Story County, IA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

10 of the Land Development Regulations governs required permits and inspections for construction in unincorporated Story County. No land may be occupied or used, and no building or structure may be moved, erected, or increased in size and occupied or used, until all required permits are acquired. 08, including Conditional Use, Zoning, Home Business, Grading, Change of Use, Sign, and Special Events permits, and every application is reviewed for conformance with zoning requirements, floodplain regulations, platting and other standards; if the project involves wastewater generation, the Story County Environmental Health Department must review and approve it before a zoning permit can issue.

Construction proceeds in two permit stages. A preliminary zoning permit is issued after an initial review confirms the plans meet applicable requirements, allowing construction to begin. Two required inspections bracket the build: a foundation location inspection before construction starts, confirming the foundation conforms to zoning, floodplain, platting and other requirements, and a final inspection after all construction is finished, checking conformance with zoning, floodplain, erosion and sediment control, platting and other requirements. Only after that final inspection does the county issue the final permit. A preliminary permit expires six months after issuance if construction has not started, though the Director can grant a one-time six-month extension on written request; once construction begins, it must be completed within 18 months of the preliminary permit's issuance or extension.