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Home MenuFrequently Asked Questions
Building Permit FAQ
- Yes, 80% of the fee may be refunded, if no work is done within 180 days of issuance.
- Yes. Simply contact Building Services at 712-224-5216 to verify if a contractor is licensed. The City requires a bond for contractors while the State of Iowa licenses electrical contractors, plumbing contractors and mechanical (heating, ventilation, AC, and refrigeration) contractors and we can verify those licenses for you.
Yes although only if licensed electrical, mechanical and plumbing contractors complete the work.
- You may contact Building Services at 712-224-5216
- Inspectors are available in the office Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm. They can be reached at 712-224-5216
- You can contact a Housing Inspector at 712-224-5216 to report rundown and unsafe housing conditions. The City also requires vacant buildings that meet certain criteria to be registered to ensure they are secured and maintained.
- Work must be commenced and an inspection requested within 180 days of permit issuance. Failure to initiate construction work and call for inspection will invalidate the permit.
- The building permit fee is based on the valuation of construction. A valuation and fee schedule is available at the Building Services Division. It is also available online.
- No person shall occupy, allow to be occupied, advertise for occupancy, solicit occupants of, or let to another person for occupancy any residential rental unit within the City that has not been permitted as residential rental unit by the City. All rental properties must be registered with the City to ensure they meet minimum housingstandards. An application is available online or at the Building Services Department. There is a minimal fee forthis annual application.
- Work done without obtaining a building permit is always a problem for both the homeowner and the inspector. The inspector cannot inspect the work if he can’t see it; hence you will be required to remove wall and/or ceiling coverings to the extent that a proper inspection may be obtained. If any code violations are noticed during the inspection process, said violations will be required to be corrected. Additionally, an individual who refuses to obtain a building permit is subject to administrative citations through the code enforcement process.
- Any homeowner who sells a house must make the buyer aware of any work which was completed without required permitsor inspections on the realty disclosure form.
- An approximate cost of the work must be provided. Site plans, foundation plans and floor plans may be required.These plan specifications and diagrams must be submitted for reviews that adequately detail how the proposed work is to be completed. The submitted plans shall be complete enough that the inspector could build the project looking at submitted plans.
- Iowa One Call at 1-800-292-8989.
A permit must be obtained for any construction work completed on a building that is regulated by the building code. If you are unsure if you need to obtain a permit call 712-224-5216. Some examples of projects that need a permit are:
- Basement or Lower Level Finish (if not done as part of new home construction)
- Additions & Remodels
- Decks more than 30” above grade
- Window & exterior door replacement (if opening size is changed)
- Accessory structures (garages, etc) in excess of 120 sq. ft.
- Building Demolition
- Fences over 72" in height and retaining walls over 48" in height
- A building permit is required to ensure code compliance for structural integrity and minimum life safety for building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems.
Cone Park FAQ
Yes. You may call the Parks & Rec office at 712-279-6126 and pay with a credit card over the phone; or, you can stop into the office and buy them with cash, check, or credit card.
- Not at this time. They may be available in the future.
- Yes. A bunny hill has been created for all ages to use. The main tubing hill is for ages 5 and up. Those under the age of 5 are welcome to use the bunny hill, sponsored by Wells Enterprises.
We will have a limited supply of double tubes available to assist small children. Minimum age is 5 years old.
Yes. Customers may bring their own ice skates.
No. Outside tubes are not allowed. Tubes are provided at Cone Park.
Yes. We offer "Snowtastic" Birthday Parties - includes 10 admissions for tubing and skating & skate rentals, 2 pizzas, 10 hot or cold beverages, 10 ice cream treats, a special tube for the birthday person, and a reserved table. More than 10 guests, you pay an additional fee per person. For more information on birthday parties, call 712-279-6126.
- No. Due to the large demand for use, discounts are not available. See Off-Hours Park Rental rates.
- The hill itself is 83 feet tall, the tubing run is about 700 feet long and 126 feet wide, and the carpet lift is 450 feet long.
- Low income passes are available at the Parks & Recreation Administrative Office at 401 Gordon Drive. Call 712-279-6126 before stopping down for required documentation.
