Frequently Asked Questions

Ambulance

Where do I pay an ambulance bill.

Do I get charged for an ambulance even if I wasn't the one who called 911.

Driveways

I want to put in a new driveway. What do I need to do?

General

Is the Courthouse Handicapped Accessible?

Where do I get a sales tax permit?

How can I contact a member of the Board of Supervisors?

General Assistance

Where do I apply for General Assistance?

How are General Assistance benefits paid?

Do I need to apply in person for General Assistance benefits?

Landfill

What is the phone number for the landfill?

Licenses

Where can I get my Driver's License

How many days do I have to renew my driver's license?

What do I need to register my boat?

Where do I get a hunting & fishing license?

When are deer and turkey hunting licenses available?

Mapping - 911 Addresses

Where do I get a map of Carroll County?

Where do I get a 911 address?

Marriage & Birth Records

What do I need to get a marriage license?

How long is a marriage application valid?

Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?

When am I eligible to get a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage record?

Mental Health

How do I access mental health services in Carroll County?

Who is eligible to receive services funded by Carroll County?

Passport

What do I need to get a passport?

Property Information

How can I find out the owner of a particular property?

Can I find out the dollar amount a property sold for?

How can I find out information like square footage, year built and construction of a property?

Can I find out if my property assessment is comparable to others?

How do I change my name on a property?

What does it cost to record a deed and mortgage?

Taxes

Why did my taxes go up?

When do I receive a property tax statement?

When are my taxes due?

I mailed my payment on the due date and now I am getting a balance due statement for delinquent taxes, why?

I thought my mortgage company paid my taxes?

Can I make a partial payment of my tax due?

If I make a partial payment, do I receive some type of balance statement?

What are my payment options when paying my property taxes?

What should I do if I receive a tax statement on a home I recently sold?

I just purchased this property and I am now being told that I am responsible for the full years taxes, how can this be?

Why were special assessment statements mailed to me?

Vehicle Registration

When can I renew my car license plates?

Voting

Can I find out if I am registered to vote?

Zoning - Building Permits

Is there zoning in Carroll County?

Do I need a Building Permit even for farm related buildings?

How much does a Building Permit cost?

How do I re-zone my land?

How many acres do I need to have to build a house?

How far back from the road do I have to stay with a building?

Can I apply for a Building Permit on-line?

Q.  Where do I pay an ambulance bill.

A.  Carroll County Ambulance Service, 1906 Hwy 71 N, Carroll, IA 51401

Q.  Do I get charged for an ambulance even if I wasn't the one who called 911.

A.  The Ambulance Service charges for transporting a patient. The service is provided and charged to each individual patient no matter who initiates the call. If service is provided and the patient is not transported to a medical facility, no charges are billed.

Q.  Is the Courthouse Handicapped Accessible?
A.  Handicap access is located at the front entrance on the north side of the building. The Treasurer's Office is also Handicap Accessible.

Q.  Is there zoning in Carroll County?
A.  YES. Zoning Page

Q.  Do I need a building permit even for farm related buildings?

A.  Yes.  All buildings are subject either to a building permit, or an Agricultural Exemption.  Applications may be filled out on-line, printed and mailed to the Zoning Office, or call 792-1022 to have one mailed to you.

Q.  How much does a Building Permit cost?

A.  There is no charge for Agricultural Buildings, but there is a sliding scale fee for non-farm related buildings in the county.  See Zoning Fees.

Q.  How do I re-zone my land?

A.  Re-zoning starts with a visit with the Zoning Administrator, and review and recommendation from the Zoning Commission, and after a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors has final approval or denial.  Contact the Zoning Administrator.

Q.  How many acres do I need to have to build a house?

A.  If you are building on an existing acreage site, you may only need 1/2 acre, but if the land to be built on is bare farm land, you will need 5 acres.  Zoning Home Page

Q.  How far back from the road do I have to stay with a building?

A.  The building setbacks vary with each district.  In an A-1 Agricultural District, the setback for non-farm buildings is 60 feet from the road right-of-way.  Farm buildings may be built closer to the road, but farmers are encouraged to stay back 60 feet for safety, snow drifting, and protection from future road development issues.

Q.  Can I apply for a Building Permit on-line?

A.  Yes.  You can fill out the permit application on-line, but you will need to print it off and sign it and mail it to the Zoning Administrator at the address on the Permit.  Zoning Forms

Q.  Where do I get a map of Carroll County?
A.  Plat maps are available in the Auditor's office and cost $6.00 each.  911 Maps are available in the Sheriff and Information Technology departments for free.

