Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Story City, Iowa
Story City is a city in Story County, Iowa. Story City adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Story City’s rules apply, not the county’s. 5 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 23, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Story County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Story City
Story City’s own rules
Building permitRequired
New construction, remodels, additions, repairs, moving, demolition and alterations inside Story City city limits.
Decks, fences, signs and sheds also need a building permit.
A trade permit is required for all plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work.
Work must not commence until all associated fees are paid and an approved building permit issued.
A preconstruction conference with the building official may be required before permit issuance.
Contractors must register with the city and carry $500,000 public liability insurance before commencing work (per the city's contractor registration form).
permit validity: 1 year
“all new construction, remodels, additions, enlargements, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, and alterations require a building permit, as well as decks, fences, signs, and sheds.”
InspectionsRequired
Permitted work inside Story City city limits; inspections are scheduled with the city's contracted inspection agency, Safe Building.
Work must not be completed beyond the point indicated in each inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building inspector.
Required inspections include footing, insulation, sewer/water/storm, groundwork plumbing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, framing, insulation, sidewalk/approach and final.
Inspections are completed by the end of the next business day after notice.
inspection notice: >= 1 business day
“one business day notice is required on all inspections.”
Certificate of occupancyRequired
Buildings and structures inside Story City city limits that receive a building permit.
Final inspection step: no structure may be occupied until a certificate of occupancy is issued.
“no structure may be occupied until a certificate of occupancy is issued.”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Story City city limits; the city's building permit form asks for the zoning district and yard setbacks on each project.
Zoning ordinance text was not opened in this run; the American Legal Publishing code table of contents did not load, so district rules are unverified.
“zoning district: front yard setback: side yard setbacks: rear yard setback: off-street parking:”
Permit processPartial
Building permit application process inside Story City city limits.
Application needs a completed form, scalable building plans (electronic files accepted), a site plan with property lines and setbacks, a work description, IECC energy compliance information, and trade permits for electrical, mechanical or plumbing work.
A permit is valid for 1 year and work must commence within 180 days from date of issuance.
A pre-construction conference may be required; permit issues once all requirements are met.
Fee schedule and building-code edition are not in the procedure.
permit validity: 1 year · work commencement deadline: <= 180 days
“when all requirements have been met, a permit will be issued.”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Story City or Story County directly.
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-occupant construction inside Story City city limits
Building code adopted — Inside Story City city limits
Zoning districts — Zoning district map and list for Story City city limits
Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential district inside Story City city limits (district name not verified)
Minimum lot size — Main single-family residential district inside Story City city limits (district name not verified)
20 more unanswered
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Who permits septic
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Subdividing land
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain
Short-term rentals
Permit fees
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.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Story City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Story County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Story City means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
