---
title: "Home Additions In Ankeny, IA | Busy Builders"
description: "Home additions in Ankeny, IA start at $300/sqft. Busy Builders builds room additions, primary suites, ADUs, and more. Free estimate. Call 844-435-9800."
url: "https://busybuildersiowa.com/locations/home-additions-ankeny-ia/"
---

# Home Additions
 Ankeny, IA

Ankeny’s zoning sets different side yards for one-story and taller houses, which matters the moment an addition goes up instead of out. R-1 lots also keep 35 feet clear front and back. This page covers the setbacks, drawings, footings and fee rules Ankeny applies to additions.

2020

Serving Central Iowa Since​

[Get Your Free Estimate](https://busybuildersiowa.com/contact-us/)

1285+

Completed Projects​

- Ankeny at a glance

## Ankeny lots and homes by the numbers

Ankeny covers 30.26 square miles of land and had an estimated 77,833 residents in 2025. About 71.3 percent of homes are owner-occupied. Zoning and fee figures below come from the city code and handouts.

### 30.26 sq mi

Land area, 2020 Census

### 71.3%

Owner-occupied homes

### Feb. 28, 1903

Ankeny incorporated as a town

### Two districts

Ankeny and North Polk schools

### 35 feet

R-1 front and rear yards

### 8 ft / 18 ft

R-1 one-story side yards

### 10 ft / 20 ft

R-1 side yards above one story

### $169.09 per sq ft

City valuation for additions

Sources: [U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ankenycityiowa/PST045225); [City of Ankeny history](https://ankenyiowa.gov/432/History); [Ankeny Community School District](https://www.ankenyschools.org/); [North Polk Community School District](https://www.northpolk.org/our-district).

- Permits and rules

## Ankeny addition rules: setbacks, drawings and frost depth

An Ankeny addition needs a building permit, drawings that prove code and zoning compliance, a plan check and inspections. Most of the design limits come from zoning: front, rear and side yards that change by district and by height. Here is how each rule plays out.

### Setbacks by district

R-1 lots require 35-foot front and rear yards. One-story homes need side yards of at least 8 feet, 18 feet combined; taller homes need 10 feet and 20 feet. In R-2 and R-3, a single family home keeps a 30-foot front yard and a 35-foot rear yard. One-story side yards there are 7 feet, totaling 15 feet.

### Going up instead of out

A second-story addition changes the side yard math in Ankeny. In R-1, the minimum grows from 8 to 10 feet, and the combined total from 18 to 20 feet. In R-2 and R-3 they grow from 7 to 8 feet and from 15 to 17. Houses may reach 35 feet and 3 stories.

### Drawings and plan check

Ankeny’s handout says construction drawings must show all proposed work and details of how it meets building codes and zoning ordinances. Every addition goes through an application, a plan check review and one or more inspections. Plans are filed as PDFs through Ankeny One Stop.

### Footings and frost depth

Ankeny’s amended design table puts the frost line at 42 inches, so addition footings go at least that deep. The same table calls for a 33 psf ground snow load, which sizes the roof framing on the new space. Footing drains must discharge to a sump pump kept separate from the sanitary sewer.

### ADUs, sunrooms and garages

Iowa’s SF 592 lets an accessory dwelling unit reach up to 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the house, whichever is larger. Cities cannot require owner occupancy. In Ankeny, sunrooms and three or four season porches are valued like living space at $169.09 per square foot. Attached garages are valued at $66.20.

### Inspections and the fee

Inspections are requested at 515-963-3533 and usually happen within 24 to 48 hours. The permit fee comes from the valuation table, using the square-foot rates above. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work on an addition each carry a $50 flat permit fee.

Sources: [Ankeny Residential Building Setbacks handout](https://ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/983/Residential-Building-Setbacks-Handout-PDF); [Ankeny zoning, R-1 district](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-8910); [Ankeny Building Permits handout](https://ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/992/Building-Permits-Handout-PDF); [Ankeny amended Table R301.2](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25975); [Ankeny fee schedule, Exhibit A](https://ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/934/Fee-Schedule-PDF).

