City of Fort Dodge, Iowa

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• Heart of Iowa Application 2025
• Heart of Iowa Asset Certification
• Heart of Iowa Self Employment Income Statement
• Heart of Iowa Self Employment Certification
• Heart of Iowa Self Certification of Tax Return
• Heart of Iowa Self Certification of Income
• Heart of Iowa Alimony- Child Support Certification
• Heart of Iowa Zero Income Certification

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• Frequently Asked Questions

• Water Treatment Permit Application
• Downtown SSMID Map
• Gypsum City Off-Highway Vehicle Park Brochure
• Gypsum City Off-Highway Vehicle Park Trail Map
• Downtown Plan
• Downtown Historic District
• Cross-Town Connector Improvements Project Report
• Meter Operation Information

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The Board meets when an appeal is scheduled to be heard.  Five members serve 5 year terms and are appointed by the Mayor with approval from Council.

The Board has jurisdiction to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirements, decision or determination involving alternate materials, methods of construction or reasonable interpretation of the ordinances cited by the Inspector or Fire Chief responsible for enforcement.

Specific Powers and Duties:
May reverse, affirm or modify the decision of the Inspector or Fire Chief so long as such action is in conformity with the terms of Ordinance #1621.

Anyone wishing to apply for this board may contact the Inspection Department at 576-4551, ext. 1237, or print off an application form located under the "Links" tab above.

Welcome to the Fort Dodge, Iowa Brownfield Redevelopment Project.

Brownfields are "real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant."

Restoring and reclaiming brownfields helps create livable communities that meet people's everyday needs without placing the safety and health of future generations at risk. Successful brownfields projects make it possible for communities to have good schools, meaningful jobs, safe streets, healthy environments, and plenty of natural green spaces.


To learn more about the Fort Dodge Brownfields Economic Development Initiative please visit our informative website for this program at:

www.fortdodgebrownfields.com

• Building Permits - general remodel, siding, windows, roofing (only registered contractors or homeowners may complete)
• New Construction plan review requirement-1 hard copies & 1 digital (must include electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
• Sign Permits (only licensed sign erectors may complete)
• Electrical Permit
• Plumbing Permit
• Mechanical Permit
• Water Treatment Permits
• Zoning Ordinance
• Zoning Map
• *Building Permit Fee Schedule*
• Building Permit - New Homes/New Commercial Structure - ONLY (only registered contractors may complete)

CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION FORMS:

NEW REGISTRATION FORMS FOR PLUMBING/ELECTRICAL/MECHANICAL - 10/1/2024

• Building Contractor Registration Form
• Mechanical Contractor Registration Form
• Plumbing Contractor Registration Form
• Electrical Contractor Registration Form
• Demolition Contractor Registration

CODE SECTIONS:

• Roofing and Siding 2015 Code Regulations
• Egress Windows Regulations
• Smoke Detector Regulations - CHANGES COMING 07012022
• Fencing Regulations
• Stairs - tread/risers
• Fall Protection - railings
• Carbon Monoxide Protectors
• Swimming Pools
• ADA Grab Bars - Restrooms
• ADA Signage
• Guard Rail Requirements For Raised Walkways

Current Bid Projects

⚠️ Please note: Each document is large and will open in a new window. Adobe Reader is required to view the files.

Available Bidding Opportunities

Explore the links above for details on current projects, including:

• • Redevelopment Bid Proposals

  • Homes for Sale

  • Demolition Bids

  • Asbestos Bids

Economic Development Division

The Economic Development Division supports growth and investment in Fort Dodge by fostering a strong business climate and creating opportunities for development. The division works closely with local businesses, developers, and community partners to encourage job creation, expand the tax base, and promote Fort Dodge as a great place to live, work, and invest.

Through business retention and expansion efforts, redevelopment initiatives, and targeted incentive programs, the division helps guide projects that strengthen the community and align with the City’s long-term vision. Whether assisting an existing business with expansion or welcoming a new company to town, Economic Development is committed to building a vibrant and prosperous Fort Dodge.

The Heart of Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund (HIRHTF) will assist individuals with rehabilitating and repairing owner-occupied housing in the six-county region.  Activities funded will serve households with incomes less than the graph below. A minimum of 30% of the distributions will benefit extremely low-income households (with less than 30% of the area’s median family income).

Program Guidelines

Eligible Properties:

·         Owner-occupied single-family homes

·         Located within the boundaries of Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster, or Wright Counties

·         Property must be in habitable condition, as an initial inspection determines.

·         Life estates are not eligible.

·         Homes being purchased on contract are not eligible.

·         Mobile homes are not eligible.

Eligible Participants:

·         Must meet the current established income guidelines.

·         Property taxes must be current.

·         City-provided utilities must be current at the time of application.

·         Liquid assets must be less than $25,000.

·         Must hold a county-recorded deed and occupy the property as their primary residence.

·         Must be current on any outstanding mortgage loans against the property.

Eligible Activities:

·         Any building, plumbing, electrical or mechanical code deficiencies

·         Any lead hazard reduction activities

·         Any activity to improve energy efficiency.

·         Any activity that makes a property accessible for persons with disabilities (bathrooms, ramps, sidewalks, etc.)

