Home Building
Nevada, IA
A new house in Nevada, the Story County seat, comes with a square-foot permit fee and two utility connection fees. It also needs a certificate of occupancy before move-in. The city takes applications through Cloudpermit and inspects with its own staff. Here is what Nevada charges and checks.
- Nevada at a glance
Nevada, Iowa in figures
Nevada has grown slowly and steadily, from 4,227 residents in 1960 to 6,925 in the 2020 Census. More than seven in ten homes are owner-occupied, and the median value is $182,400. Figures come from the Census Bureau, the state data center and Story County.
6,974
July 2025 Census estimate
4,227 to 6,925
Residents, 1960 to 2020
71.9%
Owner-occupied housing rate
1853
Chosen as Story County seat
$75 + $0.25/sq ft
Residential building permit fee
Half
Plan review, share of permit
$200 each
Water and sewer connection
10,000 sq ft
Minimum R-1 lot size
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census, July 2025 estimate, ACS 2020 to 2024); State Data Center of Iowa (1960); Story County history; Nevada fee appendix; Nevada Code 165.09.
- Permits and rules
New home rules in Nevada, step by step
Nevada requires a building permit for every new house, priced by the square foot, with plan review paid up front. The city adopts the state building code and issues a certificate of occupancy at the end. These six cards cover each step in between.
Applying through Cloudpermit
Nevada processes building permits through Cloudpermit, an online portal. Staff review each application for code compliance before it is approved. Questions go to the Building and Zoning Official at City Hall, 1209 6th Street, or 515-382-5466. The current official joined the city in April 2026 and handles both zoning and building.
Which code applies
City code section 156.04 adopts the Iowa State Building Code by reference, including the one- and two-family dwelling code. Nevada does not print an edition year on its own pages, so we confirm the edition in force with the city. Public improvements, such as work tied into city streets and utilities, follow the statewide SUDAS design manuals under section 155.03.
Fees by the square foot
A new house pays $75 plus $0.25 per square foot for the building permit. Plan review costs one-half of the building permit fee and is due when plans are submitted. Plumbing runs $35 plus $2 per fixture unit, electrical $35 plus $2 per circuit, and mechanical $35 plus $2 per gas outlet.
Water and sewer hookups
Each new home pays a $200 water connection fee and a $200 sewer connection fee. Tap fees are separate and scale with pipe size, starting at $150 for the smallest. Properties outside city limits pay $600 more. Driveway or utility work in the street needs a $50 right-of-way license and a $20 excavation permit.
Lot size and zoning
R-1 lots need at least 10,000 square feet for a single-family home, and buildings may cover no more than 35 percent of the lot. R-2 lots need 8,000 square feet and allow 45 percent coverage. Houses may stand up to 38 feet tall. The city posted a new zoning map in June 2026 that shows each lot’s district.
Inspections and move-in
Nevada inspects new homes with its own staff. Each inspection must be requested 24 hours ahead and is handled first come, first served. Under section 103.15, sump pump water may not drain into the sanitary sewer. Section 156.32 says no one may occupy the house until the building official issues a certificate of occupancy.
- Our process
How Busy Builders builds your Nevada new home
We start by confirming your lot’s zoning district and coverage limit, then size the house plan to fit it. Plan review is due when plans go in through Cloudpermit, so we budget that fee from day one, along with both $200 connection fees. Our licensed subcontractors pull the plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits at the city’s per-fixture, per-circuit and per-outlet rates. We request each inspection a day ahead and close out with the certificate of occupancy.
Busy Builders is a registered Iowa contractor, DIAL C140184, and completes more than 100 projects a year across Central Iowa.
- Zoning and lot coverage checked before design
- Permit, plan review and hookup fees in your budget
- Every inspection requested 24 hours ahead
Our path to occupancy
- Achievement
Trusted Home Building Contractors in Nevada, IA
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Building in Nevada, IA
What does it cost to build a home in Nevada, Iowa?
Our new homes start at about $150 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. On top of construction, Nevada charges $75 plus $0.25 per square foot for the permit and half that again for plan review. Water and sewer connections add $200 each.
Which building code does Nevada enforce for new homes?
Nevada adopts the Iowa State Building Code by reference in section 156.04 of its city code, including the one- and two-family dwelling code. Because it adopts by reference without naming an edition, we confirm the edition in force with the Building and Zoning Official before plans go in.
How big does a lot need to be for a new house in Nevada?
In the R-1 district, at least 10,000 square feet for a single-family home. R-2 lots need 8,000 square feet, and R-3 lots need 6,000. Coverage limits rise from 35 percent in R-1 to 45 percent in R-2. Yard setbacks vary by district, so we confirm them with the city for your specific lot.
When can I move into a new home in Nevada?
Only after the building official issues a certificate of occupancy. Section 156.32 of the city code bars anyone from using or occupying a building that needs one until it is issued. Final inspections are requested at least 24 hours ahead and scheduled first come, first served.
Where is new housing going up in Nevada?
In July 2025 the city featured Oak Park Estates, off Highway 30 on Sixth Street. It sits on land that once held Oak Park Academy. Its first phase has 20 townhome lots and 10 single-family lots. The feature also notes direct access to the city’s bike and walking trail system. The June 2026 zoning map shows the district for any lot.
Who inspects new construction in Nevada?
The city does, through its Planning and Zoning Department. Building and Zoning Official Mike Sauer handles permits and inspections from City Hall at 1209 6th Street. Call 515-382-5466 at least 24 hours before you need an inspection. Requests are handled in the order they come in.
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