Deck Building Winterset, Iowa
Winterset had 5,353 residents in the 2020 Census. The city removed the small-deck exemption from its residential code, so every deck needs a permit. Veenstra and Kimm handles the inspections. This page covers what Winterset asks for, from site plan to final.
- Winterset at a glance
Winterset in numbers
Winterset counted 3,631 people in 1940 and 3,654 in 1970, then grew to 5,353 by 2020. The median owner-occupied home is worth $192,500. Deck rules below come from the 2026 municipal code book and the city’s permit packet.
5,520
2025 Census Bureau estimate
2,921 to 5,353
Residents, 1930 to 2020
$192,500
Median owner-occupied home value
3 to 5 days
Permit review, business days
42 inches
Attached deck post hole depth
8 percent
Open deck share of valuation
24 hours
Notice to book an inspection
30 feet
R-2 rear yard depth
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census, July 2025 estimate, ACS 2020 to 2024); State Data Center of Iowa (1930 to 2000); City of Winterset, About Winterset; Winterset Municipal Code Book 2026.
- Permits and rules
Winterset deck permits, step by step
Every deck in Winterset needs a building permit, because the city deleted the code exemption for small, low decks. You file at City Hall with a site plan. Veenstra and Kimm, the city’s contracted inspectors, check the post holes and the finished deck.
No size exemption
The model residential code lets small, low, freestanding decks skip a permit. Winterset deleted that exemption in its 2021 code amendments. A small landing deck now needs the same permit as a large wraparound deck. The application form has separate boxes for an open deck and a covered deck.
Site plan and application
Attach a site plan, drawings or building plans to the application. The site plan must show the distance from every building to every lot line, and between buildings. The form also asks for the deck’s square footage. City Hall is at 124 W. Court Avenue, and the guide says review takes 3 to 5 business days.
Post holes and footings
For a deck attached to the house, the inspector checks the post holes before concrete goes in. Holes must be at least 42 inches deep. That matches the city’s amended foundation table, which sets footings 42 inches below grade. We confirm footing details for any freestanding deck at plan review.
Scheduling inspections
Call Veenstra and Kimm at 515-850-2980 or email BuildingInspection@v-k.net with 24 hours of notice. Inspections run from 8:00 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. Winterset’s code says covering work before inspection can get the permit revoked. A final inspection closes out the deck.
How the fee is figured
Winterset values a deck by its square footage times the ICC cost for a new wood-frame home, then takes a share. Open decks count at 8 percent, screened porches at 15 and three-season porches at 50. Starting work before the permit doubles the fee. The form also lists a 10 percent Home Base Iowa discount.
Yards and stairs
Single-family lots in R-1 and R-2 use the same yards: 30 feet at the front and rear, and 5 feet on a side. The code has no deck-specific yard rule, so we confirm placement with the Zoning Department. An exterior stair of four risers or fewer needs no top landing if the door does not swing over it.
- Our process
How Busy Builders builds your Winterset deck
Winterset’s packet asks for a site plan with distances to every lot line, so we draw that first and file the application at City Hall. Once the permit is issued, we dig the post holes to at least 42 inches and call Veenstra and Kimm a full day ahead. Nothing gets poured until the holes pass. Then we frame, set the guards and stairs, and book the final.
Busy Builders is a registered Iowa contractor (DIAL C140184). We finish more than 100 projects a year, with more than 1,285 completed since 2020. Some customers come to us after a bad experience with another contractor, and they say so in their reviews.
- Site plan with every lot line distance
- Post holes dug to 42 inches and inspected
- Inspections booked a full day ahead
City Hall to final sign-off
- Achievement
Trusted Deck Builders in Winterset
Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 construction and remodeling projects across Central Iowa.
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Deck Building in Winterset
How much does a deck cost in Winterset?
We do not publish deck price ranges. Size, height, stairs, railing style and composite versus treated wood drive the number. We measure your yard and send a written estimate. The city fee is separate. Winterset values an open deck at 8 percent of the ICC wood-frame cost per square foot. It then applies its fee schedule.
Does a small deck need a permit in Winterset?
Yes. Winterset deleted the model code exemption that lets small, low, freestanding decks skip a permit. That makes the city stricter than the code it adopted. Even a small step-down deck needs a building permit and inspections. We file it with City Hall for you.
How deep do deck post holes go in Winterset?
At least 42 inches for a deck attached to the house. The inspection sheet in the city’s permit packet sets that depth, and the inspector checks the holes before concrete is poured. Winterset’s amended foundation table also uses 42 inches below grade for footings.
Who inspects decks in Winterset, and how do I book it?
Veenstra and Kimm, a West Des Moines firm, inspects for the city. Call 515-850-2980 or email BuildingInspection@v-k.net at least 24 hours ahead. Inspections run from 8:00 to 4:30 on weekdays. The city lists Rich Parker of Veenstra and Kimm as its building inspections contact.
Can I add a roof or screens to my Winterset deck?
Yes. The permit form has a box for a covered deck, so tell us early and we apply for the right type. A screened porch is valued at 15 percent of the ICC cost per square foot. A seasonal room needs 6 by 6 treated posts on frost-free footings, or an engineered foundation. Heating or cooling it brings the full building code into play.
What happens if work starts before the permit?
Winterset’s application says the regular fee doubles when work starts before the permit is issued. The packet also says work should begin within 180 days of issue. The city’s documents differ on how long a permit lasts after that, so we confirm the dates when the permit is issued.
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