Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license. Cities and counties enforce the state building code under their own ordinances; in a county with no building department the State Building Code Bureau at DIAL answers code questions.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 3 of 6: Approve the space
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your city or county building and zoning office (Iowa Code 103A.19).
Sources and dates
Iowa Code 103A.19 (local administration of the state building code); DIAL State Building Code Bureau pages; city ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Yes. Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing; a change of use needs building permits and inspections, and the certificate of occupancy comes before the food license and the alcohol license.
Your city or county building and zoning office (Iowa Code 103A.19).
Step 3 of 6, approve the space. The steps before it: set up the business and register for tax.
Who needs a zoning approval and certificate of occupancy in Iowa?
