Code & Building

Functions
The Building Department ensures that new and remodel construction of residential and commercial buildings complies with the adopted building codes through plan review and on-site inspections.
Duties of the Building Official
The Building Official serves as the zoning administrator and the administration liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

Permits (print)

  1. Building Permit (PDF)
  2. Demolition Permit (PDF)
  3. Fence Permit (PDF)
  4. Fence-Adjoining Neighbor Consent Form (PDF)
  5. Moving Permit (PDF)
  6. Sign Permit (PDF)

Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption

  1. 2015 Application for Tax Exemption (PDF)
  2. Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption Brochure (PDF)

General Code Provisions

  1. Ch. 1 Code of Ordinances
  2. Ch. 2 Charter
  3. Ch. 3 Boundaries
  4. Ch. 4 Municipal Infractions
  5. Ch. 5 Operating Procedures
  6. Ch. 6 City Elections
  1. Ch. 7 Fiscal Management
  2. Ch. 7 Fiscal Management Amendment (12/17/19)
  3. Ch. 8 Industrial Property Tax Exemptions
  4. Ch. 9 Urban Renewal
  5. Ch. 10 Assessment of Property For Housing Developments Within The City Limits
  6. Ch. 11 Urban Revitalization
Download complete 2015 Le Mars Code of Ordinances (3.0 MB PDF document)

Administration, Boards and Commissions

  1. Ch. 15 Mayor
  2. Ch. 15.04 Mayor Compensation Amendment (4/4/17)
  3. Ch. 16 Mayor ProTem
  4. Ch. 17 City Council
  5. Ch. 18 City Clerk
  6. Ch. 19 City Treasurer
  7. Ch. 20 City Attorney
  8. Ch. 21 City Administrator
  1. Ch. 23 Library Board of Trustees
  2. Ch. 24 Planning and Zoning Commission
  3. Ch. 26 Hospital Administrative Agency
  4. Ch. 26 Hospital Administrative Agency Amendment (12/1/15)
  5. Ch. 28 Civil Service Commission
  6. Ch. 29 Historic Preservation Commission
  7. Ch. 29 Historic Preservation Commission Amendment (1/16/18)

Police, Fire and Emergencies

  1. Ch. 35 Police Department
  2. Ch. 36 Fire-Rescue Department
  3. Ch. 36 Fire-Rescue Dept Amendment (11/20/18)
  4. Ch. 37 Ambulance Service
  5. Ch. 37 Ambulance Service Amendment (5/5/20)
  6. Ch. 38 Hazardous Substance Spills

Public Offenses

  1. Ch. 45 Public Health and Safety
  2. Ch. 46 Park Regulations
  3. Ch. 46 Park Regulations Amendment (12/4/18)
  4. Ch. 47 Drug Paraphernalia
  5. Ch. 48 Fireworks (Amended 9/19)

Nuisances and Animal Control

  1. Ch. 50 Nuisance Abatement Procedure
  2. Ch. 51 Junk and Junk Vehicles
  3. Ch. 55 Animal Protection and Control
  4. Ch. 55 Animal Protection and Control Amendment (11/7/17)
  5. Ch. 56 Dog License Required
  6. Ch. 56 Dog License Required Amendment (11/7/17)

Traffic and Vehicles

  1. Ch. 60 Administration of Traffic Code
  2. Ch. 61 Traffic Control Devices
  3. Ch. 62 General Traffic Regulations
  4. Ch. 63 Speed Regulations
  5. Ch. 64 Turning Regulations
  6. Ch. 65 Stop or Yield Required
  7. Ch. 66 Load and Weight Restrictions
  8. Ch. 67 Pedestrians
  1. Ch. 68 One-Way Traffic
  2. Ch. 69 Parking Regulations
  3. Ch. 70 Traffic Code Enforcement Procedures
  4. Ch. 71 Golf Carts
  5. Ch. 75 - All-Terrain Vehicles and Snowmobiles
  6. Ch. 75 All-Terrain Vehicles and Snowmobiles Amendment (1/5/16)
  7. Ch. 76 Bicycle Regulations
  8. Ch. 80 Abandoned Vehicles

