Permitting and Inspections

Homeowners can apply for permits for any projects on their primary residence without needing a contractor. The only exception for this is that a homeowner cannot obtain a permit to upgrade the electrical service for their residence.

All electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work completed on commercial or rental properties must be done by a licensed contractor. Building permit work may be completed by any person licensed by the State of Iowa Division of Labor or the property owner.

Staff's goal is to have an initial review on all permits completed within 21 days of a complete application. Residential permits are currently averaging a 6-day review timeframe while commercial permits are averaging 10-16 days.

The City of Ames has adopted a fee schedule for all building and development fees. These can be found in Appendix L and Appendix U. Additionally, our online permitting portal has a convenient building permit fee estimator.

When Required

Permits are required for nearly all projects. However, some projects do not require a permit but are still subject to code standards such as setbacks and wind load. Below is a list of projects that do not require permits:

• Removal of less than 32 square feet of wall covering
• Window or door replacements when not enlarged in width
• Accessory structures, such as a shed, not exceeding 120 square feet
• Fences
• Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height
• Painting, carpentry, cabinets and other like finishes
• Swimming pools not exceeding 24 inches in depth or 5,000 gallons of water and which are entirely above ground
• Awnings
• Moveable fixtures, cases, racks, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height
• Replacement of siding or roof coverings

Common projects requiring permits include:

• Deck or stair replacement
• Egress windows
• New sleeping areas
• Basement finishes
• Driveway replacement or installation
• Location changes for wall openings

If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, please call! It is much easier to determine the need for the permit prior to work commencing.

Licensing

All contractors are required to be licensed with the State Division of Labor and provide general liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000.

Inspections

Permit holders are responsible to request inspections at different intervals through a project. Some project types will require one inspection while others may require four or five different inspections. A general guideline for inspection timing is listed below:

• Footing/Foundation Inspection - Inspection is required after excavation is complete and reinforcement is in place but before concrete is poured
• Framing Inspection - Inspection is required after roof deck, framing, fireblocking and bracing is in place but before wall coverings are installed
• Final Inspection - Inspection is required when all work is complete

Inspection requests can be made by phone (515-239-5153), email (inspections@cityofames.org), or on our permitting portal. Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday during a morning (9:30-11:30) or afternoon (1:30-3:30) window. Footing and Foundation inspections can be made with a 2-hour notice (call AM for a PM inspection) and Framing and Final inspections can be made with a 24-hour notice (call today AM for tomorrow AM).

When Required

Permits are required for most electrical work with the following exceptions:

• Repairs & Maintenance - Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps and fuses, or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles, or for simple replacement of electrical fixtures such as wall plugs and light fixtures
• Radio & TV Transmitting Stations - Electrical equipment for radio transmission. Exception: Equipment and wiring for the power supply to equipment does require a permit
• Electric Facilities - Installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment installed by or for the City of Ames Electric Department, or other licensed or franchised electric utility company in generation, transmission, distribution, or metering of electricity
• Manufacturing Processes - Moveable process equipment independent of the building structure
• Electrical Manufacturing - Work involved in the manufacturing, testing, servicing, altering or repairing of electrical equipment
• Elevators - Installation, repairing, remodeling or maintenance of elevators, dumbwaiters or escalators. Except: electrical equipment for supplying current to the control panel of elevators, dumbwaiters, or escalators does require permits and inspections

Licensing

All electrical contractors must be licensed with the State of Iowa. Additionally, each contractor must be registered with the State Division of Labor and hold general liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000.

Inspections

Permit holders are responsible to request inspections at different intervals throughout a project. Some project types will require one inspection while others may require four or five different inspections. A general guideline for inspection timing is listed below:

• Underground Inspection - After trenches or ditches are excavated and before any backfill is put in place
• Rough-In Inspection - After the roof, framing, fireblocking, firestopping, draftstopping and bracing is in place and all electrical distribution conductors are roughed-in, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes
• Final Inspection - After the building is complete, all electrical fixtures are in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy

Inspection requests can be made by phone (515-239-5153), email (inspections@cityofames.org), or on our permitting portal. Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday during a morning (9:30-11:30) or afternoon (1:30-3:30) window. All electrical inspections require a 24-hour notice (call today for an inspection tomorrow).

