Building Safety in Ames, IA (2026)
8 verified building safety rules for Ames, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
In the City of Ames, Iowa, Municipal Code Sec. 13.705 requires at least one passenger elevator to stay in operation at all times a rental building is occupied. Buildings with only a single elevator get a narrow exception to take it offline temporarily for testing or servicing.
Ames Rental Elevator Operation Rule
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 13.705
In buildings equipped with passenger elevators, at least one elevator shall be maintained in operation at all times when the building is occupied. Exception: Buildings equipped with only one elevator shall be permitted to have the elevator temporarily out of service for testing or servicing.
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
In the City of Ames, Iowa, one- and two-family homes are not required to install residential fire sprinklers; the city deleted the plumbing code's residential sprinkler sections entirely. Existing high-rises over 75 feet, institutions housing more than 16 people and dormitories sleeping more than 16 unrelated people had to retrofit automatic sprinkler systems by October 1, 2011, with the Building Board of Appeals able to grant extensions.
Ames Building Fire Sprinkler Retrofit Rule
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 5.208(31); Sec. 8.301(2)
(31) Section 612 Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems. is amended by deleting sections 612.0 through 612.7.2. ... ... Sec. 8.301 EXISTING BUILDINGS TO HAVE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. ... (2) Retrofit Requirements. The following existing buildings shall be retrofitted with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 403.2 of the 2003 International Building Code and Section 903 of the 2003...
Door Locking Hardware
In the City of Ames, Iowa, Municipal Code Sec. 13.407(17) requires every door into a rented dwelling, rooming, or housekeeping unit to have a keyed lock with a throw of at least 1 inch that opens without a key from the inside. A sliding bolt does not satisfy the requirement, and the Building Official checks it at rental inspection.
Ames Rental Door Lock Standard
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 13.407(17)
(17) Building security. Doors, windows or hatchways for dwelling units, room units, or housekeeping units shall be provided with devices as set forth below in a, b, and c, designed to provide security for the occupants and property within. (a) Doors. Doors providing access to a dwelling unit, rooming unit, or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased, or let shall be equipped with a...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
In the City of Ames, Iowa, a carbon monoxide alarm is required in any rental dwelling unit or sleeping unit that has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage, under Ames Municipal Code Sec. 13.802(5). The Rental Housing Code places the alarm inside any bedroom containing the fuel-burning appliance and directly outside every sleeping area otherwise, with power-source rules keyed to construction dates before or after July 1, 2018.
Ames Rental Units Must Have CO Alarms
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 13.802(5)
(5) Carbon Monoxide Alarms (a) When Required. A carbon monoxide alarm is required within dwelling units or sleeping units that contain or are served by any of the following: (i) Fuel-burning appliance or fireplace (ii) Attached garage (b) Where required. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be located as follows: (i) In any bedroom or sleeping unit where a fuel-burning appliance is located ...
Building Permits
In the City of Ames, Iowa, any owner or agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building, or to install or alter electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, must first apply to and obtain a permit from the Building Official. Doing the work without a permit is itself a code violation, and contractors must be licensed, registered and insured.
Ames Building Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 5.103
Sec. 5.103. PERMITS REQUIRED. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, sha...
Electrical Permits
In the City of Ames, Iowa, the City has adopted the 2020 National Electrical Code as its electrical code, and Ames Municipal Code Sec. 5.103 requires a permit from the Building Official before installing, altering or repairing electrical systems. Only a short list of minor items in Sec. 5.105, such as fixture and lamp swaps, are exempt from that permit.
Ames Electrical Permit and NEC Code
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 5.100(10); Sec. 5.105
(10) Electrical. The National Electrical Code, 2020 edition, published by the National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts, is hereby adopted and amended in this code as the electrical code of the City of Ames and shall govern electrical work and installations in the City of Ames, except for such specific, higher standards and requirements as have been or...
Plumbing Permits
In the City of Ames, Iowa, the City has adopted the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, and Ames Municipal Code Sec. 5.103 requires a permit from the Building Official before installing, altering or replacing a plumbing system. Only stopping minor leaks or clearing stoppages without replacing pipes, valves or fixtures is exempt under Sec. 5.108.
Ames Plumbing Permit and Code Rules
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 5.100(12); Sec. 5.108
(12) Plumbing. The provisions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), Sections 101 and 102 and Chapters 2 through 17 of the Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 4755 E. Philadelphia Street, Ontario, California 91761-2816, are hereby adopted by reference with amendments as the City of Ames Plumbing Code. ... Sec. 5.1...
Building Inspections
In the City of Ames, Iowa, permitted construction work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection until the Building Official approves it, and Ames Municipal Code Sec. 5.113 requires footing and foundation, slab, framing and rough-in, and final inspections at defined stages. Work may not proceed past an inspected stage without the Building Official's approval.
Ames Building Inspection Process
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 5.113
Sec. 5.113. BUILDING INSPECTIONS (1) Building inspections. Work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. ... (4) Footing and foundation inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and ...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ames city rules.
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