Water

  1. Ch. 90 Water Service System
  2. Ch. 91 Water Meters
  3. Ch. 92 Water Rates
  4. Ch. 92 Water Rates Amendment (9/3/19)
  5. Ch. 93 Extension of Water Mains and Service

Sanitary Sewer

  1. Ch. 95 Sanitary Sewer System
  2. Ch. 96 Building Sewers and Connections
  3. Ch. 97 Use of Public Sewers
  4. Ch. 98 On-Site Wastewater Systems
  5. Ch. 99 Sewer Service Changes
  1. Ch. 100 Industrial Sewer User Compliance Enforcement
  2. Ch. 100 Industrial Sewer User Amendment (1/7/20)
  3. Ch. 101 Storm Water Drainage System
  4. Ch. 99 Sewer Service Charges Amendment (6/4/19)

Garbage and Solid Waste

  1. Ch. 105 Solid Waste Control
  2. Ch. 106 Collection of Solid Waste

Franchises and Other Services

  1. Ch. 110 Natural Gas Franchise
  2. Ch. 111A Electric Franchise - Plymouth Electric Cooperative Association
  3. Ch. 111B Electric Franchise - MidAmerican Energy Company
  4. Ch. 113 Cable Television Franchise
  5. Ch. 116 Cemeteries
  6. Ch. 116 Cemeteries Amendment (4/4/17)
  7. Ch. 117 Municipal Airport

Regulation of Business and Vocations

  1. Ch. 120 Liquor Licenses and Wine and Beer Permits
  2. Ch. 121 Cigarette and Tobacco Permits
  3. Ch. 122 House Movers
  4. Ch. 123 Permits For Junk Yards
  1. Ch. 124 Food Service Providers at the Le Mars Convention Center and The Willow Creek Golf Course
  2. Ch. 125 Adult Entertainment Businesses
  3. Ch. 125 Adult Entertainment Amendment (2/16/16)

Streets and Sidewalks

  1. Ch. 135 Street Use and Maintenance
  2. Ch. 136 Sidewalk Regulations
  3. Ch. 137 Vacation and Disposal of Streets
  4. Ch. 138 Street Grades
  5. Ch. 139 Naming of Streets
  6. Ch. 140 Controlled Access Facilities
  7. Ch. 140 Controlled Access Facilities Amendment (6/6/17)

Building and Property Regulations

  1. Ch. 145 Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures
  2. Ch. 146 Manufactured and Mobile Homes
  3. Ch. 150 Building Numbering
  4. Ch. 151 Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants
  5. Ch. 152 Signs
  6. Ch. 154 Wireless Telecommunications Facilities Siting
  7. Ch. 155 Building and Construction Regulations
  1. Ch. 155 Building and Construction Regulations Amendment (10/18/16)
  2. Ch. 155.10, Section 4 National Electric Code Amendment (1/19/16)
  3. Ch. 155.10 Sec 4 National Electric Code Amendment (2/19/19)
  4. Ch. 156 Fire Protection Code
  5. Ch. 156 Fire Prevention Amendment (10/18/16)
  6. Ch. 160 Flood Plain Regulations

Current Building & Fire Codes in use:

Chapter 155:
2015 International Building Code (IBC)
2015 International Residential Code (IRC)
2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC)
2015 International Existing Building Codre ((IEBC)
2015 International Energy Code (IEC)
2012 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
2017 National Electric Code (NEC)

Chapter 156:
2015 International Fire Code (IFC)


Zoning and Subdivisions

  1. Ch. 165 Subdivision Regulations
  2. Ch. 166 Airport Zoning Regulations
  3. Ch. 166 Airport Zoning Regulations Amendment (11/7/17)
  4. Ch. 167 Zoning Regulations
  5. Ch. 167.06-167.11 Zoning Districts Amendment (6/26/18)