Q.  Where do I get a 911 address?
A.  911 addresses and markers are available in the Information Technology Department office. IT Department Page

Q.  Can I find out if I am registered to vote?
A.  The Auditor's Office can tell you if you are a registered voter. Office Hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. 712-792-9802.

Q.  Where do I get a sales tax permit?
A.  You must contact the Iowa Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit. 515-281-3114.

Q.  How can I contact a member of the Board of Supervisors?
A.  Supervisor's Page

Q.  How can I find out the owner of a particular property?
A.  That information is available from either the Assessor's Office or the Auditor's Office. Both are open Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Assessor: 712-792-9973 or Auditor: 712-792-9802.  Property Search Information is also available through the Assessor's Property Search Page  or through the interactive maps available through the Information Technology Department Mapping Page.

Q.  Can I find out the dollar amount a property sold for?
A.  Yes. That information is available from the Assessor's Office. Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. 712-792-9973 or by using the Residential or Commercial Sales Search Pages or recent sales are available on the Sales Reports Page

Q.  How can I find out information like square footage, year built and construction of a property?
A.  That information is available from the Assessor's Office. Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. 712-792-9973 or by using the Residential or Commercial Sales Search Pages or recent sales are available on the Sales Reports Page

Q.  Can I find out if my property assessment is comparable to others?
A.  Yes. That information is available from the Assessor's Office. Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. 712-792-9973 or by using the Residential or Commercial Sales Search Pages

Q.  Why did my taxes go up?
A.  Taxes go up for a number of reasons. You should check with the various taxing bodies to which you pay taxes....the County Board of Supervisors, the City, and the School District.

Q. When do I receive a property tax statement?
A. Statements are mailed out to the titleholder of record prior to September 1st of each year.

Q. When are my taxes due?
A. Your tax statement will provide you with two payment stubs, one for the first half and one for the second half. You may choose to pay the full year at once or pay each half by the due date.

     The first half of property tax is due by September 1st of each year. Late interest will accrue starting October 1st, unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of October.

     The second half of property tax is due by March 1st of each year. Late interest will accrue starting April 1st unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of April.

     Please be aware that Iowa Law does not grant an extension of the late interest date when the last business day falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

Q. I mailed my payment on the due date and now I am getting a balance due statement for delinquent taxes, why?
A. Your payment must be postmarked by the due date in order to be processed as a timely payment. If you are receiving a balance due statement, then your payment was not postmarked on time and late interest has accrued. We have processed your payment and have sent you a statement for the remaining balance.  Placing your payment in the mailbox on the due date does not guarantee the envelope will be postmarked on that day. The Treasurer's Office goes by the official U.S. Postal mark when processing payments.

Q. I thought my mortgage company paid my taxes?
A. Original tax statements are sent to the titleholder of record. If your mortgage company is responsible for paying your property taxes, they will request a statement. You may retain the tax statement mailed to you for your records.

Q. Can I make a partial payment of my tax due?
A. Yes, partial payments are accepted for current or delinquent real estate and mobile home property tax. If you are paying delinquent mobile home or real estate property tax, the amount of the partial payment must be greater than the late interest and cost due. Partial payments are not accepted for special assessments or tax sale redemption payments. Please indicate on your payment that it is a partial payment of tax due. We will apply your payment and give/send you a receipt and a balance due statement. For more information concerning partial payments, please call 712-792-1200.

Q. If I make a partial payment, do I receive some type of balance statement?
A. We do not send a receipt when payment is made unless you include and self addressed stamped envelope and with a request for receipt.

Q. What are my payment options when paying my property taxes?
A. Payment can be made by cash, check and/or money order or Credit Card

Q. What should I do if I receive a tax statement on a home I recently sold?
A. 1. Forward the tax statement to the new owners.
                        or
    2. Return the tax statement to us in the original envelope. Please note on the envelope, "Sold, Please send to New Owner".
                        or
    3. Notify the Treasurer's Office of the sale by calling (712)792-1200.

Q. I just purchased this property and I am now being told that I am responsible for the full years taxes, how can this be?
A. In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated and the buyer is given credit for the seller's portion. You should look at your settlement statement provided to you in closing to confirm this.

Q. Why were special assessment statements mailed to me?
A. The special assessment statement will inform you of the type of special assessment you are being billed for. Examples of special assessments are paving, sidewalk repairs and delinquent water bills. Special assessments generally are due once a year with the first half property tax installment. If you have additional questions please contact our office at 712-792-1200.

