Planning & Zoning
Click Here for an Online Zoning/Building Permit Application
Building Official
Scott "Sparky" Kopecky (Ko-pet-ski) Phone: 515-465-4100 Cell: 515-314-9621 Fax: 515-465-4862 |
Forms and Applications![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
|
Monday - Friday
7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. |
|
Building Permits
Building permits are required for new structures, including, but not limited to, garages, accessory buildings, sheds, patios, decks, fences, signs, pools, hot tubs/spas, driveways, and sidewalks. Building permits are also required for renovations, additions, and alterations of existing buildings and structures, including for residential properties.
Demolition permits are required for the removal of structures.
Demolition permits are required for the removal of structures.
The City of Perry has adopted the following construction codes (click each link to view the code):
2018 International Building Code 2018 International Residential Code 2018 International Existing Building Code
2018 International Fuel Gas Code 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
2018 International Fire Code 2018 International Mechanical Code 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
National Electrical Code, 2020 Addition and its state amendments 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
(sign in required)
2018 International Building Code 2018 International Residential Code 2018 International Existing Building Code
2018 International Fuel Gas Code 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
2018 International Fire Code 2018 International Mechanical Code 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
National Electrical Code, 2020 Addition and its state amendments 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
(sign in required)

Frequently Asked Questions
Perry Development Process Timelines
Where can a fence be put on a property?
Accessory buildings.
Private swimming pools
Vehicular parking spaces
Would I need a permit to build a deck? If so, how much would it cost?
What is the depth of the frost line in Iowa?
What is the maximum area I can take up in the backyard with a building?
Would I need a permit to build a fence? If so, how much does it cost?
How far must the fence be from the property line?
What documentation is needed to build a garage?
How tall can the grass in my yard get before I am out of Compliance?
My neighbor has a car that never moves. How long can it be there before it is declared a nuisance?
Is there a rental code in Perry? If so, can the City of Perry perform inspections on rental properties?
My neighbor has a bunch of junk in their yard. What can the City do about my neighbor’s junk?
How much time do I get to clear my sidewalk after a snowfall?
What are the height regulations for trees over streets, sidewalks, and alleyways?
- Perry Development Process Timeline for Zoning Changes
- Perry Development Process Timeline for Final Plat
- Perry Development Process Timeline for Site Plan
- Perry Development Process Timeline for Building Permit
Where can a fence be put on a property?
- No fence shall be constructed in other but a rear or side yard.
- A side or rear wall fence or wall shall be set back (2) two feet from the property line.
- Every side wall or fence shall be set to a point parallel with the front set back of the primary structure located on the lot or the required structure set back on the lot, whichever is greater.
- A side or rear wall or fence can be constructed inside the two-foot setback with the consent of the adjacent property owner.
- A side or front wall or fence can not exceed 6 feet in height.
- A rear wall or fence can not exceed 6 feet in height unless it is set back 5 feet from the rear property line.
Accessory buildings.
- No accessory building can be erected in any required front yard.
- No accessory building can be erected within 4 feet of a main building
- No accessory building shall be closer than 4 feet to the rear or side lot line
- Accessory building may not occupy more than 30 percent of the rear yard.
- No accessory building shall be used without occupancy of the principal building.
- On a corner lot in any district, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such a manner as to impede vision between a height of 3 and 10 feet above the centerline grades of the intersecting streets.
Private swimming pools
- Private swimming pools shall be allowed only in rear yards.
Vehicular parking spaces
- All vehicular parking spaces in required front yards shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width and be surfaced with gravel, concrete, or asphalt.
Would I need a permit to build a deck? If so, how much would it cost?
- Yes, you would need a permit to build a deck. The cost is $50.
What is the depth of the frost line in Iowa?
- The frost line in Iowa is 42 inches.
What is the maximum area I can take up in the backyard with a building?
- You may not occupy more than 30 percent of the rear yard with a structure.
Would I need a permit to build a fence? If so, how much does it cost?
- Yes, you would need a permit to build a fence. The cost is $50.
How far must the fence be from the property line?
- The fence must be two feet from the property line unless you are able to obtain a Fence Contract with your neighbor(s) allowing you to place it on the property line.
What documentation is needed to build a garage?
- You will need a drawing of the garage with the dimensions of the garage, size of opening, and value of the building.
How tall can the grass in my yard get before I am out of Compliance?
- The grass in your yard is not to exceed 6 inches in both residential and commercial properties. Agricultural areas are exempt as long as it is a crop.
My neighbor has a car that never moves. How long can it be there before it is declared a nuisance?
- If a fully licensed and operable vehicle is moved every 30 days, it complies with the Perry Code of Ordinance.
Is there a rental code in Perry? If so, can the City of Perry perform inspections on rental properties?
- Yes, there is a rental code in Perry. If we receive a complaint about a property, we notify the landlord that the City of Perry has received a complaint about their rental property. An inspection is performed on a reasonable date and time, with both parties present upon inspection.
My neighbor has a bunch of junk in their yard. What can the City do about my neighbor’s junk?
- The City can inspect the yard to see if it would fit the definition of junk in the Perry Code of Ordinances. If it meets the requirements, the City will warn them to comply within a reasonable time. If they do not comply by the end of that time, the City will begin the abatement process. The City will remove the junk at the owner’s expense when the time expires on the abatement process.
How much time do I get to clear my sidewalk after a snowfall?
- Residential property owners are given 48 hours to clear their sidewalks from snow, ice, and accumulations. Property owners within the business district are given 12 hours after a snowfall to clear their sidewalks from snow, ice, and accumulations. If the task is not completed by the end of the allotted time, the City may do so at the property owner’s expense and assess the cost to the property owner. A warning will not be sent.
What are the height regulations for trees over streets, sidewalks, and alleyways?
- All trees, whether being private or public, must be trimmed to at least 9 feet above all sidewalks and at least 13 feet above all streets and alleyways. If they are not compliant, the city may send a warning to the owner of noncompliant trees. If the trees are not in compliance by the date on the warning, the City may do so and assess the cost to the property owner.