Basement Remodeling
Urbandale, IA
Remodeling a basement that is already finished in Urbandale still takes a permit, and alterations fall under the 2018 International Existing Building Code. Water rules matter too: the city now requires sump and footing drains to stay off the sanitary sewer. This page covers what Urbandale expects when an old basement is rebuilt.
- Urbandale at a glance
Urbandale through the decades
Urbandale jumped from 5,821 residents in 1960 to 14,434 in 1970, then kept growing to 45,580 by 2020. Figures come from the city and the Census Bureau.
5,821 to 14,434
Residents, 1960 to 1970
180 days
Application life with no permit
78.1%
Owner-occupied rate
48,570
Latest population estimate
2018 IEBC
Code for alterations
Chapter 59
Sump and drain disconnect rule
5.7 sq ft
Egress for a new bedroom
Reinspection fee
If work is not ready
Sources: City of Urbandale population history (1960, 1970); Urbandale Code 150.03 (permit timing); U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census, 2025 estimate, ACS 2020 to 2024); Urbandale Building Codes.
- Permits and rules
Redoing a finished basement in Urbandale
Most basement remodels in Urbandale need a permit, since the city exempts only minor repairs and small portable sheds. New bedrooms need egress, trade work needs its own permits, and the 2018 International Existing Building Code governs the alterations.
Remodel or minor repair
Urbandale’s permit rule exempts minor repairs and small, portable storage sheds, and little else. Alterations to an existing home follow the 2018 International Existing Building Code. Treat new walls, new rooms and plumbing changes as permit work, and call Building Services at 515-278-3935 if you are unsure.
New bedrooms need egress
Turning an office or rec room into a bedroom brings in the escape window rule. The opening needs 5.7 square feet of net clear area, at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high. If the sill sits high, Urbandale allows a landing to meet the 44-inch limit. The city’s Egress Window handout and code amendment give the landing sizes.
What we find behind old walls
In older Central Iowa basements, our crew most often finds mold, missing moisture barriers, poor insulation and old or unsafe wiring once walls are open. We have also redone basements other contractors botched, including concrete spilled into a sump pit and walls that collapsed because they were never fastened.
Sump and footing drains
Urbandale amended Chapter 59 by ordinance on June 17, 2025. It requires footing drains, downspouts, sump pumps and sump pits to be disconnected from the sanitary sewer. The deadline runs from the city’s notice. A remodel exposes that plumbing, which makes it a good moment to check.
Trade work under its own permits
Replacing old wiring, adding a bath or moving ductwork means separate electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits in Urbandale. Licensed trades we coordinate handle that work. A full or three-quarter bath also needs a fan vented outdoors, under the city’s amendment.
Inspections and permit timing
Inspections are booked through the Citizenserve portal. A reinspection fee may be charged if work is not complete at the visit, and correction notices can be posted at the site. An application expires after 180 days with no permit issued, with one extension of up to 180 days on request.
Sources: Urbandale Permits; Urbandale Building Codes (2018 IEBC); Urbandale Code 150.03, IRC amendments; Urbandale Code Chapter 59.
- Our process
How Busy Builders builds your Urbandale basement remodel
We start with a walk-through and look for the signs we see most: moisture marks, missing vapor barriers and dated wiring. Then we draw the new layout, size any bedroom egress to Urbandale’s landing rule, and file through Citizenserve with the trade permits. We also check whether the sump or footing drain still ties into the sanitary sewer, since Chapter 59 now bars that.
Some customers hire us after a bad experience with another contractor, and one came back for a basement remodel after we built their deck. We are registered with DIAL as C140184.
- Walk-through for moisture and wiring
- Egress and landing sized to city code
- Sump discharge checked against Chapter 59
Assess, permit, rebuild right
- Achievement
Trusted Basement Remodeling Contractors in Urbandale
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed 1,285+ projects across Central Iowa. We serve homeowners in Urbandale and the surrounding suburbs. Every project starts with a written plan and ends with a walkthrough that confirms every detail is right.
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Basement Remodeling in Urbandale
How much does a basement remodel cost in Urbandale?
It depends on what the old finish hides. Tear-out, moisture fixes, new wiring, egress for a bedroom and radon work all move the total. We give you a written estimate after a walk-through, and Urbandale’s permit fee follows its valuation schedule.
Does redoing a finished basement need a permit in Urbandale?
Almost always. The city requires a permit for nearly all construction and exempts only minor repairs and small, portable sheds. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work also need their own permits. If you are unsure, call Building Services at 515-278-3935.
My sump pump drains into the sanitary sewer. Is that allowed in Urbandale?
Not into the sanitary sewer. Chapter 59, amended in June 2025, requires sump pumps, sump pits, footing drains and downspouts to be disconnected from the sanitary sewer. The deadline comes from the city’s notice. The rule targets the sanitary line, so we confirm the approved discharge route with the city before walls close.
Which code applies to remodeling an Urbandale basement?
Urbandale adopted the 2018 International Existing Building Code for alterations to existing buildings, along with the 2018 International Residential Code. The residential code carries local amendments in section 150.03. Trade work follows the state codes the city lists, such as the 2023 National Electrical Code.
Can I add a bedroom in my Urbandale basement?
Yes. A new bedroom needs an escape opening of 5.7 square feet net clear, at least 20 inches wide and 24 inches high. If the sill is high, Urbandale allows a landing to meet the limit, and its Egress Window handout lists the sizes. Plan the window before you frame the room.
What do you usually find when old basement walls come down?
Mold, missing moisture barriers, poor insulation and old or unsafe wiring are the most common finds in older Central Iowa basements. We also repair work other contractors botched, like concrete poured into a sump pit. Radon is very common on our Des Moines-area jobs as well.
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