In March 2005, the
Indianola city council passed a resolution adopting the 2003
International Building Code, International Residential Code,
International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code,
International Fuel Gas Code, and International Fire Code (and
the 2002 National Electric Code).
The 2003 international codes
as they apply to all new construction and improvements will now
be enforced by the city’s Building & Zoning Department.
Builders, developers and property owners are invited to review the new
codes which are available in the Building & Zoning office at city hall.
Questions or comments may directed to Building & Zoning in person or by
calling 961-9430.
As of June 2003, the City of Indianola is offering property owners a
chance to own an alley adjacent to them for a temporary cost of $1.00
plus the administrative cost of $100.00 per deed issued. This includes:
All attorney fees incurred by the City of Indianola including deed
preparation, publishing fees and recorder fees. Surveying fees are
not included in the $100.00 administrative cost and all charges for
surveying will be paid by the purchaser(s) if needed.
Every alley vacation situation is unique. In some cases common access
agreements and/or special use agreements may require the assistance of
an attorney at the purchaser's expense. At the least, an alley
vacation approval request requires notifying and gaining the agreement
signatures of all adjacent property owners as well as notification
signatures of all property owners within the block.
In all cases of alley vacation, the utility easements remain.
The purchaser will be required to allow access for all utilities located
above and along the alley including, but not limited to, electric,
water, sewer, cable TV, phone and gas. To determine what utilities
are located in the alley area, Iowa One Call may be contacted at
1-800-292-8989.
Approval is required to voluntarily annex property to the City
Special Note:
Any owner of land
which adjoins the City may apply in writing to the City
Council and request annexation. Applications must contain a
legal description and a map showing the property location in
relation to the City (Sec 368.7, Code of Iowa)
Although no permit
is required for installation, the height and location of fences
are regulated by the Zoning Ordinance. Generally, fences are
limited to four feet in height in required front yards and six
feet in height in all other yards. In addition, fences in
required front yards are to be open type fencing. The verify
fencing and hedging requirements, contact the Building and
Zoning Department.
Approval is required to change the zoning of property from one classification to
another.
Special Note:
After review at a
Planning and Zoning Commission public meeting, the
recommendation is transmitted to the City Council for the first
of three public hearings. All property owners within 200 feet of
the property requested to be rezoned are notified for the
Commission and Council public hearings
Site Plan approval is required whenever a person, firm, corporation or other group
wishes to develop any tract or parcel of land within all zoning districts, except for:
any detached single-family residence and two-family residences, including any accessory
structure thereto;
agricultural buildings
principal and accessory buildings with less than 150 square feet of total floor space,
and
additions to existing one-story buildings when the addition is 50 percent or less of its
existing floor area and/or total floor area less than 1000 square feet, whichever is less
Complete site plan review requirements available from Building and Zoning
Special Note:
Site plans must
be submitted in detail for processing through appropriate
City departments. Site plans are to indicate and include:
a legal
description of the parcel and common address;
zoning
district and dimension of parcel;
location of
all existing and proposed buildings and construction type;
proposed
off-street parking;
location of
existing and proposed entrances, exits and curb cuts;
right-of-way
width for streets abutting site;
location of
existing and proposed utilities, signs, lights, fences,
sidewalks, wooden areas, natural drainage ways and other
natural features;
proposed and
existing landscaping, and
other features
which may have impact on the site (ie., flood plain,
erosion control measures, berms, sink holes, storm sewer
detention facilities, ponds).
Subdivision approval is required to subdivide any parcel into two or more lots within
the City
and additional approval is required for plats of survey within two miles of the city limits.
Special Note:
City subdivision
regulations provide for two distinct approval/review procedures
for the subdivision of land. They are parcel, preliminary and
final plats.
Timing:
Allow 30-60 days per
plat, depending on the size of the project and the quality of
the submission.
Fees:
Plat of Survey
= $25 for each plat of survey submitted for approval Preliminary Plat = $150 (plus $10 per lot for more than
10 lots) Final Plat = $75 (plus $5 per lot for more than 10 lots)
Variance approval is required to obtain a deviation from the strict application of the
provisions
of the Zoning Ordinance
Special Note:
The developer or
property owner must submit an application, along with a site
plan, which is transmitted to the Board of Adjustments for a
review at a public hearing. Variances are granted only when
unique conditions of a property, not created by the owner, will
cause undue hardship if the Zoning Ordinance is strictly
enforced.
Timing:
Allow four to six
weeks, depending on submittal time.
Appeals may be made by any person aggrieved by a decision, requirement, determination
or interpretation of an administrative official in the enforcement of the Zoning
Ordinance.
A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days immediately following the date of the
administrative action which is the subject of the appeal. The Board of Adjustment reviews
all appeals and may reverse, affirm or modify the order, requirement, decision or
determination.
Timing:
Allow a minimum
of 30 days following filing an appeal
Amendments which change the text of the Zoning Ordinance must be
approved by the City
Council.
Special Note:
The developer or
property owner must submit an application, along with a site
plan, which is transmitted to the Board of Adjustments for a
review at a public hearing. Variances are granted only when
unique conditions of a property, not created by the owner, will
cause undue hardship if the Zoning Ordinance is strictly
enforced.
Timing:
Allow four to six
weeks, depending on submittal time.