- Our process

## How Busy Builders builds your Ankeny home addition

We look up your lot’s zoning district and measure the yards before any sketch, because Ankeny’s side yards change with the number of stories. Drawings then show code and zoning compliance for the plan check. Footings go below the 42-inch frost line, and footing drains tie to a sump that stays off the sanitary sewer.

Additions are among the most common jobs in our more than 100 projects a year. We build storm shelters, safe rooms and attached garages on request as part of an addition. Busy Builders is a registered Iowa contractor, DIAL C140184.

- Zoning district and yards checked first
- Drawings built for Ankeny's plan check
- Footings below the 42-inch frost line

[See Our Full Home Additions Process](https://busybuildersiowa.com/home-additions/)

Our addition process

### Setbacks before sketches

![Two-story home addition by Busy Builders with exterior finishes matched to the original house](https://busybuildersiowa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_2553-e1784603315103-768x374.jpeg)

- Achievement

## Trusted Home Addition Contractors in Ankeny

Since 2020, Busy Builders has completed more than 1,285 projects across Central Iowa.

1285+

Completed Projects​

90+

Crew and Trade Partners​

2020

Serving Central Iowa Since​

- Frequently Asked Questions

## FAQs About Home Additions in Ankeny

What does a home addition cost in Ankeny?

Additions with Busy Builders start at about $300 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. Ankeny’s permit fee is separate. The city values addition space at $169.09 per square foot to set it, and that is a fee basis, not a building price.

How close to my property line can an Ankeny addition go?

It depends on your zoning district and the number of stories. In R-1, keep 35 feet in front and back and at least 8 feet on each side, 18 feet total, for one story. Above one story, the sides become 10 feet and 20 feet. Planned unit developments set their own setbacks, so we check the plat.

Can I build a second story addition in Ankeny?

Yes, within the height limit of 35 feet and 3 stories for residential buildings. Your side yards must meet the larger setback for homes over one story. The 33 psf ground snow load and 107 mph wind speed in Ankeny’s design table shape the new roof and walls.

Can I add an ADU to my Ankeny home?

State law SF 592 lets an accessory dwelling unit be up to 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the house, whichever is larger. Cities, including Ankeny, cannot require the owner to live on site. The unit still needs a permit and must meet Ankeny’s setbacks and code.

Is a sunroom an addition in Ankeny?

For fees, yes. Ankeny’s schedule values three or four season porches and sunrooms at $169.09 per square foot, the same rate as new dwelling space. They need drawings, a plan check and inspections like any addition. Footings still reach the 42-inch frost line.

Can Busy Builders add a storm shelter or garage to my Ankeny addition?

Yes. We build storm shelters, safe rooms and attached garages on request as part of an addition. Ankeny values an attached garage at $66.20 per square foot for the permit fee. Its electrical permit for addition work is a $50 flat fee.

```

```

```

```

- Newest Blogs

## Home Addition Blogs for Ankeny Homeowners

[Learn More About Home Additions](https://busybuildersiowa.com/category/home-additions-blogs/)

