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Back To: Hardin County | Your Government | Planning & Zoning

Planning & Zoning

The Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for planning, zoning regulations, and building in the unincorporated area of Hardin County. This department:

  • Issues building permits and zoning permits 
  • Performs zoning inspections by enforcing our zoning ordinance 
  • Handle requests for rezoning variances, conditional use permits, temporary use permits, and special user permits 
  • Schedules meetings and public hearings for the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment 
  • Handles all major and minor subdivision requests 
  • Handle request for home industry or home occupations

Why Planning & Zoning?

The mission of the Planning and Zoning Department is to comply with and educate the public of the regulations that have been developed in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan for Hardin County.

Reason for Regulations

These regulations have been adopted in order to:

Improve safety from fire, flood, and other emergency disasters. 

  • Improve safety from fire, flood, and other emergency disasters.
  • Protect the health and general welfare of county residents.
  • Provide adequate light and air.
  • Prevent overcrowding of land.
  • Avoid undue concentration of population.
  • Protect significant natural and historic resources and fragile ecosystems of the county, including forests, wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes and shorelines, aquifers, prairies, and recreational areas.
  • Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements.

These regulations have been made with reasonable consideration, among other things, as to the character of the district and the peculiar suitability of such an area for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of the land throughout Hardin County.

The Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for planning, zoning regulations, and building in the unincorporated area of Hardin County. This department:

  • Issues building permits and zoning permits 
  • Performs zoning inspections by enforcing our zoning ordinance 
  • Handle requests for rezoning variances, conditional use permits, temporary use permits, and special user permits 
  • Schedules meetings and public hearings for the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Adjustment 
  • Handles all major and minor subdivision requests 
  • Handle request for home industry or home occupations

Why Planning & Zoning?

The mission of the Planning and Zoning Department is to comply with and educate the public of the regulations that have been developed in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan for Hardin County.

Reason for Regulations

These regulations have been adopted in order to:

Improve safety from fire, flood, and other emergency disasters. 

  • Improve safety from fire, flood, and other emergency disasters.
  • Protect the health and general welfare of county residents.
  • Provide adequate light and air.
  • Prevent overcrowding of land.
  • Avoid undue concentration of population.
  • Protect significant natural and historic resources and fragile ecosystems of the county, including forests, wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes and shorelines, aquifers, prairies, and recreational areas.
  • Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements.

These regulations have been made with reasonable consideration, among other things, as to the character of the district and the peculiar suitability of such an area for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of the land throughout Hardin County.

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FAQs

What do I need to obtain a driveway permit?

Driveway permits must be obtained from the Engineer's Office. Contact them by phone at 641-858-5058 or visit in person at:
708 16th Street
Eldora, IA 50627

Do I need a permit to build a structure other than a home?

Yes. Hardin County requires that a permit be obtained before any structure is erected, altered, constructed, reconstructed, or moved.

Access the Hardin County Application for a Building Permit (PDF).

Are there inspections required when building?

The Zoning Administrator will conduct and on-site review during the building permit application process. Once the permit to build has been approved and issued, no further inspections are needed.

Hardin County does not have a building inspector.

What is the minimum acreage required for building?

The minimum acreage required depends upon the zoning of the particular property. Typically, 2 acres is the minimum size lot.

Does Hardin County have floodplain maps?

Yes. Official Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps can be found in the Zoning Administrator's Office in the Hardin County Courthouse located at:
1215 Edgington Avenue
Eldora, IA 50627

There are certain restrictions when building in the floodplain. For more information, access the Hardin County Floodplain Management Ordinance (PDF).

What permits are needed when building a new house?

Typically three permits are needed in Hardin County when building a new home:

  • Building permit: $100
  • Well permit: $275
  • Septic permit: starting at $250

You can download these permits online or contact the Hardin County Zoning Administrator.

How do I get a 911 Address?

The Zoning Administrator assigns all rural 911 addresses in Hardin County. Please contact Jessica Sheridan at 641-939-8135 or by email email Jessica Sheridan to request a rural 911 address. If you need an address within the corporate limits on towns in Hardin County, you will need to contact that town's city hall.

Obtaining 911 Addresses

Team Member Jessica Sheridan -

Contact Us

Planning & Zoning Office

Physical Address

708 16th St.
Eldora IA 50627

Directions

Phone: 641-849-7372

Fax: 641-939-8245

Hours

Monday - Friday
08:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Staff

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Jessica Sheridan

Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian

Email

Phone : (641) 849-7372

*Please call ahead - Jessica is frequently out in the field and may not be in the office.