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Muscatine County moves to adopt Iowa building codes by reference, approves first reading
Summary
The Muscatine County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and approved the first of three readings to amend local construction code language to adopt the State of Iowa construction codes by reference, aligning county minimums with recent state updates including 2023 electrical changes.
Muscatine County supervisors opened a public hearing May 12 and approved the first of three readings for an ordinance that would adopt by reference the State of Iowa construction codes, making the county’s minimum building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical rules consistent with state updates.
County Development Director Eric Furnace told the board that adopting the state codes by reference will allow Muscatine County to stay aligned with state minimums without holding separate county public hearings every time the state revises those codes. He said the state updated plumbing and mechanical codes in March and will adopt the 2023 National Electrical Code effective July 1.
The change will require compliance where the state has raised standards. Furnace and board members discussed one example in the 2023 electrical update that would require GFCI protection for some 30-amp circuits for large appliances; Furnace estimated the additional material cost at roughly $80 per circuit and noted multiple circuits could multiply that cost. Board members asked Furnace to confirm whether cord-based appliance connections remain acceptable as disconnects under the new code.
Furnace also described items the county retains local control over, including limited local amendments to the building code (for instance, exemptions for very small buildings). He said the draft ordinance clarifies that small accessory structures under 200 square feet without electrical or plumbing would not require a county building permit. The draft also inserts a provision, proposed after internal discussion, allowing the county to withhold issuance of a building permit for properties with unresolved building, zoning or environmental violations or that are delinquent on property taxes.
No members of the public spoke at the hearing, and the board approved the ordinance on the first of three readings in a roll call vote. The board discussed the practical benefits of consistent codes for builders and developers who work across multiple jurisdictions.
The board will consider subsequent readings before final adoption.
