Johnson County, IA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

27(A) of the Unified Development Ordinance requires anyone starting construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair or demolition of a building or structure in unincorporated Johnson County to obtain a building permit from the Zoning Administrator in writing before work begins. The same permit type covers excavation for a building or structure, a change in use or occupancy classification, and the erection, installation, alteration, removal, conversion or replacement of any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, all cross-referenced to Chapter 8:6, the Johnson County Building Code, which adopts the 2021 International Building and Residential Codes as amended.

2 excuses work such as detached accessory sheds of 200 square feet or less, fences under seven feet, retaining walls under four feet, and finish work like painting or carpeting, but exemption from a permit never excuses the underlying work from complying with the code. A permit is still required even where a structure is being rebuilt after fire, wind, flood or age-related damage. Permit fees are set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors and are based on the Building Official's valuation of the total construction work; projects valued over $15,000 also owe a separate plan review fee before the permit issues.

Anyone who starts work before obtaining the required permit owes a fee equal to the permit fee that would otherwise apply, collected whether or not a permit is ultimately issued, and paying that fee does not excuse compliance with the rest of the code. Building permits and certificates of occupancy remain revocable for as long as the project is out of compliance, and an appeal of a Building Official decision goes to the Board of Appeals for a fee set by the Board of Supervisors.