards greater than twenty-four feet and certain design standards when federal standards are met.

    maximum mandated width standard: <= 24 feet (if the housing otherwise complies with 42 U.S.C. §5403)

    “A county shall not adopt or enforce zoning regulations or other ordinances which disallow the plans and specifications of a proposed residential structure solely because the proposed structure is a manufactured home. However, a zoning ordinance or regulation shall require that a manufactured home be located and installed according to the same standards, including but not limited to a permanent foundation system, set-back, and minimum square footage, which would apply to a site-built, single family dwelling on the same lot, and shall require that the home is assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    City regulation of accessory dwelling units statewide in Iowa, within a zoning district where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use

    • At least one accessory dwelling unit must be allowed on the same lot as a single-family residence.
    • The accessory dwelling unit must comply with applicable building regulations under chapter 103A.
    • The unit may not exceed 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the size of the single-family residence, whichever is larger; unfinished basements are excluded from the size calculation.
    • Historic-building-code restrictions, deed restrictions, and common-interest-community rules may limit or prohibit construction or use.
    • A manufactured or mobile home used as the accessory dwelling unit must be converted to real property by placement on a permanent foundation and assessed for real-estate taxes under section 435.26.
    • A historic-preservation area may regulate the unit to the extent the city or commission determines it incongruous and records its reasons.
    • Effective July 1, 2026.

    maximum accessory dwelling unit size: 1,000 square feet or 50% of the single-family residence, whichever is larger (unfinished basements excluded from the size calculation)

    “A city shall allow a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single family residence within a zoning district where a single family residence is an allowed principal use, in accordance with the following conditions:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — County regulation of accessory dwelling units statewide in Iowa, within a zoning district where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use
      “A county shall allow a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single family residence within a zoning district where a single family residence is an allowed principal use, in accordance with the following conditions:”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Iowa counties may adopt zoning ordinances for land and structures within the county but outside the corporate limits of any city.

    • Chapter 335 applies to any Iowa county at the option of its board of supervisors.
    • The zoning power is subject to Iowa Code section 335.2: ordinances generally do not apply to agricultural land, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings, or other structures primarily adapted for agricultural purposes while so used, except that ordinances may apply to structures, buildings, dams, obstructions, deposits, or excavations in or on river or stream floodplains.
    • A county may not require an application, approval, or fee for an ordinance to be deemed inapplicable to qualifying agricultural land or structures.
    • A county may not regulate, restrict, or prohibit the location of permanent buildings or temporary structures used for consumer-fireworks sales pursuant to section 10A.519 in locations zoned commercial or industrial.
    • The board of supervisors may divide the county into zoning districts, and regulations may differ among districts.
    • Regulations and restrictions require public-hearing and notice procedures under sections 335.6 and 331.305; district boundaries must identify the affected township and section and, if possible, streets or roads.
    • Energy-conservation and solar-access objectives do not require zoning in a county that did not have zoning before July 1, 1981.
    “applicable to any county [...] at the option of the board of supervisors [...] outside of the corporate limits of any city.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Story County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Story County.
  • Building height — Building height in Story County.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land in Story County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Story County.
3 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Living off-grid in Story County, Iowa

Is Story County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Story County scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (36.3″/yr rainfall) and about 33,294 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Story County, Iowa?

Story County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Story County Environmental Health Department. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Story County, Iowa?

Land in Story County runs about $10,914 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Story County?

Story County gets about 36.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 13.2% of years.

How remote is Story County?

A representative private-land location has about 33,294 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,759,262 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Story County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Story compares in Iowa

Compare side-by-side →See all 99 Iowa counties ranked →