- See the Lodge Rental Rates guide.
Reservations can be made:
- Online at https://webtrac.sioux-city.org/ Instructions to buy tubing tickets online
- Call the Parks & Recreation Office at 712-279-6126
- Stop into the Parks & Recreation Office at 401 Gordon Drive
Payment must be made a time of reservation.
A carpet lift will take you to the top of the hill. It is like an escalator.
There is a run-out area to decrease your speed and a reverse grade at the bottom of the hill to slow you down.
Parks & Recreation staff will be using a Zamboni to take care of the ice sheet.
- Yes. The fee to ice skate is $5.00. You may bring your own skates or rent skates for $3.00.
- No. Snowboarding is not currently available.
- Yes. The lodge meets all ADA requirements.
We recommend users with mobility issues utilize the Off-Hours Park Rental option for accommodations. If proper assistance is available during normal operating hours for any of these individuals, they may attend any session.
- See Cone Park Rules.
- See Cone Park Sioux City Food & Beverage list.
Cash, credit cards and debit cards are accepted. Checks are NOT accepted. ALL sales are FINAL. No refunds or exchanges.
Tubing/Skating
Times Cost
Tuesday-Thursday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm $ 7.00
Saturday & Sunday
11:00 am - 2:00 pm $ 10.00
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm $ 10.00
Sunday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm $ 7.00
Snow Glow Tubing
Times Cost
Friday & Saturday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm $ 10.00
Friday (private rental session)
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm $750.00
Saturday
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm $ 10.00
Ice Skating
Cost
Ice Skating Only (no tubing)
$5.00
Skate rentals
$3.00 - The Parks and Recreation Department would like to inform park users there are several situations that may impact the use and availability of the tubing hill and/or ice skating rink at Cone Park during the season. In consideration of our user’s safety and facility operations, we would like to inform every one of the conditions that may limit or prohibit park usage.
1. Mechanical Failure – If a mechanical failure occurs to park equipment to include the snow groomer, Zamboni, tub lift, etc., the use of the tubing hill and/or ice skating rink may be limited or prohibited.
2. Severe Cold – If the forecasted high temperature for the day is at or below zero, access to the ice skating rink and/or tubing hill may be prohibited for the safety of the public. To properly notify the public in advance, the closure will be determined by weather forecast.
3. Rain – The park will immediately close in the event of rain. Rain events cause unsafe conditions for tubers and ice skaters. Use of the facility during these conditions may also cause severe damage to the park grounds and equipment. To properly notify the public in advance, the closure will be determined by weather forecast.
4. Blizzard/Heavy Snow – Use of the tubing hill and/or ice skating rink may be limited or prohibited when there is a severe snowstorm and travel is not recommended. If the park is open during these conditions, additional grooming may be required during the tubing and/or ice skating sessions to ensure proper surfaces.
5. Unseasonably warm temperatures, high humidity, or drastic temperature changes – Iowa experiences differing weather conditions during the winter months. Unseasonably warm temperatures may cause slushy, muddy, and wet conditions at the park. Warm temperatures and high humidity can create unsafe conditions that can cause damage to the grounds and equipment. If there are significant temperature changes from one day to the next, a closure may be required to allow time to make or groom snow for the tubing hill, as well as, make fresh ice for the skating rink. Depending on the severity of the changing weather conditions, a closure may need to occur for an extended period of time in order to prepare the grounds for use.
When the tubing hill and/or ice skating rink is limited or prohibited for use, the Cone Park Lodge, including the concessions, and the outdoor fire pit may remain open for public use during operating hours.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS
Park users with an existing reservation will be allowed to transfer their reservations to a different date or receive a full refund if any of the above circumstances occur. Those with reservations will be contacted directly by phone and/or email. If the park closes prior to the completion of a session, park users will be offered a free pass to use their next visit.
The public is directed to view the Cone Park Sioux City Facebook Page for all Cone Park closings and updates. - Private rentals and field trips are available. See Private Rental rates.
The laser lights will only be operating during Snow Glow Tubing, Friday & Saturday nights from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm and/or 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm.
Music will be played at all times - day and night.