When Required

Permits are required for most plumbing work with the exception of the following:

• For the stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe. When any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defecteive and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work is considered new work and must obtain a permit and inspections
• For the clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures

Water heater replacements and sump pump installations require permitting and inspections!

Licensing

All plumbing contractors must be licensed with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) through the State of Iowa. Additionally, each contractor must be licensed with the State Division of Labor and hold general liability insurance of not less than $500,000.

Inspections

Permit holders are responsible to request inspections at different intervals throughout a project. Some project types will require one inspection while others may require four or five different inspections. A general guideline for inspection timing is listed below:

• Underground Inspection - After trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before backfill is put in place
• Rough-In Inspection - After the roof, framing, fireblocking, firestopping, draftstopping and bracing is in place and all sanitary, storm and water distribution piping is roughed-in, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes
• Final Inspection - After the building is complete, all plumbing fixtures are in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy
• Water Heater Inspection - After the installation is complete

Inspection requests can be made by phone (515-239-5153), email (inspections@cityofames.org), or on our permitting portal. Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday during a morning (9:30-11:30) or afternoon (1:30) window. The following types of inspections can be requested with as little as a 2-hour notice:

• Stub-In
• Sewer Service
• Water Service
• Groundwork
• Water Heater

All other inspections require a 24-hour notice.

When Required

Permits are required for most mechanical and gas work with the exception of the following:

• Portable heating appliances
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe
• Portable ventilation equipment
• Portable cooling unit
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code
• Portable or evaporative coolers

Licensing

All contractors are required to be licensed by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) through the State of Iowa. Additionally, each contractor must hold general liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000.

Inspections

Permit holders are responsible to request inspections at different intervals throughout a project. Some project types will require one inspection while others may require four or five different inspections. A general guideline for inspection timing is listed below:

• Underground Inspection - After trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before backfill is in place. When excavated soil contains rocks, broken concrete, frozen chunks and other rubble that would damage or break the piping or cause corrosive action, clean backfill shall be on the job site.
• Rough-In - After the roof, framing, fireblocking and bracing are in place and all ducting and other components to be concealed are complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes
• Final Inspection - Upon completion of the mechanical system.

Inspection requests can be made by phone (515-239-5153), by email (inspections@cityofames.org), or on our permitting portal. Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday with a morning (9:30-11:30) or afternoon (1:30-3:30) window. The following types of inspections can be requested with as little as a 2-hour notice:

• Boiler/Furnace
• Fireplace

All other inspections require a 24-hour notice.

When Required

Permits are required for most exterior signage with the following exceptions:

• Nonelectrical real estate signs not exceeding 6 square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental, or lease of the premises upon which said signs are located only
• Nonelectrical signs denoting only the name and profession/business of an occupant in a commercial building, public institutional building, or dwelling house and not exceeding 2 square feet in area
• Nonelectrical single sign denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding 32 square feet in area
• Nonelectrical memorial signs or tables, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials
• Publicly owned street name signs, traffic control signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and temporary warning or emergency signs; and, emblems, names, logo, and symbols on motor vehicles and equipment being used for purposes other than the display of signs or advertising devices
• Nonelectrical public services signs which give only directions "in and out" or signs which provide only information about directing people to ancillary facilities such as parking, entrance, etc.
• A nonelectrical temporary (90 days or less) or portable sign

Permitting

Sign permit applications can be emailed to inspections@cityofames.org or submitted through our online portal. Applications must include the following:

• Completed application
• Drawing/rendering of the proposed sign with dimensions
• Site plan showing the location of each sign
• Property Owner/Landlord approval (can be emailed separately if not able to sign the application)

Applications do not require engineered drawings or a licensed contractor.

General Standards

Most signs are subject to the same basic standards. However, some zones have additional requirements based on zone standards. Most commercial buildings are allowed the following:

• 3 square feet of signage for every 1 foot of lot frontage on a street. A lot having a 90' frontage (regardless of building size) would be allowed a maximum of 270 square feet of signage
• Non-illuminated wall signs are limited to 64 square feet or 10% of the face of the facade to which they are attached, whichever is smaller
• Illuminated signs do not have a maximum size
• Ground signs can be a maximum of 50' in height
• Signs cannot be placed in the right of way or within any easement. Signs projecting over public property require an encroachment permit.