Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

Yes. This includes structures that do not have a permanent foundation, sheds on skids, temporary car port canopies, dog kennels, and other similar structures.

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.

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.

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

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.

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