Building Permit Application
The City of Dubuque Inspection & Construction Services Division issues building permits for commercial and residential projects. Our building inspectors are responsible for examining all construction plans and documents to ensure all work meets minimum code requirements prior to the issuance of the permit. Our inspectors will perform field inspections throughout your project to ensure work is being done according to the submitted application and plans. Upon completion, our inspectors will issue a final completion letter or certificate of occupancy for each project.
Residential Permit Information
Residential & Commercial Building Inspector
Mike Sievers | Email
Phone: 563-589-4154
Commercial Building Inspector
Jeff Zasada | Email
Phone: 563-690-6037
Residential Building Permit Applications are Required for:
- Single-family dwellings
- Townhomes
- Two-family dwellings
- New construction
- Additions or alterations (including decks, patios, and fences)
- Garages and carports
- Any accessory structure larger than 200 square feet
- Retaining walls over 4 feet in height
- Interior Remodel Projects
- Backyard Swimming Pools
Why Building Permits are Important / Work That Requires a Permit
NOTE: The Planning and Zoning Department needs to approve all site plans prior to building permit issuance.
Application Process
- Submit a permit application with construction plans or drawings.
2. Download the Plan Review Checklist, complete, save and submit with the application.
3. Inspection & Construction Services will perform a plan review of the submitted construction documents and will provide plan review notes and/or plan approval prior to permit issuance.
4. Permit applications for new construction projects must include a site plan for review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Department prior to permit issuance.
5. A plan review fee will be charged for all new construction, additions, remodels, and accessory buildings over 200 square feet in size.
6. All other general building permits being applied for can submit the residential building permit application along with a detailed work description of the project or work being done.
- NOTE: By providing as much detail about your project as possible including product specifications when appropriate, the plan reviewer will be able to provide helpful feedback that could prevent potential code deficiencies that may be identified at the time of inspection.
7. In addition to a building permit, if the scope of work for your proposed project includes plumbing, mechanical, or electrical, a separate permit application must be submitted for each trade.
Building permit applications can be submitted online (link in 1a above), by mail, e-mail, or in person at the Inspection & Construction Services Division located at the Historic Federal Building, 350 W 6th St., Suite 312 (3rd floor) in the Housing & Community Development Department office. All permit applications must be paid in full prior to the issuance of the permit and work beginning. Payment options include cash, check, or credit/debit card payments. Credit/debit card payments must be made over the phone at 563-589-4150 or in-person.
Residential Garage Guide
Site Plan Example
Building Permit Fees
Guidelines and Code-Related Information
A building permit is required for any deck that is attached to a structure or any detached deck 30 inches or more above the adjacent grade. Inspections are required on permitted projects when the pier holes are open, before any framing is concealed and the project is completed.
The following requirements must be met even if a building permit is not required:
- Please contact Planning Services at 563-589-4210 for information regarding the required setback distances from property lines.
- A minimum depth of 42 inches is required for any deck that is attached to a dwelling or structure that has frost protection.
- Guardrails are required to be installed on all decks or open stairways that are 30 inches or more above grade or the floor below. The guardrail shall not be less than 36 inches in height. Intermediate rails shall be spaced sot hat an object 4 inches in diameter cannot pass through. The top of the guardrails for stairways, exclusive of their landings, may have a minimum height of 34 inches. Guardrails shall be constructed to support 20 pounds per square foot of lateral load.
- Stairways shall be a minimum of 36 inches wide with a maximum rise of 7.75 inches and run of 10 inches.
- A handrail shall be provided on at least one side of stairways of 4 or more risers. The handrail shall be continuous with a height of between 34 and 38 inches measured vertically from the nosing of the treads. The handrail shall be between 1.25 inches and 2 inches wide and provide a gripping surface.
- Joists should not overhand the beam by more than 2 feet, nor should beams overhang support posts by more than 1 foot unless a special design is approved by City of Dubuque Inspection and Construction Services.
- All decks shall be designed to support a live load of 40 pounds per square foot.
- All connections between decks and dwelling shall be weatherproof. Any cuts in the exterior finish of the dwelling shall be flashed or caulked. All exposed wood used in the construction of decks is required to be wood and natural resistance to decay (redwood, cedar, etc.) or approved treated wood. This includes posts, beams, joists, and decking.
- Headers joists more than 6e feet long and tails joists more than 12 feet long shall be supported by approved joist hangers and fasteners (no roofing nails) sized and installed per the manufacturer's listing. All fasteners shall be corrosion resistant and approved for the specific use.
Special Design Note: Some deck designs may not be appropriate should the construction of roof or enclosure be a future consideration.
R310.1. Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room, but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement. Where emergency escape and rescue openings are provided they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with Section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the emergency escape and rescue opining from the inside. Emergency escape and rescue openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2.
Exceptions:
- Basements without bedrooms that provide a second stairway that terminates in a room separate from the first stairway.
- The finished sill height may exceed 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor if approved by the building official and the following conditions are met:
- The exterior finish grade is more than 36 inches (914 mm) above the interior floor level of the room, OR altering the exterior configuration of the building would adversely affect the historical significance of the building.
