Building Inspection and Safety

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Contact Building Safety for most permits and inspections at (319) 626-5713.

The Department of Building Safety is the building permit issuing authority for the City of North Liberty. This Department is responsible for ensuring the building permits issued meet the requirements of the City of North Liberty’s Building and Zoning Codes. The Department processes permit applications, reviews the plans for compliance with the codes and performs field inspections of the work allowed within the permit. In times of disaster we perform assessment of damage to structures. The Department is comprised of Inspectors, Administrator Assistant and Manager. The Department also is responsible for the enforcement of the City of North Liberty Construction Site Runoff Regulations.

Mission Statement

In order to maintain the highest standard of public safety and to protect the property rights of the citizens of North Liberty, the Building Safety Department will ensure the building requirements of the City of North Liberty are fully met. The Department will provide the information and assistance that meets our customer’s needs and guides them through the permitting process. Our Staff will provide professional, consistent and friendly service. We intend to work in partnership with Designers, Developers, Contractors and Owners to foster an environment that understands the needs of our customers and works for full compliance of the governing codes. To help us improve our services your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please send your comments to tpalmer@northlibertyiowa.org.

Vision Statement

The City’s Building Safety Department strives to:
• Educate the public about code requirements.
• Streamline processes.
• Be solution oriented.
• Prioritize the intent of the code when interpreting code language.
• Be consistent in interpreting codes, polices and forms.
• Be well trained and educated.
• Treat everyone fairly and consistently.
• Be a great resource to the community.

Standards and Codes

Permit applications can be found on the Permits page. You can search permits online here.

Our current Zoning Ordinance is available in the online Code of Ordinances

Our Subdivision Ordinance is available here: Chapter 180: Subdivision Ordinance

Our latest adopted Building Code and Fire Code are available here

Sump Pump Discharge Line
Lift Station Control Standards
Lift Station Standards 

Preferred Communications Wiring Standards

North Liberty uses the Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications with this supplement to the SUDAS (updated August 2016). Accepted product lists are available for water distribution (updated April 2016) and sanitary distribution (updated February 2016).

Cold Weather Concrete Policy

• Click here for the FOG Report
• See the Building Department’s  Monthly Permit Reports.
• Click here to download FEMA brochure on building a safe room

Storm Water Management

The City of North Liberty encourages the use of storm water best management practices, including the use of rain gardens, pervious pavement, bioretention. Learn more about these techniques, and available grants, here.