Building Information
Below are the building and trade related application forms. Included in this form list are also the covenants for certain neighborhoods within the City of Van Meter as well as the City’s Tax Abatement Application. All inspections are performed by Veenstra & Kimm – 515-850-2980. Permits should be submitted to City Hall at permits@vanmeteria.gov.
***All construction traffic MUST enter the Hudson Heights Plat 1 Development from the construction entrance off of Hazel Street. NO construction traffic is allowed on Arlington Avenue or Lakeview Drive.***
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Building Permit Application The City of Van Meter updated the Building Permit Application on 9/23/2024. Any permits received after 10/01/2024 on old versions of the form will be returned to the applicant to re-submit on the newest version of the application. A building permit application is required for ANY new construction, remodel, or property addition within the Van Meter city limits. Veenstra & Kimm determines fees and City Hall will contact you with the fee amount once the permit has been approved. Once a building permit has been turned into City Hall, the homeowner is responsible for ALL permitting fees, EVEN if the build doesn’t happen. All trade contractor information MUST be included on building permits for new construction. Do not submit separate trade permits for NEW CONSTRUCTION. Building permits are good for one year, and the work authorized must begin within 180 days of the permit approval. Inspections ARE REQUIRED and the list of REQUIRED inspections can be found on page two of the building permit application. Construction cannot begin until the builder/contractor is in receipt of an approved building permit. | BuildingPermit_20240923 |
Trade Permit The City of Van Meter updated the Building Permit Application on 9/23/2024. Any permits received after 10/01/2024 on old versions of the form will be returned to the applicant to re-submit on the newest version of the application. A trade permit application is required for ANY mechanical, plumbing, or electrical work for property additions and home remodels. Costs are $85.00 per trade permit and payment must be submitted with completed trade permit applications. All trade work (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.) MUST be inspected after work is completed. Additional permits may be required with some trade permit requests. | Trade Permit_v20240923 |
Right of Way Permit In order to promote public safety and convenience, and to assure that excavation and construction by private owners, public utilities and contractors within City owned right-of-way or public ground is done in a uniform and workmanlike manner, permits Are Required for all excavation and construction within City owned right-of-way or public grounds. This permit is issued by the Public Works Department upon application by the property owner, licensed contractor or public utility performing the work. | ROW Permit_20240923 |
Demolition Permit No person shall demolish any building within the City without first completing a permit application for the same from the Building Official. The issuance of a permit by the City shall not render the City responsible or liable for any damages which may ensue by the permittee’s demolition of a building, and said permittee will indemnify and defend the City should action be brought for the same. Demolition cannot begin until the builder/contractor is in receipt of an approved demo permit. | |
| Required Building Inspections |
Rental Property Information (for Landlords)
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| Rental Housing Registration Form | |
| Rental Housing Registration Processes & Procedures | |
| Rental Housing Inspection Checklist | |
| Rental Housing Inspection Appeal Form |
Rental Property Information (for Tenants)
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| Rental Housing Complaint Form |
Vacant Building Information
| FORM | |
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| Vacant Building Registration Processes & Procedures | |
| Vacant Building Registration Form | |
| Vacant Building Permit Form |
Tax Abatement Information
Tax Abatement is not offered on new residential construction with exception of certain lots in Plats 4 & 5 of Hickory Lodge. The specific lots in Hickory Lodge Plats 4 & 5 are the only lots eligible for tax abatement for new residential construction.
Please contact City Hall at info@vanmeteria.gov to determine eligibility. The property owner must apply to the City for tax abatement by February 1 of the assessment year from which the exemption is first claimed.
Please note that House File 718 (effective July 1, 2024) impacted how residential tax abatement works. When applying an urban revitalization tax abatement/exemption to a property assessed as residential, which also includes residential with three or more separate dwelling units, the taxes levied by a school district will be EXCLUDED from the abatement/exemption. To illustrate, if $X of new assessed value was created by improvements on the residential property, under current law, it is possible that no taxes would be levied against the $X of new value added by the improvements. (Note, X is capped at $75,000 for residential properties.) Under the new proposed law, if $X of new assessed value was created by improvements on the residential property, the property owner will have to pay taxes levied for the school district on the new $X of added value; however, the $X of added value may still be exempt from taxes levied by other taxing entities.
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Neighborhood Covenants
The City of Van Meter does not enforce neighborhood covenants. Covenants are enforced by the applicable Homeowner’s Association or developer. These are posted for resident reference only.
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| Whispering Pines | |
| Crestview Estates | |
| Hickory Lodge Plat 5 | |
| Grand Ridge Estates | |
| Grand Ridge Estates Townhomes | |
| Trindle Ridge Plat 1 | |
| Hudson Heights Plat 1 |