Polk County Planning & Zoning Department is charged with interpreting, applying, and enforcing the rules and regulations found within the Polk County Zoning Ordinance and those required by State or Federal Law.

Polk County's Zoning Ordinance is applied countywide, excluding incorporated municipalities. Polk County participates in cooperative joint zoning with those Townships that wanted to retain local control of township-specific issues.

Permits are required for any improvement to the property, unless specifically exempted by the Ordinance. A fee is charged for any permit, based upon the fee schedule adopted by the Polk County Board of Commissioners.

Permit requirements vary depending on the site location within its Zoning District (Ag, Village, Commercial, Industrial) or its Special Overlay District (Shoreland, Flood Plains). It is encouraged that the property owner contact Planning & Zoning staff to inquire about their specific situation prior to finalizing plans and submitting permit applications.

Polk County has established a separate Board of Adjustment to hear variance requests and a Planning Commission to hear applications for Conditional Use Permits, Plats, Ordinance Amendments, Rezones and Administrative Reviews.