Building a new home requires lots of planning. Once you have your plans drawn up, it is time to apply for a building permit. Landowners are allowed to build their own homes in the City of Marion; however, licensed sub-contractors for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing must be utilized for those trades.

In order to obtain a permit, several pieces of information need to be submitted for review. In order for your plans to go into the queue, the following required information must be provided.

To Apply:

1. Review the Single-Family Dwelling Submission Guidelines and topsoil sampling policy
2. Have scaled plans drawn up, including wall and stair cross sections and information regarding a deck or porch 
3. Draw a site plan showing house location with setbacks, driveway width at the property line, easements, silt fencing, and concrete washout if applicable
4. Complete the application, Plan Review Sheet, Erosion Control Form, and Energy Conservation Code Form 
5. Submit site plan, detailed scaled plans and required forms to:

• Community Development - Building Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address on top of the application

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, we will forward information to appropriate departments for their review and approval. If there are questions during the review process or additional information required, a staff member will reach out to you. This process can take five to seven days. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. As progress occurs, the general contractor must call for all appropriate inspections. 

Additional Resources:

• Contractors & Developers Guide
• Deck Handout
• Drywall Nailing Handout
• Egress Window Handout
• Notching & Boring Handout
• Porches - Screened & Three Seasons Handout
• Safety Glazing Handout

A building permit is required when a detached structure (garage, tool shed, storage shed, or playhouse) is over 120sqft or more than one story. Regardless of the size, the structure must be built to current codes and Zoning Regulations.

If there will be any electrical, mechanical, or plumbing included within the detached structure, separate permits will need to be pulled by the one performing the work.

Per Ch. 176.32, Accessory Structures of the Zoning Regulations, the maximum square footage of all detached structures on a property cannot exceed 900sqft without a conditional use approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. If you are considering a structure that will exceed 900sqft or will equal over 900sqft will all accessory structures on the property, please visit with the Planning Division (319.743.6320) on the requirements prior to moving forward with a building permit.

To Apply:

1. Review the Residential Detached Accessory Building handout and Zoning Regulations
2. Complete a site plan
3. Complete the application
4. Submit site plan, detailed scaled plans and other applicable information provided on handout to:

• Community Development - Building Services, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address on top of the application

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, an inspector will review your plans prior to approval. This process can take three to five days, if a conditional use is not required. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. As progress occurs, you or your general contractor must call for all appropriate inspections. 

Additional Resources:

• Drywall Nailing
• Notching & Boring Handout

A building permit is required when adding an addition or altering an existing structure. If there will be any electrical, mechanical, or plumbing included within the addition, separate permits will need to be pulled by the one performing the work. 

To Apply:

1. Review the applicable handout (Residential Attached Additions or Residential Attached Garages), trade permit information, and Zoning Regulations
2. Complete a site plan
3. Complete the application
4. Submit site plan, detailed scaled plans and other applicable information provided on handout to:

• Community Development - Building Services, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address on top of the application

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, an inspector will review your plans prior to approval. This process can take three to five days. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. As progress occurs, you or your general contractor must call for all appropriate inspections. 

Additional Resources:

• Drywall Nailing Handout
• Notching & Boring Handout
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms Handout
• Residential Stairs Handout
• Safety Glazing Handout

A building permit is required when finishing off a basement or lower level of a home. If you are the homeowner of a single-family detached home and live in the home, you are authorized to pull all necessary permits. However, if the home is a single-family attached home, duplex or multi-family dwelling, licensed subcontractors will need to be hired to perform all construction work.

If there will be any electrical, mechanical or plumbing included within the addition, separate permits will need to be pulled by the one performing the work.

To Apply:

1. Review Basement Finish Handout and all other applicable handouts and trade permit applications needed for your project
2. Draw your entire basement floor plan clearly indicating the existing finished areas/areas to be left unfinished and areas to be finished with your project
3. Complete the application
4. Submit building plans and any applicable information provided on handout to:

• Community Development - Building Services, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address on top of the application

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, an inspector will review your plans prior to approval. This process can take three to five days. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. As progress occurs, you or your general contractor must call the Building Division (319-743-6330) for all appropriate inspections. 

