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Board of Adjustment
What should be submitted with a Special Use Permit application?
- Completed application
- $300 filing fee
- Written statement describing the use and aspects listed in the application
- Site plan showing the location of any buildings involved with the use and where the use is planned to happen. (There may be an additional site plan fee for specific uses as listed in the application.)
- Any other materials required for a specific use or requested by our office.
What is a Special Use permit?
This is a type of permit that only the Board of Adjustment can grant to allow specific types of activity to occur on a property that are listed in Article 20.2 of the county Zoning Ordinance. Depending on the specific details of the requested special use, requirements will be put in place on that use that will mitigate potential impacts from the activity.
Before applying, you should contact our office about the special use and discuss the details with us. We will help you with the requirements and what needs to be submitted with the application.
How do I know if the use I would like to do requires a Special Use Permit?
Please contact us to go over what you would like to do, and we will help you through the process.
By Phone: 641-421-3075
In Person:
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N Washington Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
What does the Board of Adjustment do?
The Board hears requests for special exception outlined under certain standards, requests for variances from the rules of the Zoning Ordinance, unique uses, referred to as a special use, on properties that tend to have bigger impacts on surrounding properties, or appeals to decisions made by the Zoning Administrator. No request is guaranteed to be approved by the Board. Each request is considered on the specific details of the individual request.
Building/Zoning Permits
How much does a permit cost?
The permit fee is based on the projected cost of construction. The fee table shows the costs. The fee will not be charged until after your application is reviewed. Permit fees must be paid and the permit issued before you begin construction.
How do I know where my property line is?
The only way to know for sure is to locate your property pins at each corner of your property. These can be located with a metal detector or special locator. You may need to hire a professional land surveyor to locate the pins for you. We may be able to help you if we have record of existing structures on the property. Sometimes an official property survey may be on record at the Cerro Gordo County Recorder’s Office.
Do I need a zoning permit to remove a structure?
No. It is recommended you call the Cerro Gordo County Assessor’s Office at 641-421-3141 so the change can be accounted for in your property records.
A setback is the closest distance from the structure you would like to build to each property line, or the right-of-way line along streets.
If the sidewalk or driveway is at ground-level, you do not need a zoning permit. However, for a new driveway, you will need a Driveway Permit from the County Engineer’s Office to connect to the public right-of way. You also may need a Driveway Permit for widening a driveway.
If the sidewalk or driveway is at ground-level, you do not need a zoning permit. However, for a new driveway, you will need a Driveway Permit from the County Engineer’s Office to connect to the public right-of way. You also may need a Driveway Permit for widening a driveway.
Do I need a zoning permit for temporary structures?
Yes. This includes structures that do not have a permanent foundation, sheds on skids, temporary car port canopies, dog kennels, and other similar structures.
Can I build a house on less than 10 acres in the county?
You may build on less than 10 acres under certain circumstances. In the A-1 Agricultural District, parcels of less than 10 acres created before March 13, 1990 are considered legal lots. Parcels zoned A-1 and created after March 13, 1990 must be 10 acres or larger in size.
Another exception includes parcels zoned A-2 Agricultural. In the A-2 district, the minimum parcel size is two acres. Normally, these are existing farmsteads that are being severed from surrounding tillable land. Requests to rezone from A-1 to A-2 are heard by the Planning and Zoning Commission, which makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
How do I qualify for an agricultural exemption from zoning rules?
You may qualify for agricultural exemption if:
- The parcel or group of parcels you want to build on is at least 10 acres in size
- The parcel you want to build on is zoned A-1 Agricultural and the use of the structure is allowed in the zoning district.
- Where you want to build is not in a floodplain
- The property and structure you are building is used for agricultural purposes
- All required approvals from the Public Health Department have been received
Some rules or structures never qualify for agricultural exemptions, including but not limited to:
- A second home on the same parcel
- If you want to build in a floodplain
- A horse stable
- Hobby farms
- If the use of the structure is not allowed in the A-1 Agricultural district or the property is not zoned A-1 Agricultural
You need to turn in an application to the Planning and Zoning office to determine whether a structure qualifies for agricultural exemption. No permit fee is required if the structure qualifies.
Can I build in a floodplain?
You can check the floodplain map or contact us to find out if the location for a structure you want to build is in a floodplain.
Before any construction or digging can occur in a floodplain as determined by FEMA, the project must be applied for and reviewed by the Iowa DNR. You also need to receive a Floodplain Development Permit from our office before any work can be done.
Feel free to contact us:
Phone: 641-421-3075
Address:
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N Washington Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
How do I know what the zoning rules are for my district?
You can find the district rules and general zoning rules in the Zoning Ordinance. Please contact us with any questions you may have:
By Phone: (641) 421-3075
In Person:
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N Washington Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
Anytime you want to build, reconstruct, move, add on to, or alter any structure on your property, you need a Zoning Permit.
What is my property zoned?
Please contact us to look up the zoning of your property.
Phone: (641) 421-3075
Address:
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N Washington Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
Docks
Can I get more than one dock assignment?
No. Dock assignments are in high demand, so we can only accommodate one assignment per assignee when a hoist location opens up.
How long does it take to get a dock assignment?
Due to the high demand for assignments, you should expect a minimum of 3 years before we get to your name on the waiting list.