Q.  When can I renew my car license plates?
A.  Auto license plates can be renewed the month before, the month of, or the month following expiration. Iowa DOT Web Page

Q.  Where can I get my Driver's License

A.  The driver's license station is located at 501North Carroll Street in Carroll and is open Tuesday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. and 8:00 am - 1:00 pm on Saturday (Holiday Schedule) Visit the Iowa Drivers License page for more information.

Q.  How many days do I have to renew my driver's license?
A.  You can renew your driver's license within 60 days of expiration without taking a knowledge test.  Iowa DOT Web Page

Q.  What do I need to get a marriage license?
A.  Get an Application to Marry in Iowa from the Recorder’s office. The application will need to be completed by the groom, bride and a disinterested person (any adult who knows both the bride and groom). The application must be signed in front of a notary public. Recorder’s office personnel are notaries, so bring a picture ID. The fee is $35.00 payable to the Carroll County Recorder.

Q.  How long is a marriage application valid?
A.  You must apply for a marriage certificate in the Recorder's office. Following application, you will need to return to pick up the application and certificate. The Recorder's office will hold your marriage application and certificate for six months. If you pick up your certificate within the six months, it is valid forever. Certificates not picked up within six months are destroyed and no longer valid.

Q.  Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?
A.  If you were born in Carroll County before 1921 or after 1941, the Carroll County Recorder can provide a copy of your birth certificate. The Iowa Department of Public Health has birth records for everyone born in Iowa. IDPH Web Page

Q.  What do I need to register my boat?
A.  You may register your boat in the Recorder's office. For a new boat, you will need the manufacture's certificate of origin and the bill of sale. For a used boat, you will need the current registration (and title, if applicable) signed over to you by the previous owner. A bill of sale is required for any boat purchased from a dealer.

Q.  Where do I get a hunting & fishing license?
A.  Hunting & fishing licenses are available at the following Carroll County locations: Carroll County Recorder, Swan Lake State Park Office.

Q.  When are deer and turkey hunting licenses available?
A.  Availability of deer and turkey hunting licenses is determined by the Department of Natural Resources and can vary from year to year. Licenses can be purchased from any retail outlet in Iowa that sells hunting & fishing licenses electronically.

Q.  How do I change my name on a property?
A.  In most situations, a new deed will need to be prepared and recorded at the Recorder's office. Recorder's Real Estate Page

Q.  What does it cost to record a deed and mortgage?
A.  Deeds and mortgages are recorded at the Recorder's office. The standard recording fee is $5.00 per page that is filmed, plus $1.00 per document. A deed will also require an Auditor's Transfer fee of $5.00 per parcel and a real estate transfer stamp based on the selling price of the property.

Q.  When am I eligible to get a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage record?
A.  If you are 18 years of age or older and a direct blood relative within two generations (i.e. brother, sister, mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter). Certified copies of these records are available at the Recorder's Office. Recorder's Vital Records Web Page

Q.  What do I need to get a passport?
A.  You may apply for a passport at the Carroll County Recorder's Office. To apply, you must have two passport photos, a certified copy of your birth certificate, a check for $55.00 ($40.00 if under age 16) payable to the United States Department of State, and $30.00 for the Carroll County Recorder.

Q.  What is the phone number for the landfill?
A.  712-792-5001. Carroll County Recycling Center.

Q.  I want to put in a new driveway. What do I need to do?
A.  Complete an Entrance Application form, which is available at the County Engineer's office, 1400 West 6th St., Carroll, Iowa. The application form must be signed by the landowner and indicate where the entrance will be built. The landowner will then need to mark the location of the proposed entrance and the Engineer will examine the site to determine the necessary size entrance pipe. Once the permit is approved, a signed copy will be mailed to you indicating the cost of the culvert and any installation charge. Once the culvert charge has been paid, a foreman will schedule the installation.

Q.  How do I access mental health services in Carroll County?
A.  There are several ways to access mental health services. See the Central Point of Coordination page for more details, CPC Web Page

Q.  Who is eligible to receive services funded by Carroll County?
A.  In general, in order to receive services funded by Carroll County, the person to be served must have legal settlement in Carroll County. Details regarding service access and eligibility can be found in the Carroll County Services Management Plan. Community Services Web Page

Q.  Where do I apply for General Assistance?
A.  You may apply for assistance at the Community Services Office. For office location and hours, Community Services Web Page

Q.  How are General Assistance benefits paid?
A.  All benefits are paid directly to the providers of services. No cash benefits are available.

Q.  Do I need to apply in person for General Assistance benefits?
A.  Yes. For most benefits, monthly appointments are required. Community Services Web Page

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