·         Other similar repair needs

Underwriting Requirements:

·         Applicant shall supply all needed documentation to verify application data.

·         Applicants must obtain at least one quote for proposed work (HIRHTF reserves the right to require an additional quote). If multiple bids are made and the applicant chooses not to take the lowest quote, the applicant will be responsible for paying the difference in cost.

·         All contractors, electricians, plumbers, or others performing approved work will hold required registrations or licenses.

·         An initial inspection will be required to verify the work needed.

·         A final inspection will be required after the project is completed.

·         Following approval of final inspection, the contractor will be paid directly from the HIRHTF.

Terms:

·         Maximum of up to $15,000 per household

·         5-year forgivable loan, with 20% forgiven each year

·         Secured by a mortgage filed against the subject property.

·         Should the applicant sell or move from the property before the 5-year term expires, funds will be recaptured based on the percentage of the loan balance remaining.

Prioritization Criteria:

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-ready-to-proceed basis.  With Board approval, priority may be given to applicants meeting any of the following criteria who were not previously assisted and have critical housing repair needs:

·         Households with income at or below 30% AMI

·        Persons with disabilities

·        Persons at age 62 or older

·        Projects considered an emergency, as deemed by the Board.

*State Housing Trust Fund Income Limits for Owner-occupied Projects

(Income limits are effective June 09, 2025, and subject to change without notice)

For more information, please contact:

Jessica Coon

819 1^st Avenue South

Fort Dodge, IA  50501

515.576.4551, Ext. 1253

jcoon@fortdodgeiowa.org

Specific Powers and Duties:

• Promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the recognition, enhancement and perpetuation of sites and districts of historical and cultural significance;

Nuisance Complaints within the city limits of Fort Dodge include:

• Junk in yards, including: garbage, debris, construction materials, tires, mattresses, household furniture, appliances, tvs, brush piles and etc.
• Tall grass/weeds that have grown to over 10" in length
• Vehicles, including: junk, unlicensed or parked in the front yard on the owner's property
• Property Maintenance Code violations

All of the above complaints can be submitted by texting "NUISANCE" to (515) 408-9888.

Please note that vehicles parked on the street for more than 24 hours or vehicles parked across sidewalks should be reported to the Police Non-Emergency number ((515) 573-2323)

Issues not addressed in nuisance code:

• Sump pumps (Contact Engineering)
• Garbage or recycling receptacles (Contact Public Works)
• Animal waste (Contact Police Non-Emergency)
• Junk or unlicensed vehicles in the right-of-way area and street (Contact Police Non-Emergency)
• Generators/noise complaints (Contact Zoning or Police Non-Emergency)
• Living in campers (Contact Zoning)
• Maintenance of City owned properties (Contact Business Affairs regarding structures and Parks and Rec for grass/trees and City parks)
• Repair shops or businesses run out of a home (Contact Zoning)

The Fort Dodge Public Art Commission is a group of community-minded individuals that support the establishment and perpetuation of public art in Fort Dodge. The Commission was created by Ordinance #2304 adopted by the Fort Dodge City Council in July 8, 2019, which established a Commission consisting of nine voting members. The duties of the Commission per Ordinance #2304 are as follows:

"The Public Art Commission shall plan and oversee public art projects and initiatives that further the City's vision in relation to public art. Duties include providing public art recommendations to the City Council, and planning and implementing projects and initiatives based on the City's adopted plans and/or policies. The Commission may appoint various Sub-committees to to further their efforts."

To view a list of the Public Art Commission's projects, please visit their website at fortdodgepublicart.org. 

What is a SSMID? A Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District, or SSMID, is a tool communities in Iowa can use to help fund public improvement and maintenance projects within a specified area. SSMID funds are created through an additional tax placed on property owners in the defined District. A SSMID may only be established after enough property owners initiate their support through a voluntary petition process. A SSMID Board of Directors is responsible for setting project priorities and making recommendations for expenditures of the SSMID funds. The City Council ultimately considers and approves the expenditures recommended by the Board.

Fort Dodge is not alone in using SSMIDs - Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Davenport, Newton, Webster City, and others have at least one SSMID. These SSMIDs promote continued economic development/redevelopment and business growth/retention within the adopted Districts.

*Fort Dodge has two separate Self-Supported Municipal Improvement Districts (SSMIDS)*

Downtown SSMID

The Downtown SSMID has been in place since 1982. The Downtown SSMID funds are now administered by Main Street Fort Dodge, who determines project priorities and expenditures, which are reported to the City Council bi-annually.  Visit the Main Street Fort Dodge website for further information!

Downtown SSMID Map

Corridor SSMID

The second SSMID is the Corridor Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (CSSMID), which was established in November 2017 and exists along 5^th Avenue South from South 15^th Street eastward to South 32^nd Street. CSSMID will focus its efforts on right-of-way maintenance for mowing and snow removal beginning in the mowing season of 2018. Funds may also be used to help fund other public improvement projects within the CSSMID.

Corridor SSMID Map

CSSMID By-Laws - will be uploaded soon! 

The seven member CSSMID Board, made up of property owners or their designees, governs the use of CSSMID funds with approval of the City Council.