[Oct 9, 2026By Blake Daniels ### ADU vs Basement Suite for Aging Parents in West Des Moines Read More An ADU or a basement suite for a parent moving in? Iowa SF 592, costs, appraisal treatment and step-free access compared for West Des Moines.An ADU or a basement suite for a parent moving in? Iowa SF 592, costs, appraisal treatment and step-free access compared for West Des Moines.An ADU or a basement suite for a parent moving in? Iowa SF 592, costs, appraisal treatment and step-free access compared for West Des Moines.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/adu-vs-basement-suite-aging-parents-west-des-moines/)[Sep 29, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Basement Addition vs Second-Story Addition in Ankeny: Which Way to Grow Read More Basement addition or second-story addition in Ankeny: cost, permits, appraisal value and disruption compared for ranch and split-level homes.Basement addition or second-story addition in Ankeny: cost, permits, appraisal value and disruption compared for ranch and split-level homes.Basement addition or second-story addition in Ankeny: cost, permits, appraisal value and disruption compared for ranch and split-level homes.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/basement-addition-vs-second-story-addition-ankeny/)[Sep 12, 2026By Blake Daniels ### Home Addition Cost in Pleasant Hill, Iowa: 2026 Guide Read More Home additions in Pleasant Hill start at $300 per square foot. Cost by type, Iowa frost line rules, and how suburban lot constraints affect the plan.Home additions in Pleasant Hill start at $300 per square foot. Cost by type, Iowa frost line rules, and how suburban lot constraints affect the plan.Home additions in Pleasant Hill start at $300 per square foot. Cost by type, Iowa frost line rules, and how suburban lot constraints affect the plan.](https://busybuildersiowa.com/home-addition-cost-pleasant-hill-iowa-2026/)

