Codes and the permitting process are designed to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and ensuring public health, safety, and welfare. By following code guidelines, we ensure projects completed in the City meet minimum standards of safety and are less likely to cause injury to you, your family, your friends or future owners.

Your home or business is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your investment could be reduced. Property insurers may not cover work done without permits and inspections. If you decide to sell a home or building that has had modifications without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition, leave it unoccupied or do costly repairs. A property owner who can show that code requirements were strictly and consistently met as demonstrated by a code official's records has a strong ally if something happens to trigger a potentially destructive lawsuit.

Permits

Permits are Required for All (list not exhaustive):

• General Building Improvements (Additions, Decks, Fireplaces, Garages, New Construction, Pools, Remodels, Roofing, Siding, Windows)
• Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Work (All new installations and improvements to a property's electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning system)
• Exterior Improvements, Utilities and Work in the Right-of-Way (Driveways, Excavation, Fences > 6 FT, Porches, Retaining Walls > 4 FT, Sewer Lines, Sidewalks, Signs and Billboards, Water Lines, Wireless Communication Towers)
• Other Permitted Activities (Alarm Systems, Demolition, Fill, Flammable Liquid Storage Tanks and Pumps, Obstruction and Encroachment (Dumpster/Pod in ROW), Mobile Homes, Special Events, Street Closures and Lane Reductions, Temporary Heat)

Permits are NOT Required for:

• One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet and is located on the property in compliance with zoning regulations, building code setback requirements and/or trailer court regulations.
• Fences on residential property not over six feet high.
• Oil derricks.
• Movable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches high.
• Retaining walls which are not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids; any wood or landscape timber walls.
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000
  gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one.
• Platforms, decks, walks and driveways on private property that do no serve a door and are not more than 30 inches above grade and is not attached to a structure, and not over any basement or story below. 
• Painting, papering, carpet, resilient flooring and similar finish work. 
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 and Group U Occupancies when projecting not more than 54 inches.
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches in depth and not over 5,000 gallons, provided such swimming pools shall meet the fencing and enclosure requirements contained elsewhere in the technical codes.

Who Can Take out a Permit?
Generally, all building, specialty, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work must be performed by a licensed and bonded contractor in the City of Davenport. Contractors are required to take the permit out on behalf of the Property Owner. Exception: Property owners, with legal title and ownership of a building or structure classified as a Single-Family Dwelling, may perform new construction, remodeling or renovation without a contractor license. This exception does not apply to work pertaining to mechanical, electrical or plumbing installations nor does this exception pertain to the licensing requirements for mechanical, plumbing and electrical contractors.  

Property owners planning to do their own work under the exception must take out applicable permits at the City of Davenport Building Counter located at the Davenport Public Works Center, 1200 E 46th Street, Davenport, IA 52807, Monday through Friday 7:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., except holidays.

Other Regulations
It is important to note, there may be additional requirements and permit applications for projects depending on property zoning, if the property is located in a floodplain, or if more than one acre of land will be disturbed. Find more details at this link.