City Building Permits
Story City, IA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Story City, Iowa. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Covers the incorporated City of Story City.
- Department
- City of Story City
- Address
- 504 Broad St., Story City, IA
- Phone
- 515-733-2121
Online Permit Portal
Platform: WordPress • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Review the permit instructions on the Story City Forms page and choose the correct permit form.
- Submit the appropriate permit form to City Hall, including setbacks and drawings.
- City Hall contacts the applicant when the permit is approved by the city administrator.
- Pay fees at City Hall or on the website, then complete the work.
- Contact Safe Building when the project is complete for final inspection; City Hall then sends the final inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy for new builds.
Typical processing time: Not publicly posted on the reviewed city page.
Source: City of Story City
General Requirements
Story City's posted Safe Building procedure says all new construction, remodels, additions, enlargements, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, and alterations require a building permit, as do decks, fences, signs, and sheds. Trade permits are required for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work.
Required Documents
- Signed permit application
- Building plans
- Site plan with setbacks and existing/proposed structures
- Work description
- Energy compliance information
- Trade permits where needed
- Permit validity
- Permit is valid for 1 year and work must commence within 180 days from issuance under the reviewed Safe Building procedure.
- Building code
- Safe Building procedure requires compliance with applicable building code and city ordinances; energy code compliance information is required.
- Owner-builder
- Not separately summarized on the reviewed Story City materials.
- Contractor requirements
- Not separately summarized on the reviewed Story City materials; trade permits route through Safe Building.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Not publicly summarized on the reviewed Story City page
- Plan check fee
- Not publicly summarized on the reviewed Story City page
- Permit fee formula
- Not publicly summarized on the reviewed Story City page
- Reinspection fee
- Safe Building procedure says a trip charge may be assessed if the site is not ready and a reinspection is required
- Payment note
- City says fees may be paid at City Hall or on the website
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Story City to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Contact Safe Building (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- One business day notice is required on all inspections; inspections are completed by the end of the next business day
Typical inspection sequence: Footing, foundation, foundation insulation, sewer/water/storm, groundwork plumbing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, framing, insulation, sidewalk/approach, and final
Additional Resources
- Building code: Safe Building procedure requires compliance with applicable building code and city ordinances; energy code compliance information is required.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Permit Application and Inspection Procedure
- 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 City of Story City before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Story City Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Story City, IA?
- Story City's posted Safe Building procedure says all new construction, remodels, additions, enlargements, repair, moving, removal, conversion, demolition, and alterations require a building permit, as do decks, fences, signs, and sheds. Trade permits are required for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Story City, IA?
- The minimum permit fee is Not publicly summarized on the reviewed Story City page. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly summarized on the reviewed Story City page. Plan check fee: Not publicly summarized on the reviewed Story City page.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Story City, IA?
- 1. Review the permit instructions on the Story City Forms page and choose the correct permit form. 2. Submit the appropriate permit form to City Hall, including setbacks and drawings. 3. City Hall contacts the applicant when the permit is approved by the city administrator. 4. Pay fees at City Hall or on the website, then complete the work. 5. Contact Safe Building when the project is complete for final inspection; City Hall then sends the final inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy for new builds.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Story City, IA?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly posted on the reviewed city page..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Story City, IA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Contact Safe Building. One business day notice is required on all inspections; inspections are completed by the end of the next business day.
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