- A platform capable of supporting a live load of 300 pounds shall be permanently affixed at the interior of the window. This platform shall be no lower than 20 inches (508 mm) above the floor and no higher than 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor. The distance from the platform to the finished sill height shall not exceed 36 inches (914 mm). The platform shall extend outward from the wall a minimum of 24 inches (610 mm) and shall be at least as wide as the clear openable width of the window.
- The escape or rescue window shall have minimum clear openable area of 9 square feet (0.84 meters squared), with a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm).
- The building shall be equipped with smoke detectors installed in accordance with Section R313.
- The exterior finish grade is more than 36 inches (914 mm) above the interior floor level of the room, OR altering the exterior configuration of the building would adversely affect the historical significance of the building.
R320.1.1 All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.530 meters squared).
Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 meters squared).
R310.1.2 the minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm).
R310.1.3 The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508).
R310.1.4 Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys or tools.
R310.2 The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet (0.84 meters squared), with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches (914 mm). The area of the window well shall allow the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened.
Exception: The ladder or steps required by Section 310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well.
R310.2.1 Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder of steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with Sections R311.5 and R311.6. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches (305 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full height of the window well.
R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with the door panels in the fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also comply with Section R311.5.8.2.
R310.4 Bars, grills, covers and screens or similar devises are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Section R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, and such devices shall be releasable or removable form the inside without the use of a key, tool of force greater that that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue opening.
Download PDF of the Emergency Escape & Rescue Openings guidelines.
Minimum Requirements for Detached Private Residential Garage
- Requirements for Poured Concrete Floating Slab Foundation for Detached Private Residential Garage 720 Sq. Ft. or Less in Area
- The foundation shall be located on level, original soil with a minimum bearing capacity of 2000 psf.
- The perimeter grade beam shall be a minimum of 12 inches in depth, measured from the exterior grade line, by 12 inches in width and shall be continuous under all supporting walls.
- The floor slab shall be a minimum of 4 in. in depth and shall be supported at the edges by the perimeter grade beam.
- Minimum reinforcing shall consist of #10 gauge 6 in. by 6 in. WWF (welded wire fabric) or #4 (1/2 in. diameter) ASTM grade 60 steel reinforcing bars spaced a maximum of 2 feet on center in both directions.
- The foundation shall be located on level, original soil with a minimum bearing capacity of 2000 psf.
- Framing Requirements for Detached Private Residential Garage
- All foundation plates or sills and sleepers on a concrete or masonry slab, which is in direct contact with earth, and sills which rest on concrete or masonry foundations, shall be treated wood or foundation redwood, all stamped by an approved agency.
- Untreated wood shall be separated from earth by a minimum of 6 inches.
- Foundation plates or sills shall be bolted to the foundation or foundation wall with not less than 1/2 inch nominal diameter steel bolts embedded at least 7 inches into the concrete or masonry, and spaced not more than 6 feet apart. There shall be a minimum of two bolts per piece with one bolt located within 12 inches of each end of each piece. A properly sized nut and washer shall be tightened on each bolt to the plate.
- The structure shall be designed to resist an 80 mph wind load.
- The roof and exterior walls of the structure shall be designed to support a 30 psf snow load.
- The maximum allowable deflection for a garage door header, not supporting plaster, shall not exceed L/240.
- Attic floors shall be designed to support a minimum 20 psf live load.
- Residential attic storage shall be separated from the garage by minimum 5/8 inch Type X gypsum board on the supporting walls and minimum 1/2 inch Type X gypsum board on the garage ceiling.
- All foundation plates or sills and sleepers on a concrete or masonry slab, which is in direct contact with earth, and sills which rest on concrete or masonry foundations, shall be treated wood or foundation redwood, all stamped by an approved agency.
Fences 7 feet in height or less do not need a building permit.
2-8.1 Residential Districts
- On any residential lot, fences may be erected to a height of 7 feet in all yards except that fences erected in required front yards shall not exceed 4 feet in height, provided that 10 feet of clear visibility shall be maintained on corner lots.
- In a historic district, fences with height in excess of the above limitations may be permitted as conditional uses where the height, material, composition and general appearance of the fence is appropriate to the property in the historic district and the other application standards for conditional use permits are met.
2-8.2 Other Districts
- Fences surrounding schoolyards or located in non-residential zoning districts shall be exempt from the provisions of section 2-8.1 of this Ordinance, provided that visibility at intersections is not hindered.
2-8.3 Barbed Wire
- Barbed wire and electric fences shall not be permitted below 8 feet in height, except when used in the AG agriculture district for purposes of containing livestock.
As the owner-occupant of a detached single family dwelling, you are allowed to install fuel gas piping within your home. Such installations require permits and must pass all inspections. The following list of “dos and don’ts” are intended to help make the completed job easier, safe and code complying. These helpful comments do not preclude compliance with other significant aspects of the Dubuque Mechanical Code – Fuel Gas Piping requirements.