- The tubing hill will open for the season when temperatures are consistently cool enough to keep a solid snow base, generally around 32 degrees. The ice skating rink has a refrigeration system to offer extended use through the winter months. Watch the Cone Park Sioux City Facebook page or the Sioux City website news area for official opening and closing dates.
The water to make the snow is pumped from the storm water and run off in the Sertoma Park pond.
- Cone Park is located at 3800 Line Drive in the southeast part of Sioux City. The park is situated near I-29 and the Highway 20 bypass to the east of the ibp Ice Center and Lewis & Clark Ballpark. Keep up with the latest on the Cone Park Sioux City Facebook page.
Meter Reading FAQ
- Yes, the Radio Read unit will let us be able to detect possible leaks in your plumbing faster and notify you of problems before they become serious and costly. Accuracy will improve and you’ll pay only for water you actually use each month, no estimates. In addition to speed and reliability we won’t have to enter your home except for periodic maintenance or replacement of system components when needed.
- The City installs a Radio Read Meter Interface Unit (MIU) equipped with a 20 year battery in your home or business. The Radio Read Unit is connected to your water meter; it reads the usage every 15 minutes and sends out a radio signal with the unique Radio Read ID and the read from the meter every 14 seconds. Once a month we drive through each neighborhood and our mobile equipment collects this data over the radio wave frequency, this read is then used for monthly billing.
- We will collect a new read from your meter with our mobile equipment and call you with the new information. You can still visually read your meter yourself. If you still disagree we will send a City Water Service Representative to your home or business to determine what may be wrong and correct any problems.
Snow FAQ
- No, it is against the law to place salt on any dirt or gravel road.
- No person may deposit snow or ice from a private property on to a public highway, street, avenue, alley or park within the city.
Once a snow emergency has been issued, information is posted on the city’s website and social media channels and shared with local television and radio stations for their broadcasts, websites and social media channels. You may also sign up for e-notifications (sign up here) and you will be notified by email - look under the "News" section for "Snow Alerts".
How do I report a vehicle that is in violation of the odd/even parking during a snow emergency or is abandoned?
Vehicles may be reported by calling the Sioux City Police Department at 279-6440 or by messaging the Sioux City Police Department on Facebook.Residents and business owners must remove snow and ice from public sidewalks within twelve (12) hours following a snow event. If snow or ice remains on any sidewalk for more than twenty-four (24) hours, the city may remove at the cost of the property owner. Chapter 17.24 Snow and Ice Removal
The snow flake signs posted along Emergency Snow Routes (ESR) prohibit parking or leaving a vehicle unattended on city streets when a snow emergency has been declared. Posted signs have a blue background with a white snowflake. No parking on ESR's helps snow plow drivers to clear the roads more quickly and efficiently and assists emergency vehicles trying to reach the hospitals and heavily traveled routes.
Emergency Snow Routes Map (view map)
Priority One Streets are shown in red on the City Priority One Streets Map (view map). They include emergency routes to hospitals, arterial streets, transit bus system routes that are major traffic carriers, and major business districts. Priority One streets will be cleared so that they are passable before moving to Priority Two and Priority Three streets.
- When snow, freezing rain, sleet, snowdrifts, etc. create, or are likely to create, hazardous road conditions that will restrict emergency vehicles, a snow emergency may be declared. According to the Sioux City Snow and Ice Control Policy (pdf download), in the prediction of or the occurrence of a substantial snowfall event greater than 6 inches or concurrent snowfall events of two 4 inches or greater storms the Mayor, City Manager, or his/her designee may declare a snow emergency.
When conditions improve so that a snow emergency is no longer necessary, the Mayor will terminate the snow emergency with the announcement shared on the city’s website, social media channels and local media outlets.
Vehicles may park on the even street numbered side of the street on even days of the month and on the odd street numbered side of the street on odd days of the month. If parking is only allowed on one side of the street, vehicles should follow the previous instructions only if parking is allowed on that side of the street. No parking is permitted on the side of the street where parking is prohibited.
Snowplows will move snow to the center lane of streets downtown (wind rows) to allow traffic to pass. Crews will remove the excess snow from the streets following the snow event.