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The mission of the Building Department is to oversee and regulate all construction activities within the corporate limits of Altoona through the adoption and enforcement of nationally recognized standards. Our department also serves the communities of Bondurant and Mitchellville for building related activities.
As stated in each adopted code our purpose and intent is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare through structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.
The department accomplishes this mission through regulation of the following codes:
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2006 International Building Code
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2006 International Existing Building Code
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2006 International Residential Code
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2006 International Fire Code
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2006 International Mechanical Code
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2006 International Fuel Gas Code
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2006 International Plumbing Code
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2006 International Energy Conservation Code
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ANSI A117.1-2003
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2008 National Electrical Code
History has proven that without these minimum regulations many lives would be lost prematurely and insurance costs increase. The Building Department has voluntarily agreed to be inspected and reviewed every five years by the insurance industry. This allows insurance providers who participate in the program to offer lower insurance rates to the citizens of Altoona based on the rating the building department receives. Our current rating is “3” which is equal to larger communities in the metro area and surpasses others.
The Building Department strives to be successful in all tasks ranging from inspecting residential structures including their accessory structures to commercial structures. While doing so we work with the Fire Department as well as the Planning Department to ensure the Fire Codes and the Zoning Codes are being met. Other additional duties assigned to our department include; City sidewalk inspection program, Residential Rental Property Inspections, Investigating and addressing any concerns/complaints regarding weeds and grass, snow on sidewalks, junk and debris, pit bulls and so forth. Please feel free to call the contact the Building Department with any questions or concerns you may have.
Building Files
Map of Inspector Territories
Altoona Inspector Map.pdf
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807
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Submittal Requirements
Commercial Construction Submittal Checklist
Commercial Construction Submittal Checklist.pdf
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33
K
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Developer Construction Plan Checklist
Developer Const Plan Checklist_1-27-12.1.pdf
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31
K
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Single-family Submittal Requirements
Single Family Submittal Requirements.pdf
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19
K
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Permit Applications
Building Permit Application
Bldg Permit App.pdf
Size:
33
K
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Building Permit Extension Application
Extension application.pdf
Size:
21
K
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Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Control (CO
COSESCO permit - builders comp.doc
This permit application is to be completed by home builders. There is no fee for this permit. This permit is not for developers. See the stormwater page for that permit.
Size:
106
K
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Electrical Permit
Electrical Permit App.pdf
New form 11-15-2011
Size:
48
K
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Excavation Permit
Excavation Permit Application.pdf
Size:
22
K
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Irrigation Meter / Plumbing Permit
Plg Irrigation Permit Application 5-1-08.pdf
Size:
26
K
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Mechanical Permit
Mechanical Permit App.pdf
New Form 11-15-2011
Size:
57
K
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Plumbing Permit
Plumbing Permit App.pdf
New Form 11-15-2011
Size:
52
K
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Temporary Use Permit
Community Development app Temp Use Permit_condensed version.pdf
Size:
25
K
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Fees
Permit Fee Schedule
Schedule of Fees - Altoona bldg.pdf
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67
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Metro Home Improvement Program
Application Metro
Application Metro.pdf
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37
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Program handout-Metro HIP
Beginning of Program handout - Metro HIP.pdf
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30
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Handouts
2008 Homeowner Exam Policy
2008 Homeowner exam policy.pdf
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63
K
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Approaches and Sidewalks
Approaches and Sidewalks.pdf
This handout covers requirements for driveway approaches and sidewalks.
Size:
340
K
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Basement Finish handout
Basement Finish (2).pdf
Size:
73
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Cold Weather Concrete Policy
Cold Weather Concrete Policy.pdf
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94
K
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Decks
Deck Handout.pdf
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824
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Detached Garage
Detached Garage.pdf
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4,815
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Egress Windows
Egress windows1.pdf
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777
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Electrical Residential Updates
Electrical updates 2008 NEC.doc
Residential electrical updates for Altoona, Bondurant and Mitchellville.
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112
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Fence Requirements
Fence requirements.pdf
Requirements for constructing a fence.
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393
K
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Garage Electrical
Garage Electrical.pdf
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49
K
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Irrigation Meter Information
IRRIGATION METERS 8-1-08.pdf
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32
K
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Sheds
Sheds.pdf
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246
K
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Sidewalk Repair Guide
Sidewalk Repair Guide.pdf
Size:
448
K
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Swimming Pools
Pool checklist.pdf
Size:
28
K
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Temporary Use Permit Handout
ORD Temporary Use Permit_published.pdf
This is a copy of the temporary use ordinance that describes the details of uses and extent of those uses.
Size:
33
K
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Work Exempt from Permits
Work Exempt from Permits.pdf
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29
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Ordinances
Property Maintenance Ordinance
Chapter 163 Property Maintenance Ord_published.pdf
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48
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Proposed Housing Ordinance
Proposed Housing Code Ordinance.pdf
Size:
45
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Licenses
Mechanical License Application Form
Mechanical Lic App 1-1-10 Form.doc
Size:
41
K
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Plumbing License Application Form
Plumbing Lic App 1-1-10.doc
Size:
38
K
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