Building permits in Iowa
1 jurisdictions, each with the department that issues, its portal and its phone number. Cities issue their own permits; counties cover unincorporated areas, which is the distinction that sends most contractors to the wrong office.
1 checked against the department's own page
Licensing
No competency license, but all contractors earning $2,000+/year from construction must register with the state (out-of-state contractors post a $25,000 bond).
Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) — Contractor Registration