Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Zearing, Iowa

Rules another office applies inside Zearing

Zearing 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 onsite sewage disposal (septic) systems in Story County, including land inside Zearing city limits, as the county ordinance text is not limited to unincorporated areas

  • Applies to systems serving four or fewer dwelling units or the equivalent of less than 16 individuals on a continuing basis (Chapter 65.02).
  • Whether Zearing city operates public sewer that would displace septic use inside city limits was not verified; the city's own sewer rules were not located.
  • Chapter 65.04 names the county environmental health department as the enforcing agency.

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

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction or reconstruction of a private sewage disposal system in Story County, which applies inside Zearing city limits only where septic is used rather than public sewer

  • Permit is needed for new construction with wastewater generation, existing systems with increased loading, and replacement or enlargement of the secondary system (Chapter 65.08).
  • Repair permit is separate; tank or pump chamber replacement and distribution box replacement need a repair permit (Chapter 65.09).
  • Emergency repair may start without a permit if reported to EH by 12:00 noon of the next county administration business day (Chapter 65.18).
  • Permit fee is set by the board of health and paid to the Story County Treasurer; the amount is not stated in the chapter (Chapter 65.10).
  • A construction permit expires one calendar year from its issue date (Chapter 65.16).
  • Work must follow 567 IAC 69 as adopted by reference (Chapter 65.03), and a site evaluation is required before a permit issues (Chapter 65.11).
  • Installers must be licensed by EH and certified as CIOWTS (Chapter 65.21).

  “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 sewage disposal systems in Story County, including inside Zearing city limits where septic is used

  • Inspection applies to newly constructed or reconstructed systems (Chapter 65.20).
  • Owner or contractor must notify EH at least eight working hours before the completed system is available for final inspection (Chapter 65.19).
  • A licensed Story County private sewage disposal contractor must be on site during final inspection (Chapter 65.21).

  “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 Zearing or Story County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits for new residential construction inside Zearing city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits or licensing inside Zearing city limits
• Building code adopted — Building code applicable to new construction inside Zearing city limits
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Zearing city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new dwellings inside Zearing 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.