Additional Resources:

• Drywall Nailing Handout
• Egress Windows Handout
• Notching & Boring Handout
• Residential Stairs Handout
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms Handout

A permit is required for bathroom and kitchen remodels. A homeowner may perform the construction work without a contractor’s license, if it is a single-family detached home in which they reside. If the home is owner-occupied and a single family dwelling, the homeowner may be issued the electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits as well. However, if the home is a rental unit, duplex or multi-family dwelling, licensed subcontractors will need to be hired for these trades.

In addition to the city requirements, when performing interior remodel work on a home pre 1978 home, the State of Iowa requires the contractor to have a Lead Safe Renovation license. You can find more information on the State of Iowa Website. https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/building/lead

To Apply:

1. Review the Bathroom Finish Handout
2. Draw new room layout if fixture locations are changing, or indicate "all back in same location"
3. Complete application
4. Submit application with the cost of project and any other applicable information to:

• Community Development - Building Services, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address on top of the application

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, an inspector will review your plans prior to approval. This process can take three to five days. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment. 

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. As progress occurs, you or your general contractor must call the Building Division (319-743-6330) for all appropriate inspections. 

A permit is required for all decks or platforms over 30 inches from grade, all pergolas, all porches (open, screened, or three-season) and all ramps. Zoning regulations regarding the placement of the structure will need to be met prior to construction.

Decks: 
If your deck or platform is less than 30 inches from grade, but you are planning to add a roof, trellis, or hot tub a building permit is required.

When building a deck think about the following items as your deck and footings should be designed for the increased loads and reflected on your permit application: 

• Do you ever anticipate enclosing the deck as a screened in porch, three-season porch or addition?
• Do you plan to add a trellis or pergolas?
• Do you plan to add a hot tub?

Porches:
If you are building on an existing foundation, verification is required for the foundation via documentation or by exposing the footings. Porches that will be open to the interior of the home and are heated and cooled are considered additions and not a porch.

To Apply:

1. Review the Deck Handout, Pergola Handout, Porch Handout, or Ramp Handout
2. Complete the application and a site plan
3. Submit your application, plans and any required documentation to:

• Community Development - Building Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address on top of the application

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, staff will review them to verify they meet building codes and zoning regulations. This process can take up to a week to review. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment.

Additional Resources:

• Chapter 126, Article I - Building Code
• Chapter 162, Article III - Electrical Code

A Demo permit is required for the demolition of structures that would require a building permit to construct.

To Apply:

1. Complete the application
2. Submit the application with any required documentation to:

• Community Development - Building Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302

Next Steps:

Once you submit your application, staff will forward your request on to other departments for review and approval. This process takes a minimum of two days for review and depending on the zoning district, could take longer if council approval is required. Contact the Planning Department ahead of submitting the permit application for more information. Once you have received approval from the City, contact the utility companies to schedule all disconnects prior to starting the work. Make sure you have all necessary permits required from other Departments prior to starting. As work progresses, inspections by various Departments may be needed. Contact the Building Division for the final inspection.

A permit is required for all door and window installations or replacements of a door or window.

* Any window that will be installed within 24 inches of a door or wet surface (tub, shower, hot tub, etc.) requires that the glass be tempered (have a safety glaze).

To Apply:

1. Complete the application
2. Submit the application with the cost of project (materials and labor) to:

• Community Development - Building Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address found at the top of application.

Next Steps:

Door and window permits are issued within one-two business days of application. Once the project has been completed, you or your contractor will need to call the Building Division (319-743-6330) to request a final inspection.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. 

Additional Resources:

• Egress Window Handout
• Safety Glazing Handout

A building permit may not be required for the installation of a fence; however, there are zoning regulations that need to be followed:

• We recommend locating your property lines to ensure your fence is installed on your property and not your neighbor's property or within the City right-of-way 
• A fence located within the required setbacks shall be no taller than six feet from grade
• If you want a taller fence located within the required setbacks, you need an approved variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment
• A fence that exceeds seven feet in height does require a building permit
• A solid fence shall not extend passed the front of a house
• If you have a double fronted lot or corner lot, the fence must be located at least 12 feet from the back of street curb, any driveway or any alley
• If you plan to have the fence installed within a drainage, sewer, trail, public access, water or misc. easement, a fence hold harmless agreement must be filled out and approved by Planning, Engineering, and Public Service
• Electrified and barbed wire fences are not allowed in residential, office, or commercial zoning districts
• Corner visual clearance needs to be maintained on corner lots

For additional information review our Fence Handout or contact the Planning Division at 319-743-6320.

