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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for 1) Union County unincorporated area
Septic construction requires a permit; floodplain development requires a permit before any man-made change in the floodplain; county does not publish a general building permit program for unincorporated areas
Thin data for county general building work. Published county materials only clearly identify septic, well, and floodplain regulated work
Floodplain ordinance does not describe a simple exempt-work list on the pages reviewed
- Exempt Thin data for county general building work. Published county materials only clearly identify septic, well, and floodplain regulated work
- Exempt Floodplain ordinance does not describe a simple exempt-work list on the pages reviewed
Required documents
- Septic application, site and soil analysis or perc test, and engineer design if required; floodplain application must include work description, site description, location and dimensions of buildings/additions, intended use, base flood elevation, lowest floor elevation, estimated cost for improvements/rebuilds, and other information the administrator deems necessary
- Building code
- No countywide general building code found for unincorporated areas; floodplain ordinance references state and federal floodplain standards and Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 69 for onsite wastewater systems
- Permit validity
- Not published for county septic permits; floodplain permit validity/expiration not published
- Owner-builder
- Owner can self-install septic only if they sign the ownership conditions, accept liability, follow state code and local policy, pay extra inspection fees if needed, expose all system parts for inspection, and show proof of at least 6 credit hours in onsite wastewater systems within the last 12 months before construction begins
- Contractor requirements
- Septic contractors must be registered with Union County Environmental Health; the county maintains a contractor registration form
§ 03
Fee schedule
1) Union County unincorporated area building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Septic construction permit $200
02
Plan check fee
Not published
03
Reinspection fee
Additional septic inspections are $50 each beyond the two included inspections; floodplain penalty/reinspection fees not published
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Septic permit states the health office must be notified 24 hours in advance for final inspection (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Office hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, hours may vary
Typical sequence: Soil analysis or perc test, site evaluation, permit issuance, pre-construction meeting if needed, construction, inspection, approval, and as-built drawing/letter
Extra inspection charge is $50 each if more than the two included inspections are needed
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about 1) Union County unincorporated area permits
01 Do I need a building permit in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA? ▸
Septic construction requires a permit; floodplain development requires a permit before any man-made change in the floodplain; county does not publish a general building permit program for unincorporated areas
02 How much does a building permit cost in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA? ▸
Building permit fees in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Septic construction permit $200. Plan check fee: Not published.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA? ▸
Building permit processing times in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA typically run Septic guide and floodplain ordinance say permit or review occurs after submission and review within a reasonable time; no published service level found. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA. The following work is generally exempt: Thin data for county general building work. Published county materials only clearly identify septic, well, and floodplain regulated work; Floodplain ordinance does not describe a simple exempt-work list on the pages reviewed. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in 1) Union County unincorporated area, IA via: Septic permit states the health office must be notified 24 hours in advance for final inspection.
last verified April 2026
entry id permits/iowa/union/1-union-county-unincorporated-area
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Union County Environmental Health before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.