Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Anthon, Iowa

Anthon’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New homes, additions, patios, decks, porches, garages, accessory buildings, fences, and work that changes the outside dimensions of a building inside Anthon city.

  • Interior remodeling, roofing, window replacement, and siding do not need a permit (section 155.03).
  • Permit fees are set in section 155.05, which was not read.
  • A permit becomes void if work is not started within 60 days or is suspended or abandoned for 120 days (section 155.15); extensions need a three-fourths council vote.

  “no building or other structure shall be erected or altered within the city without first receiving a permit. a permit is required for work such as new homes, additions, patios, decks, porches, garages, accessory buildings, fences, or for work that would change the outside dimensions of an existing building.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  All land inside the corporate limits of Anthon city, except the commercial area designated on the city's official restricted residence district map (Code of Ordinances ch. 155, Building and Land Use Regulations).

  • The commercial area is designated on the official restricted residence district map on file with the city clerk; that map is not reproduced in the code.
  • Amendments to that map are listed in an editor's note as adopted ordinances 46, 49 and 167 that are saved from repeal but not codified in the code.

  “all that area lying within the corporate limits of the city except the commercial area as designated on the official restricted residence district map.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning district map for Anthon city (restricted residence district and designated commercial area).

  • The code text names one restricted residence district; the commercial area boundary is only on the official map held by the clerk, which was not located online.
  • Map amendments are saved from repeal but not codified in the code text.

  “the following ordinances have been adopted amending the official restricted residence district map of the city and have not been codified herein, but are specifically saved from repeal and are in full force and effect.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Main residential district (Anthon city restricted residence district): front yard.

  • Exceptions for a building erected between existing buildings within 100 feet on both sides, and for one-side infill within the same block (section 155.20 items 1 and 2).
  • Side yard (155.21) and rear yard (155.22) limits were not read; only front yard is confirmed here.

  front yard minimum: >= 25 feet (except the existing-building exceptions in section 155.20(1)-(2))

  “within the restricted residence district there shall be a front yard of not less than 25 feet (measured from the front lot line), except as follows:”

• Off-grid sanitationProhibited

  Constructing or maintaining any sewage disposal facility inside Anthon city outside an approved on-site system.

  • Except as otherwise provided in chapter 98.
  • Where no public sanitary sewer is available, every building must have an approved on-site system (section 98.02).

  “except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful to construct or maintain any on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications in Anthon city.

  • The mayor is the building official and administers chapter 155 (section 155.02).
  • Applications must be written and filed with the building official; the code lists the required contents, which are only partly read (section 155.04).
  • Council action, appeal and denial procedures are in sections 155.09-155.10, which were not read.
  • Permit void and extension rules are in section 155.15.

  “application shall be made in writing, filed with the building official and contain the following information:”

Rules another office applies inside Anthon

Anthon 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 septicMixed (with conditions)

  On-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems on land inside Anthon city where no public sanitary sewer is available.

  • The city code sets no separate septic standards. It adopts Iowa Administrative Code 567, chapter 69 and the county board of health's additional requirements.
  • The permit is issued by the county board of health (section 98.04).

  “the type, capacity, location, and layout of a private on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system shall comply with the specifications and requirements set forth by the iowa administrative code 567, chapter 69, and with such additional requirements as are prescribed by the regulations of the county board of health.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing or altering an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system on land inside Anthon city.

  • Permit comes from the county board of health, not the city.
  • Applies where public sanitary sewer is not available (sections 98.02 and 98.04).

  “no person shall install or alter an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system without first obtaining a permit from the county board of health.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for work inside Anthon city.
• Building code adopted — Adoption of a state or model building code by Anthon city.
• Inspections — Building inspections for new construction inside Anthon city.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new dwelling inside Anthon city.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the Anthon city restricted residence district.

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.