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§ IA Scott County
County building permits

Unincorporated Scott County

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

Min. permit fee
$50.00
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Scott County Planning and Development

Street address
600 W. 4th St., Davenport, IA 52801-1003
Phone
563-326-8643
Email
planning@scottcountyiowa.gov
Coverage
Issues building permits and inspections for unincorporated Scott County, including Park View.
Online portal
Scott County Planning and Development Online Payment
Scott County Planning and Development Online Payment
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Scott County

Required for decks/patio covers, fireplaces, garages/pole buildings, HVAC supply or exhaust work, pools 24 inches or deeper, sheds over 120 square feet, fences over 6 feet, room additions, dormers/wall openings, plumbing/heating/electrical changes, siding, load-bearing wall changes, garage conversions, retaining walls over 4 feet, roofing, major structural repairs, porches, masonry/concrete repair, and demolition

Agriculturally exempt farmer work
Minor repairs and replacements
Small accessory structures under 120 square feet
  • Exempt Agriculturally exempt farmer work
  • Exempt Minor repairs and replacements
  • Exempt Small accessory structures under 120 square feet
Required documents
  • Plot plan, legal description, owner and builder names and contact info, two sets of building plans, engineered plans if required, and ResCheck for houses or substantial improvements
Building code
2021 IBC, IRC, IPMC, and ISPSC; 2015 IECC; 2020 NEC; 2021 IMC; and 2021 UPC, as amended by Scott County Code Chapter 5
Permit validity
Not clearly posted on the main county pages reviewed
Owner-builder
Owner information must be listed; county pages do not separately publish an owner-builder exception summary
Contractor requirements
State electrical license required for electrical contractors; trade permit forms require contractor information
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 3-5 days for most new houses/additions; 7-10 days for commercial construction

  1. 01
    Confirm zoning, floodplain, and site constraints with Scott County Planning and Development before construction.
  2. 02
    Submit the applicable county permit application with plot plan, legal description, owner and builder contact information, and plans; new homes and additions also require review fee and ResCheck.
  3. 03
    County reviews plans and may request engineered plans or corrections.
  4. 04
    Pay the invoiced permit fee; permit is issued only after approval and payment.
  5. 05
    Call 563-326-8643 for inspections through the required construction stages and obtain final approval before occupancy where applicable.

Typical processing time: 3-5 days for most new houses/additions; 7-10 days for commercial construction

Source: Scott County Planning and Development ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Scott County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50.00
02
Plan check fee
$100 review fee for new house/addition submittals, credited toward permit fee; $500 review fee noted for new commercial submittals on LeClaire county-routed page
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based; $50 for $1-$1,000, then stepped schedule, with $1,016 for first $100,000 plus $7 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000, then $5 per additional $1,000 up to $1,000,000, then $4 per additional $1,000 over $1,000,000
04
Reinspection fee
Not separately posted on the county fee PDF reviewed

County says only pay online after invoice; credit cards carry 2.25% service fee online and at counter, debit card at counter is $2.00, checks have no fee

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 563-326-8643 (phone)
Inspection hours
Office hours 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Typical sequence: Staking, footing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, framing, and final as applicable by project type

Not specifically posted on the main county pages reviewed

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Scott County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, IA? ▸
Required for decks/patio covers, fireplaces, garages/pole buildings, HVAC supply or exhaust work, pools 24 inches or deeper, sheds over 120 square feet, fences over 6 feet, room additions, dormers/wall openings, plumbing/heating/electrical changes, siding, load-bearing wall changes, garage conversions, retaining walls over 4 feet, roofing, major structural repairs, porches, masonry/concrete repair, and demolition
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Scott County, IA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Scott County, IA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based; $50 for $1-$1,000, then stepped schedule, with $1,016 for first $100,000 plus $7 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000, then $5 per additional $1,000 up to $1,000,000, then $4 per additional $1,000 over $1,000,000. Plan check fee: $100 review fee for new house/addition submittals, credited toward permit fee; $500 review fee noted for new commercial submittals on LeClaire county-routed page.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, IA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, IA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning, floodplain, and site constraints with Scott County Planning and Development before construction. 2. Submit the applicable county permit application with plot plan, legal description, owner and builder contact information, and plans; new homes and additions also require review fee and ResCheck. 3. County reviews plans and may request engineered plans or corrections. 4. Pay the invoiced permit fee; permit is issued only after approval and payment. 5. Call 563-326-8643 for inspections through the required construction stages and obtain final approval before occupancy where applicable.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Scott County, IA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Scott County, IA typically run 3-5 days for most new houses/additions; 7-10 days for commercial construction. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Scott County, IA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Scott County, IA. The following work is generally exempt: Agriculturally exempt farmer work; Minor repairs and replacements; Small accessory structures under 120 square feet. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Scott County, IA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Scott County, IA via: 563-326-8643.
last verified April 2026 source Scott County Planning and Development ↗ entry id permits/iowa/scott/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Scott County Planning and Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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