Building Safety in Story County, IA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Story County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
Childcare Center Rules
In unincorporated Story County, where you can run a child care business depends on whether it counts as a small in-home operation or a licensed center, and centers serving more than six children can only run between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The county's Land Development Regulations put a child care home in with permitted accessory uses in residential and agricultural districts, while a child care center needs the Iowa DHS license required by state law and county zoning approval.
Child Care Center Rules in Story County
Some RestrictionsStory County Code of Ordinances §§ 85.08, 90.08
“Child care center” means a facility providing child care or preschool services for children that is licensed as a child care center by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) and as defined in Chapter 237A of the Code of Iowa, as amended. ... “Child care home, in-home day care" means a person or a program located in a single-family dwelling, providing child care and includes child developm...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Story County doesn't mandate carbon monoxide detectors in homes, but County Code Section 64.07(1) requires any aquatic facility, such as a public pool, spa or waterslide, with fuel-burning appliances to install UL 2075-listed detectors with local alarms in the appliance room and every adjacent room, replaced at least every two years.
Story County Aquatic Facility CO Detectors
Light RestrictionsStory County Code of Ordinances § 64.07(1)
64.07 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS. 1. CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. An aquatic facility utilizing fuel burning appliances shall have carbon monoxide detectors with local alarming, certified, listed, and labeled in accordance with UL 2075, in the room with the appliance and all rooms that are immediately adjacent to the space containing fuel burning appliances or vents carrying the products of combus...
Building Permits
In unincorporated Story County, land cannot be occupied or used, and no building or structure may be moved, erected, or increased in size and then occupied or used, until every required permit is acquired. Story County Planning and Development issues Conditional Use, Zoning, Home Business, Grading, Change of Use, Sign, and Special Events permits under Section 92.10 of the Land Development Regulations.
When a Building Permit Is Required in Story County
Some RestrictionsStory County Code of Ordinances § 92.10
Land shall not be occupied or used, and no building or structure shall hereafter be moved, erected or increased in size and occupied or used in whole or in part for any purpose until all required permits are acquired. 1. Types of Permits. Story County may issue the following types of permits as defined in Section 85.08, Definitions: Conditional Use, Zoning, Home Business, Grading, Change of U...
Building Inspections
Before any building or structure can be moved, erected, or expanded in unincorporated Story County, it needs a zoning permit, and County Code Section 92.10 requires two inspections: a foundation location inspection before construction begins and a final inspection once construction is complete, both reviewed by the Planning and Development Department.
Story County Building Permit Inspection Process
Some RestrictionsStory County Code of Ordinances § 92.10
92.10 REQUIRED PERMITS. ... Land shall not be occupied or used, and no building or structure shall hereafter be moved, erected or increased in size and occupied or used in whole or in part for any purpose until all required permits are acquired. ... ... 3. Required Inspections. A. All work for which a zoning permit is required shall be subject to a foundation location inspection prior to cons...
All Story County ordinances
See every category we cover for Story County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Story County Ordinance Hub →