Do:
- Use Schedule 40 black steel piping with malleable iron screwed fittings (no cast iron). Flexible Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) will also be allowed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Use an approved pipe thread compound applied to the male threads only (keep at least 2 threads back from end of pipe).
- Incorporate drip legs at all appliance connections. For mobile home gas piping, care must be exercised so that such drip legs are not located in a freezable area
(any water vapor or condensate that may be entrained in the gas line will settle in such legs causing pipe or fittings to rupture if it freezes). Outside or unheated areas are prohibited locations for gas piping drip legs.
Incorporate an approved gas shut-off valve within three feet of the appliance served and a malleable ground joint union downstream of the valve to enable replacement of the appliance. In lieu of the ground joint union, an AGA approved flexible appliance connector may be used (flexible connector cannot penetrate appliance casing).
Double check your piping layout for proper sizing based on the Dubuque Mechanical Code pipe sizing method.
Provide an air test (at least 15 psi) on all newly installed piping. Test pressure must be maintained without loss of pressure for at least 15 minutes and observed by an inspector. (Gauge readout dial must not be more than 30 psi). If gas pressure is 2 pounds or higher, call Building Safety Department for test requirements.
Provide an approved mobile home flexible connector between service outlet and trailer when piping gas to a mobile home.
All gas piping systems are required to be bonded according to the National Electrical Code (NEC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70.
Call the Building Safety Department at 563-589-4150 with any questions, when in doubt, or to set up an inspection.
Don't
- Run gas piping underground, under or embedded in concrete. If gas piping must be run underground, contact the Building Safety Department for code requirements and testing.
- Incorporate ground joint unions anywhere in the piping system except at the appliance or at the meter connection.
- Subject any appliance gas control valve, regulator valve or the gas meter to the system piping are test pressure (such devices will be damaged if subjected to the required 15 psi test pressure).
- Conceal any portion of the piping until an inspector has seen it.
- Connect bond wire to any portion of CSST.
Bear in mind that the permit holder is solely responsible for the use of proper materials; correct pip sizing; proper installation of equipment, piping, valves and controls; and pressure testing of the gas piping system as required by the Building Safety Department. By obtaining a permit, the permit holder is stating that he or she is competent and knowledgeable to the degree required. While the Building Safety Department will attempt to help you, we cannot design your installation. If you have any doubts, consult a qualified licensed installer.
Any pool, spa, or hot tub requires a building permit if the structure can hold more than 24 inches in depth of water and must be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier. Exception: Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover that complies with ASTM F 1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.
General code requirements include:
- A fence or barrier at least 48 inches high must be installed restricting access to the pool. It must be measured from the finished ground level on the side of the fence or barrier away from the pool.
- Gates must open away from the water and be self-closing and self-latching from an open position of 6 inches from the gate post.
- Any locking and/or latching device is required to be a minimum 54 inches above grade and the release mechanism is to be located on the pool side of the gate.
- An existing pool enclosure shall not be removed, replaced or changed in a manner that reduces its effectiveness as a safety barrier.
- Swimming pools shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair.
The Permit Fee for swimming pools that don’t require a structural footing or foundation inspection is $46. For all swimming pools that require City Inspection to inspect footings or foundation walls for structural purposes an additional permit fee will be established based on the value of work for the construction of the footing and foundation wall.
Electrical Permits are required if new electrical is ran to provide power to the pool systems or outlets. Please note that National Electrical Code Section 400.8(1) prohibits the use of extension cords as a replacement for permanent wiring.
How to Properly Drain Backyard swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.
Visit the Vinyl Siding Institute for vinyl siding installation best practices as well as tips on historic restoration, how to clean vinyl siding, and recycling leftover vinyl siding scrap.
Commercial Building Permit Applications are Required for:
- All Non-Residential Structures, including all multi-family residential buildings with three or more dwelling units.
- Fire Alarm System Work
- Sprinkler System Work
NOTE: The Planning and Zoning Department needs to approve all site plans prior to building permit issuance
Application Requirements
- New construction, additions or alterations, and interior remodel projects require construction plans to be submitted with the permit application.
- All new construction projects are required to submit a site plan for review and approval by the Planning and Zoning Department prior to permit issuance.
- A plan review fee is charged for all new construction, additions, remodels, and accessory building over 200 square feet. The plan review fee is 20% of the permit fee.
Online Permit Application
Commercial Building Permit Application (Excel File)
Building Permit Fees
Food Establishments Additional Requirements
- Contact the City of Dubuque Health Department (563.589.4181) to fill out a separate Health Department Food Establishment Application and provide plans and specifications as required by the Health Department.
- Fill out a Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G) application and submit to the Water & Resource Recovery Center for processing.
- Fill out a Grease Interceptor Checklist Form and submit to Inspection & Construction Services for review.
Permanent and Temporary Signs
All signs require a separate permanent sign permit application or temporary sign permit application, reviewed for approval by the Planning and Zoning Department prior to permit issuance. Signs applications should be submitted at the same time your site plan or building plans are submitted to make sure approval is granted prior to moving forward with your project. The City of Dubuque requires sign contractors to obtain an annual license from the Inspection & Construction Services Division.