Administrator/ |
The Harrison Co. Environmental Assessment Ordinance requires that the septic system be inspected prior to or during any change in ownership of a property. If you are selling or purchasing a property, please be aware that this inspection will take place. This ordinance also requires that any abandoned well be plugged accordingly. A Guide to Country Living |
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Private Well Permits & Water Testing
Currently, 45% of the private wells in the state, which serve 9% of the population, are considered unsafe for drinking due to bacterial contamination.
Also, nearly one in every five private wells contain unsafe levels of nitrite, a common challenge in agricultural states that use heavy levels of fertilizers.
Nitrite in water supplies can be life-threatening at certain levels and cause 'blue baby syndrome'. The water testing program provides standards
for construction of private water wells. Enforcement of construction standards protects area drinking water aquifers from contamination. The
Environmental Health Department administers the Grants to Counties program, which includes water testing, well plugging, and well rehabilitation. The
Environmental Health Department offers water testing services free to any private well owner. These water tests are used to determine the level of
contaminants in the water sample and to verify that the water from the well is safe to drink. Samples of water from the well site are collected in the
county and sent to the Hygienic Lab at the University of Iowa in Iowa City for analysis.
Other services offered are well permits for new well construction and reconstructed wells and water well certification associated with property transfers.
On-site review and approval is required for all new well construction. Information about grant assistance with the plugging of abandoned wells is also available.
Contact Matt Pitt for more information or to make an appointment.
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Private Septic Permits & Inspections
Homeowners interested in constructing a home away from a city sewer system may contact the Environmental Health Department for information regarding the licensing and inspection of septic system construction. County residents interested in having an existing septic system inspected for compliance with public health standards prior to the purchase of a rural property may also call for an on-site evaluation of the septic system. The following inspections are required for new construction:
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Other Health-Related Situations
The Environmental Health Department is charged with enforcing the county nuisance codes.
Please call Matt Pitt to report health-related situations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Downloadable Forms and Ordinances
A Guide to Country Living
Harrison County Subdivision Ordinance
Harrison County Zoning Ordinance
Application for Zoning Map Amendment
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Planning and Zoning Permits
Permits to build are required for any new construction, reconstruction, or movement of any structure on a piece of property. Harrison
County Planning & Zoning issues, sites, reviews, and approves all permits for rural areas in Harrison County.
Permit to Build applications for new construction, remodeling, or repairs are available from the Planning & Zoning Department. These
forms contain information necessary to properly process your request. Also, if your new construction will be using a private sewage
disposal or water supply, you will need to have a permit issued before the building permit.
Associated permit fee information may be found by clicking here.
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Zoning Information
Zoning information about a property may be obtained from the Planning & Zoning Department. Information provided includes the
zoning of a property, building setbacks, and subdivision regulations. All rural land inquiries should be made to the Planning &
Zoning Department. A legal description or plat of survey must be submitted and the area identified on a digital photo. The Zoning
Administrator will make a determination, under the rules of the
Harrison County, Iowa Zoning Ordinance.
The Harrison County, Iowa Zoning Ordinance was adopted in February 1996 and provides the rules and procedures for zoning and building
in Harrison County. All changes in current zoning are made by the Planning and Zoning Board.
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Zoning Commission
The Zoning Administrator acts as chief advisor for the Zoning Commission. The Zoning Commission is responsible for changes in the
current zoning regulations. The Commission serves in an advisory role to the Board, reviewing and making recommendations on
implementation and updating the Harrison County Zoning Ordinance. This includes the zoning and rezoning or land and applications
for subdivisions. The Harrison County Board of Supervisors can overturn a decision made by the Zoning Commission.
Commission members are made up of five citizens appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Members serve 5 year terms and the
majority live in the unincorporated areas of the county.
Current Zoning Commission Members:
John Burbridge
Arnold Casperson
Craig Kelley
Richard McIntosh
Royl Roden
Forms and complete requirements for applications to the Zoning Commission are available in the office of the Zoning Administrator.
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Board of Adjustments
The Zoning Administrator acts as advisor to the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial board made up of five
citizens appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The majority reside in the unincorporated areas of the county and serve five year terms.
The Board hears and makes the final decision of Appeals, which are questions between an applicant and the Zoning Administrator as to
the proper interpretation of the zoning ordinance. They also decide on applications for Special Exceptions as specifically provided
in the Zoning Ordinance. The Board may authorize Variances in the application of the Ordinance where there are unusual
circumstances that would otherwise result in unnecessary hardship (physical, not economic) to a particular parcel of land if the Ordinance
is literally enforced, and the variance would not be contrary to the public interest.
Current Board of Adjustment Members:
Leroy Burbridge
Larry Green
Larry Maguire
Sandy Marquardt
Forms and complete requirements for applications to the Board of Adjustment are available in the office of the Zoning Administrator.
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E911 Rural Addressing
The Planning & Zoning Department is responsible for determining new E911 addresses for those properties in unincorporated areas of Harrison County. These addresses are based upon an "addressing grid" developed for the entire county when the Emergency 911 Addressing went into effect. You must have an address assigned to receive telephone and other services.
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Flood Plain Districts
The Planning & Zoning Department has flood plain maps for the entire county. These maps are published by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program and are used to rate property in flood prone areas. This information
is used to assess a property's value and to assist in properly zoning the area. These maps area available for reference only and are
not for distribution.
Certain areas in Harrison County have been zoned as Floodplain Districts (F-1). The F-1 district is designed
and intended to be applied by the County to properties which lie within areas where special regulations are necessary in order to minimize the
danger to life and property which results from flood waters. These regulations are further intended to protect the floodplain from
encroachments or developments which would obstruct, contain, or divert the passage of flood waters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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