How much does a building permit cost in Davenport, IA?

The minimum permit fee is $15 for electric, plumbing, and mechanical permit valuations of $1,000 and less. Fees are calculated as: Electric/plumbing/mechanical schedule is valuation-based: $15 up to $1,000; $15 plus 1% over $1,000 up to $300,000; then $3,005 plus 0.5% over $300,000. Plan check fee: Additional plan review due to plan changes or additions is $77 per hour.

How do I apply for a building permit in Davenport, IA?

1. Determine the project path using Davenport's Building and Land Development review process and permit requirement pages. 2. Submit plans via E-Plan for large or site-plan-driven projects, or submit paper/electronic permit forms to the Building Department at Public Works for simpler projects. 3. Staff reviews plans, requests corrections if needed, and identifies required permits, inspections, and related approvals. 4. Pay fees at submission for paper workflow or as invoiced in the electronic system. 5. Obtain permit, complete inspections, and secure final approval or certificate of occupancy before use where required.

What work is exempt from building permits in Davenport, IA?

The following work is generally exempt: Painting, papering, carpet, resilient flooring, and similar finish work; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 and Group U occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches; Prefabricated accessory pools less than 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons, subject to enclosure rules.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Davenport, IA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Call for inspections as work is completed; E-Plan and permit workflow also drive inspection routing.

City Building Permits

Davenport, IA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Davenport, Iowa. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Iowa Scott County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

City of Davenport permits and inspections within Davenport city limits.

Department: Development and Neighborhood Services, Building and Land Development / Building Department
Address: Building counter at Davenport Public Works Center, 1200 E 46th St, Davenport, IA 52807; city administrative contact 226 W 4th St, Davenport, IA 52801
Phone: 563-326-7745 for Building Department; main city line 563-326-7711
Email: webmaster@davenportiowa.com
Website: https://www.davenportiowa.com/our_community/building_land_development

Online Permit Portal

Open E-Plan Electronic Plan Review Portal

Platform: E-Plan Electronic Plan Review Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine the project path using Davenport's Building and Land Development review process and permit requirement pages.
Submit plans via E-Plan for large or site-plan-driven projects, or submit paper/electronic permit forms to the Building Department at Public Works for simpler projects.
Staff reviews plans, requests corrections if needed, and identifies required permits, inspections, and related approvals.
Pay fees at submission for paper workflow or as invoiced in the electronic system.
Obtain permit, complete inspections, and secure final approval or certificate of occupancy before use where required.

Typical processing time: No universal turnaround posted on the reviewed pages; homeowner permits can often be issued at submission

Source: Development and Neighborhood Services, Building and Land Development / Building Department

General Requirements

Davenport states permits are generally required for structural work and for many exterior improvements, utilities, right-of-way work, retaining walls over 48 inches, and other listed building and land development activity

Required Documents

Completed permit application, plans, and associated documents
E-Plan requires unsecured PDF files and separate vector-based drawing PDFs

Permit validity: Not clearly posted on the reviewed public pages
Building code: City enforces Davenport Municipal Code and related technical codes; current edition summary was not fully listed on the reviewed pages
Owner-builder: Property owners with legal title to a single-family dwelling may do their own new construction, remodeling, or renovation without a contractor license, but this does not apply to mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work
Contractor requirements: Generally, building, specialty, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical work must be performed by a licensed and bonded contractor in Davenport

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $15 for electric, plumbing, and mechanical permit valuations of $1,000 and less
Plan check fee: Additional plan review due to plan changes or additions is $77 per hour
Permit fee formula: Electric/plumbing/mechanical schedule is valuation-based: $15 up to $1,000; $15 plus 1% over $1,000 up to $300,000; then $3,005 plus 0.5% over $300,000
Reinspection fee: Reinspection fee $77; inspections outside normal hours $77 per hour with two-hour minimum
Payment note: Review process page says city accepts cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at submission for paper workflow

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Painting, papering, carpet, resilient flooring, and similar finish work
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 and Group U occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches
Prefabricated accessory pools less than 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons, subject to enclosure rules

Inspections

How to Schedule

Call for inspections as work is completed; E-Plan and permit workflow also drive inspection routing (other)

Inspection hours: Building counter Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays

Typical inspection sequence: Project specific; city review materials state permits proceed to required inspections and then final approval or certificate of occupancy

Reinspection fee is published on the trade fee schedule

Additional Resources

Building code: City enforces Davenport Municipal Code and related technical codes; current edition summary was not fully listed on the reviewed pages
Zoning information: View zoning info
License lookup guide: Iowa Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Iowa Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Iowa hub: Iowa Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Development and Neighborhood Services, Building and Land Development / Building Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Davenport Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Davenport, IA?: Davenport states permits are generally required for structural work and for many exterior improvements, utilities, right-of-way work, retaining walls over 48 inches, and other listed building and land development activity
How much does a building permit cost in Davenport, IA?: The minimum permit fee is $15 for electric, plumbing, and mechanical permit valuations of $1,000 and less. Fees are calculated as: Electric/plumbing/mechanical schedule is valuation-based: $15 up to $1,000; $15 plus 1% over $1,000 up to $300,000; then $3,005 plus 0.5% over $300,000. Plan check fee: Additional plan review due to plan changes or additions is $77 per hour.
How do I apply for a building permit in Davenport, IA?: 1. Determine the project path using Davenport's Building and Land Development review process and permit requirement pages. 2. Submit plans via E-Plan for large or site-plan-driven projects, or submit paper/electronic permit forms to the Building Department at Public Works for simpler projects. 3. Staff reviews plans, requests corrections if needed, and identifies required permits, inspections, and related approvals. 4. Pay fees at submission for paper workflow or as invoiced in the electronic system. 5. Obtain permit, complete inspections, and secure final approval or certificate of occupancy before use where required.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Davenport, IA?: Typical processing time is No universal turnaround posted on the reviewed pages; homeowner permits can often be issued at submission.
What work is exempt from building permits in Davenport, IA?: The following work is generally exempt: Painting, papering, carpet, resilient flooring, and similar finish work; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 and Group U occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches; Prefabricated accessory pools less than 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons, subject to enclosure rules.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Davenport, IA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Call for inspections as work is completed; E-Plan and permit workflow also drive inspection routing.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.