Zoning, building permits and septic rules in McCallsburg, Iowa

Rules another office applies inside McCallsburg

McCallsburg 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 septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private septic (onsite wastewater) systems on land inside McCallsburg city, Iowa, under the Story County ordinance that applies countywide. This is the county rule, not a McCallsburg city ordinance. The city's own code was not found.

  • Story County Environmental Health (EH) is the designated enforcement agency under Chapter 65.
  • Chapter 65 applies only to systems serving four or fewer dwelling units, or the equivalent of fewer than 16 individuals on a continuing basis.
  • Whether McCallsburg city operates a public sewer that replaces septic for a given parcel was not verified.

  “the story county environmental health department (eh) is the designated agency to interpret, monitor and enforce the rules contained in this chapter.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New or reconstructed private septic systems on land inside McCallsburg city, Iowa, under the Story County ordinance that applies countywide.

  • Permit application must go to Story County EH on forms it provides.
  • Under section 65.08, a construction permit application is needed for new construction with wastewater generation, for an existing system with increased wastewater loading, and for replacement or enlargement of the secondary system.
  • A construction permit expires one calendar year from its date of issuance (section 65.16).
  • Chapter 65 applies only to systems serving four or fewer dwelling units, or the equivalent of fewer than 16 individuals on a continuing basis.
  • Fees are set by the board of health (section 65.10); no dollar amount was found in the chapter text.

  “any person, firm, or corporation wishing to construct or reconstruct a private sewage disposal system in story county shall submit an application for a construction permit to the eh.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Newly constructed or reconstructed private septic systems on land inside McCallsburg city, Iowa, under the Story County ordinance that applies countywide.

  • The secondary system must stay uncovered until EH inspects it (section 65.20).
  • The licensed contractor must make sure installation meets 567 IAC 69 (section 65.20).
  • Construction permits and installers are covered by sections 65.13 and 65.21 of the same chapter.

  “the secondary system shall remain uncovered until inspected by eh.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Whether a new home inside McCallsburg city needs a building permit
• Owner-builder exemption — Whether an owner-builder exemption applies inside McCallsburg city
• Building code adopted — Whether McCallsburg city adopts a building code
• Inspections — Whether building inspections are required for work inside McCallsburg city
• Certificate of occupancy — Whether a certificate of occupancy is required inside McCallsburg 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.