In addition to gas burning fireplaces, all wood and pellet-burning stoves and fireplaces require a permit prior to installation.

To Apply:

1. Review the Solid Fuel Burning Appliances Handout & Application Form
2. Complete the application
3. Submit application with any required documentation to:

• Community Development - Building Services, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, an inspector will review your plans prior to approval. This process can take three to five days. Upon approval, you will be called at the phone number provided and informed that your permit is ready to be paid for and picked up.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. As progress occurs, you or your general contractor must call for all appropriate inspections. 

Additional Resources:

• Chapter 126, Article II - Plumbing Code - includes information regarding Fuel Gas 
• Chapter 126, Article IV - Mechanical Code - includes information regarding Fuel Gas

A permit is required for all hot tubs and spas and all swimming pools capable of holding 24 inches of water or more in depth; this includes in-ground and above-ground. An electrical permit is required for the installation of all hot tubs and spas; a plumbing permit may also be required. If there is any electrical work needed for the swimming pool, an electrical permit is required.

There are barrier, access gate, and alarm/cover requirements for all outdoor hot tubs, spas and swimming pools that hold 24 inches of water or more. These requirements can be found in the Swimming Pools Handout. Our Fence Handout includes additional information; all fences must comply with Zoning Regulations regarding placement as well.

If you remove the swimming pool at the end of the season and want to install it next season, a new permit will be required for approval.

To Apply:

1. Review the Hot Tubs & Spas Handout or Swimming Pools Handout
2. Complete a site plan
3. Complete the application
4. Submit application, cost of project, and site plan to:

• Community Development - Building Services, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address found at the top of application.

Next Steps:

Once your site plan has been submitted, an inspector will review the documents prior to approval. This process can take three to five days. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year. Prior to using the hot tub, spa or swimming pool, a final inspection is required.

Additional Resources:

• Chapter 126, Article I - Building Code - information regarding swimming pool drainage
• Electrical Permit Information
• Swimming Pool Safety at Home
• Safety Glazing Handout

You must request a building permit if you plan to roof, re-roof, side or re-side any structure. You must obtain a permit prior to starting the project and a card shall be displayed on the property so it is visible from the street. The permit fee is calculated by using the valuation of the project with the dollar valuation figured by squares (one square = 100 square feet or a 10' x 10' area).

Roofing:

Roofing material can consist of either asphalt shingles or metal shingles. A maximum of two layers are allowed on a roof. Review the Roofing Handout for additional information and requirements.

Siding:

There are many siding materials on the market, make sure the person installing the siding has read the manufacturer's installation information and knows what they are doing. 

To Apply: 

1. Know the number of squares required for the project (1 square = 100 square feet or a 10' x 10' area).
2. Complete the application and email to the address found at the top of application.
3. The person performing the work should pull the permit. Contractors need to be registered with the State of Iowa Workforce Development.

Next Steps:

Roofing and siding permits are issued within one-two business days of application. Once the project has been completed, you or your contractor will need to call the Building Division (319-743-6330) to request a final inspection. 

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year.

A building permit is required for roof-mounted or ground solar installations. The project will also require a separate electrical permit pulled by an Iowa-licensed electrician.

To Apply:

1. Complete the application.
2. Complete the solar worksheet that corresponds to your project: Micro Inverter Array or Standard String Array.
3. Submit the application, worksheet and a site plan to:

• Community Development - Building Division, 1225 6th Avenue, Suite 220, Marion, IA 52302
• Or via email to the address found at the top of application.

Next Steps:

Once your plans have been submitted, an inspector will review your plans prior to approval. This process can take three to five days. Upon approval, you will be contacted via email or phone and informed that your permit is ready for payment.

Your permit is good for one year with an option to renew the permit for one additional year.