Spots are assigned according to state law and the dock policy. Both require assignments on the basis of the following priority:
- Priority 1: own a house in a South Shore subdivision
- Priority 2: own a house in Cerro Gordo County
- Priority 3: Iowa residents.
We first work through the Priority 1 group, then Priority 2, and then Priority 3. Otherwise, the spots are offered based on time of request with older requests being offered spots first.
What are the costs for a dock assignment?
Every year we have some administrative costs. There is a $50 per hoist fee for each dock assignee. There is also a $250 administrative fee shared among the assignees of each dock.
Dock assignees are also responsible for the cost to maintain the dock and public approach and other costs, including setting it up and taking it down each season, off-season storage, maintenance and other costs associated with the dock. Dock assignees must agree to the equitable sharing of costs with each other. There is a dock contact person for each dock that organizes the costs and operation of the dock.
When do dock assignments open up?
Hoist locations open up when existing assignees voluntarily notify us they would like to give up the spot, non-use of an assignment, or the dock rules are violated.
Where are the public docks for the county?
- Bayberry Avenue, Ventura Heights
- 242nd Street, Ventura Heights
- 240th Street, Dodges Point Park
- Pascal Street, PM Park
- Leroy Street, PM Park
- Lakeview Drive, Oakwood Park
- Ash Street, Oakwood Park
- Linden Street, Oakwood Park
- Oak Street, Oakwood Park
- Elm Street, Oakwood Park
- Hill Street, Oakwood Park
- Sycamore Street, Oakwood Park
- Walnut Street, Oakwood Park
- Hackberry Street, Oakwood Park
- Maple Street, Oakwood Park
How do I get on a public dock?
Dock assignments are in high demand. At this time, you will have to be put on the dock waiting list until an assignment opens up.
To be placed on the waiting list, please include the following information:
- Which dock(s) you want to be on the waiting list for
- Name
- Address of property owned on the South Shore or in Cerro Gordo County
- Mailing Address
- Phone Number
- E-Mail address, if possible
- Any other information to assist us in contacting you, such as an alternate phone number
Floodplains
How do I know where the floodplain is on my property?
Can I build or dig in a floodplain?
It depends. Anytime you want to build or dig in a 100-year floodplain as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), review of the work is required by the Iowa DNR before any work is done. The DNR has what is called a Joint Application for any proposed work in a floodplain. This includes building structures as small as a shed or deck, doing any digging or excavation, or rebuilding an aging structure in the exact same location.
Once a DNR review has been conducts, a local floodplain permit is also required for any work in the floodplain. We cannot approve any development in a floodplain until the DNR has reviewed the proposed work.
P&Z Definitions
What is the 100-year floodplain?
Land that has a 1% chance of flooding in any given year.
What is a zoning administrator?
A legal document prepared by a professional land surveyor mapping the exact dimensions and details of a property.
What defines Special Use?
These are uses, that due to their potential impacts, are considered following a public hearing before the Board of Adjustment (BoA). The BoA may establish conditions that the use must meet so it is compatible with its surroundings.
The closest distance from the structure you would like to build to each property line, or the right-of-way line along streets.
What is the right-of-way?
Land that has been dedicated to Cerro Gordo County, the state, or the federal government and the public for circulation and services. Most of the time, a right-of-way is a public street and the adjacent land or an alley.
What does quasi-judicial mean?
Duties and responsibilities performed like a hybrid between the court of law and a town hall meeting.
Your property divided by official property lines.
What counts as agricultural purposes?
Farm homes, farm structures, cultivating the soil to raise crops, raising livestock for food.
What does an advisory do?
Responsibility to review requests and make recommendations. Does not make a final decision.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Who do I contact regarding rezonings, subdivisions, or vacating a platted street?
Please contact us with any questions regarding rezonings, subdivisions, or vacating a platted street:
By Phone: 641-421-3075
In Person:
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N Washington Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
Rural Address Markers
Am I required to have an address marker?
Yes. Not keeping a 911 sign in good condition and refusing to have it replaced can result in up to a $100 penalty per day until it is corrected.
How do I get a new address sign?
To order a new sign or post, you can contact us:
- By Phone: (641) 421-3075
- In Person: Cerro Godro County Courthouse; 220 N Washington Avenue; Mason City, IA 50401
If it is the first address sign for a newly addressed property, the County will supply the sign and post at no cost. For replacements, a new sign costs $45. A new post costs $25. Both together cost $60.
What if the snow plow damages my address marker?
Please contact the Engineer's Office at (641) 424-9037 to report the incident as soon as possible after it occurs.
Where should the address sign be located?
Generally, it should be placed to the right of your driveway along the right-of-way line of the street. If that is not practical, finding an alternative location is okay. It needs to be easily seen and legible from the road.
Signs
Do I need to have a sign permit for my sign?
Most signs must have a Sign Permit from our office:
- Chapter 19.6 of the Zoning Ordinance regulates the placement of signs
- Application
- Submit completed application by email, mail an application to our office at the address below, or turn in an application directly to our office.
Questions? Call us at 641-421-3075 or stop by our office during business hours:
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N. Washington Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
Who do I contact regarding signs?
Please contact us with any questions regarding signs:
By Phone: 641-421-3075
In Person
Cerro Gordo County Courthouse
220 N Washington Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
