For some people, living in a city setting comes in second place to the rural, farmstead feel.

In Story County, living outside of city limits has more benefits than the peace offered by the country atmosphere – according to legislators’ policies, those who build in rural areas are required to obtain fewer permits and inspections than those who build in urban sectors of the county.

“Apparently, the philosophy of prior legislators was that people in rural areas should be able to go about their business with a minimum of government regulations,” said David Brown, Ames building official. “This philosophy has continued to be reflected in various laws and codes.”

In order to build in Ames, the builder must obtain a variety of permits: a building permit, electrical permit, plumbing permit and a mechanical permit, each requiring an inspection.

Additionally, all contractors working on the building must be licensed by the city to do so. Only after all permits have been obtained and all inspections passed can someone occupy the building.

Such permits and inspections can add up in cost, especially when piled on top of building costs.

According to the city of Ames’ Web site, fees for a building permit start at $25 but vary with the cost of the entire project. Each of the other permits are at least $30, with the price also depending on the amount of work.

Last year, a total of 154 building permits were issued for building outside of Ames city limits by the Story County Planning and Zoning Board, 40 of which were for single-family dwellings. To build in Story County, all that is required is a building permit. The permit scales its price based on construction, with the minimum being $15. If the project value goes above $25,000, the fee is one-tenth of the value.

Such an unequal distribution of attention and money for rural versus urban development is, in part, due to liability.

“A greater concentration equals more need for government regulation, especially in construction,” Brown said.

“In a rural setting, if your faulty wiring causes a fire, it’s a bad decision, but the only one at risk is the property owner.

“In the city, if that scenario happens, there’s a greater chance your actions have an adverse impact on the neighborhood.”

Brown said building in rural areas could be an advantage for people who want to skirt around the red tape.

“If you don’t want your work to be inspected frequently or pay Ames property taxes, and you just want to build, it’s an advantage,” he said.

Natalie Herrington, Story County code enforcement officer, said the privacy and open space are why people would want to build in rural areas.

“There’s also less compatibility issues when there are less neighbors around,” she said.

Herrington said that although money is saved with fewer permits and inspections, it isn’t necessarily the best course of action.

“I don’t see any real benefits when it comes to there being fewer required inspections and permits,” she said. “We only have one inspection at the time forms are turned in. It is good to have regulations, in this scenario.”

Herrington said the main reason the county doesn’t require more inspections and permits is because of the inaction of legislators.

“Building codes that would allow for more requisite permits and inspections have not been adapted by Story County. Until they are, we cannot require more inspections,” she said.