Tagged [Ankeny](https://busybuildersiowa.com/tag/ankeny/)

```json
{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Service","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/locations\/home-additions-ankeny-ia\/#service","name":"Home Additions in Ankeny, IA | Busy Builders","description":"Ankeny is one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities, and its established neighborhoods from the late 1990s and 2000s are now full of families who have outgrown their original floor plans.","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/locations\/home-additions-ankeny-ia\/","image":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2554.jpeg","serviceType":"Home Additions","provider":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#organization"},"areaServed":[{"@type":"City","name":"Ankeny"},{"@type":"State","name":"Iowa"}],"serviceArea":{"@type":"GeoCircle","geoMidpoint":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":"41.7317","longitude":"-93.6001"},"geoRadius":"48280"},"hasOfferCatalog":{"@type":"OfferCatalog","name":"Home Additions Services in Ankeny, Iowa","itemListElement":[{"@type":"Offer","itemOffered":{"@type":"Service","name":"Consultation and Estimate"}},{"@type":"Offer","itemOffered":{"@type":"Service","name":"Design and Planning"}},{"@type":"Offer","itemOffered":{"@type":"Service","name":"Permitting and Inspections"}},{"@type":"Offer","itemOffered":{"@type":"Service","name":"Construction and Build-Out"}},{"@type":"Offer","itemOffered":{"@type":"Service","name":"Final Walkthrough and Completion"}}]},"offers":{"@type":"Offer","availability":"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock","areaServed":{"@type":"City","name":"Ankeny"},"priceSpecification":{"@type":"PriceSpecification","priceCurrency":"USD"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"CommunicateAction","name":"Request a Free Estimate","target":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/contact-us\/"}},{"@type":"Place","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#place","geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":"41.6060855","longitude":"-93.8051957"},"hasMap":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/search\/?api=1&query=41.6060855,-93.8051957","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"111 S 49th Street","addressRegion":"IA","postalCode":"50265","addressCountry":"US","addressLocality":"West Des Moines"}},{"@type":["GeneralContractor","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#organization","name":"Busy Builders","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BusyBuilderz","https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/ia\/west-des-moines\/profile\/remodel-contractors\/busy-builders-llc-0664-32137323","https:\/\/www.desmoinesregister.com\/press-release\/story\/30329\/busy-builders-expands-services-to-custom-home-building-in-central-iowa\/","https:\/\/nextdoor.com\/pages\/busy-builders-west-des-moines-ia\/","https:\/\/busybuildersllc.quora.com\/Busy-Builders-LLC-is-a-West-Des-Moines-IA-General-Contractor-company-focused-on-home-enhancement-through-remodeling-and","https:\/\/www.city-data.com\/business-entities\/IA\/BUSY-BUILDERS-LLC-644057-IA.html","https:\/\/www.homeadvisor.com\/rated.BusyBuildersLLCHome.125418287.html","https:\/\/share.google\/CwLFRDUlwAA3jdC6I","https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/DigdFS58XfGad2h57","https:\/\/www.trustindex.io\/reviews\/busybuildersiowa.com","https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q139699968"],"email":"info@busybuildersiowa.com","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"111 S 49th Street","addressRegion":"IA","postalCode":"50265","addressCountry":"US","addressLocality":"West Des Moines"},"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#logo","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/cropped-cropped-Untitled-design-57.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/cropped-cropped-Untitled-design-57.png","caption":"Busy Builders","inLanguage":"en-US","width":"512","height":"147"},"priceRange":"$$$","openingHours":["Mo,Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa,Su 08:00-18:00"],"description":"Busy Builders is a full-service home construction and remodeling contractor based in West Des Moines and serving homeowners across Central Iowa, including Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, Urbandale, and surrounding communities. Founded in 2020 after decades in the trades, the company specializes in custom home building, whole-home remodeling, kitchen and bathroom renovations, basement finishing and remodeling, home additions, and custom deck construction. Every project is managed from design through completion with a focus on transparent communication, honest pricing, detailed planning, and craftsmanship built to handle everyday life, helping families create functional, beautiful spaces that are made to last for generations. We are a registered and insured Iowa contractor; Iowa Contractor Registration #C140184.","legalName":"Busy Builders LLC","foundingDate":"2020-01-01","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","value":"90"},"location":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#place"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#logo"},"telephone":"844-435-9800"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com","name":"Busy Builders","alternateName":"Busybuildersiowa.com","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2554.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2554.jpeg","width":"1920","height":"1440","caption":"New home under construction at the house-wrap stage on an open Central Iowa lot","inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/locations\/home-additions-ankeny-ia\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":"1","item":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com","name":"Home"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":"2","item":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/locations\/home-additions-ankeny-ia\/","name":"Home Additions in Ankeny, IA | Busy Builders"}}]},{"@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/locations\/home-additions-ankeny-ia\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/locations\/home-additions-ankeny-ia\/","name":"Home Additions In Ankeny, IA | Busy Builders","datePublished":"2026-04-08T18:09:23-05:00","dateModified":"2026-10-01T15:14:33-05:00","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2554.jpeg"},"inLanguage":"en-US","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/busybuildersiowa.com\/locations\/home-additions-ankeny-ia\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What does a home addition cost in Ankeny?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Additions with Busy Builders start at about $300 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. Ankeny’s permit fee is separate. The city values addition space at $169.09 per square foot to set it, and that is a fee basis, not a building price."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How close to my property line can an Ankeny addition go?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It depends on your zoning district and the number of stories. In R-1, keep 35 feet in front and back and at least 8 feet on each side, 18 feet total, for one story. Above one story, the sides become 10 feet and 20 feet. Planned unit developments set their own setbacks, so we check the plat."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I build a second story addition in Ankeny?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, within the height limit of 35 feet and 3 stories for residential buildings. Your side yards must meet the larger setback for homes over one story. The 33 psf ground snow load and 107 mph wind speed in Ankeny’s design table shape the new roof and walls."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I add an ADU to my Ankeny home?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"State law SF 592 lets an accessory dwelling unit be up to 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the house, whichever is larger. Cities, including Ankeny, cannot require the owner to live on site. The unit still needs a permit and must meet Ankeny’s setbacks and code."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is a sunroom an addition in Ankeny?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"For fees, yes. Ankeny’s schedule values three or four season porches and sunrooms at $169.09 per square foot, the same rate as new dwelling space. They need drawings, a plan check and inspections like any addition. Footings still reach the 42-inch frost line."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can Busy Builders add a storm shelter or garage to my Ankeny addition?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. We build storm shelters, safe rooms and attached garages on request as part of an addition. Ankeny values an attached garage at $66.20 per square foot for the permit fee. Its electrical permit for addition work is a $50 flat fee."}}]}]}
```