Permit Process

Polk County processes Building, Manufactured Structure, Mechanical and Plumbing Permits for the following jurisdictions:

  • Polk County (outside city limit boundaries)
  • City of Falls City

Polk County processes Electrical Permits for the following jurisdictions:

  • Polk County (outside city limit boundaries)
  • City of Dallas
  • City of Falls City
  • City of Independence

 

Please review the following information before applying for a Building Permit or Manufactured Structure Permit:
 

Landuse Information

Prior to submitting a Building Permit or Manufactured Structure Permit application, contact the Planning Division to verify that the use of the structure is allowed in the zone for the property, verify what the setbacks to property lines are, whether or not a landuse application is required prior to applying for permits and what other development standards might relate to your project.

For more information on the zoning of the property, view the Polk County WebMap program and the Polk County Zoning Ordinance.

Floodplain Information

Prior to submitting a Building Permit or Manufactured Structure Permit application, you should verify if the property or construction site is within the regulated 100-year floodplain. If the project area is located in the regulated floodplain additional standards may apply impacting how structures can be constructed, depending on the use and type of construction. Non-structural floodplain development, such as mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling within an identified floodplain requires a landuse review prior to development.

For more information on viewing floodplain boundaries on the property, you may use our Polk County WebMap program. For floodplain development information, view Chapter 178 Floodplain Overlay Zone of the Polk County Zoning Ordinance.

School Excise Tax Information

If your project is located on property within Central School District, your project may be subject to a school excise tax. Once a Building Permit or Manufactured Structure Permit Application is submitted within Central School District, a copy of the permit application will be given to the applicant to submit to Central School District so they can calculate the fees. Certain projects may be exempt from the excise tax. Central School District will give the applicant a form stating payment has been made or that the project is exempt. This form will need to be returned to the Polk County Community Development Department before the Building Permit or Manufactured Structure Permit can be issued.

Projects Within Urban Growth Boundaries

Urban Growth Boundary areas are located around incorporated city limits. If your project is located within an Urban Growth Boundary your project may need to be coordinated with the city and the review time for your permit may be increased.

Permit Costs

Permit fees are based on the cost of the project, type of construction and square footage. You may contact our office for an estimate of permit fees; however, we can only provide an estimate and we will not be able to give you exact amounts until after a plan review is completed. For some commercial project costs, the Building Official may need to be consulted. If you have any questions about the cost of your project, please contact us by phone at (503) 623-9237 or contact us by  e-mail.

Permit Timelines

Building Permit and Manufactured Structure Permit issuance takes approximately 2-4 weeks for residential projects and approximately 2-6 weeks for commercial projects. However, the process could take longer for incomplete applications, plans or plot plans, other applications required prior to permit issuance and outstanding landuse conditions.