Sovereign Lands Construction Permits

This permit program is governed by 571 Iowa Administrative Code chapter 13 which was revised effective April 15, 2009.

These rules are applicable to all fee title lands and waters, dedicated lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the commission and managed by the commission for public access to a meandered sovereign lake or meandered sovereign river; meandered sovereign lakes; meandered sovereign rivers; and sovereign islands; except those portions of the Iowa River and the Mississippi River where title has been conveyed to charter cities.

State-owned lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the commission include:
Meandered Sovereign Lakes, Meandered Sovereign Rivers, State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, State Parks, and State Preserves.

• List of Meandered Sovereign Lakes, by County,*.pdf
• List of Meandered Sovereign Rivers,*.pdf
• Map of Meandered Rivers,*.pdf

How to apply:

1. Complete the Joint Application Form:
   • Joint Application Form (includes instructions) (*.pdf file)
   
   
   
2. Mail one copy of the Joint Application Form to each of these three addresses:

   Iowa Department of Natural Resources
   Sovereign Lands Construction Permit Program
   502 E 9th St.
   Des Moines, IA 50319

   Iowa Department of Natural Resources
   Flood Plain Management Program
   502 E 9th St.
   Des Moines, IA 50319

   US Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District
   Clock Tower Building
   PO Box 2004
   Rock Island, IL 61204-2004

Additional resources:

• Shoreline erosion protection (riprap) and seawall standards,*.pdf
• Source for aerial photos and maps
• Link to Flood Plain Management Program

For more information:
Inga Foster, (515) 281-8967 or Inga.Foster@dnr.iowa.gov