On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Davenport
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
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
- Exempt Painting, papering, carpet, resilient flooring, and similar finish work
- Exempt Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 and Group U occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches
- Exempt Prefabricated accessory pools less than 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons, subject to enclosure rules
Required documents
- Completed permit application, plans, and associated documents
- E-Plan requires unsecured PDF files and separate vector-based drawing PDFs
- Building code
- City enforces Davenport Municipal Code and related technical codes; current edition summary was not fully listed on the reviewed pages
- Permit validity
- Not clearly posted on the reviewed public 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
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No universal turnaround posted on the reviewed pages; homeowner permits can often be issued at submission
- 01 Determine the project path using Davenport's Building and Land Development review process and permit requirement pages.
- 02 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.
- 03 Staff reviews plans, requests corrections if needed, and identifies required permits, inspections, and related approvals.
- 04 Pay fees at submission for paper workflow or as invoiced in the electronic system.
- 05 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Davenport building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$15 for electric, plumbing, and mechanical permit valuations of $1,000 and less
02
Plan check fee
Additional plan review due to plan changes or additions is $77 per hour
03
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
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection fee $77; inspections outside normal hours $77 per hour with two-hour minimum
Review process page says city accepts cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at submission for paper workflow
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Davenport permits
01 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
02 How much does a building permit cost in Davenport, IA? ▸
Building permit fees in Davenport, IA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Davenport, IA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Davenport, IA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Davenport, IA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Davenport, IA typically run No universal turnaround posted on the reviewed pages; homeowner permits can often be issued at submission. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Davenport, IA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Davenport, IA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Davenport, IA via: Call for inspections as work is completed; E-Plan and permit workflow also drive inspection routing.
last verified April 2026
source Development and Neighborhood Services, Building and Land Development / Building Department ↗
entry id permits/iowa/scott/davenport
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Development and Neighborhood Services, Building and Land Development / Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.