Here is a list of common licenses, permits and other certificates

The letters in bold represent the issuing office and are explained in this key.

Key

• CC = City Clerk’s Office, 515 Clark Avenue, 515-239-5105
• IO = Inspections Office, 515 Clark Avenue, 515-239-5153
• PD = Ames Police Department, 515 Clark Avenue, 515-239-5130
• PH = Planning and Housing Department, 515 Clark Avenue, 515-239-5400
• PW = Public Works Department, 515 Clark Avenue, 515-239-5160
• SC = Story County Courthouse, Nevada, 515-382-6581
• IDIA = Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals, Des Moines, 515-281-6538

Permits

• Banner Permit - CC
• Beer Kegs Permit - PD
• Beer Permit - CC
• Birth Certificate - SC
• Block Party - PW
• Building Permit - IO
• Cemetery Deed - CC (or contact Cemetery Foreman at 239-5341)
• Cigarette Permit - CC
• Death Certificate - SC
• Electrical Permit - IO
• Encroachment Permit - IO
• Fireworks Display Permit - CC
• Food Service Establishments License - IDIA
• Food Vending License - CC
• Garbage Collection License - CC
• Home Occupation Permit - PH
• House Mover's License - CC/IO
• Liquor License and Beer Permit - CC
• Marriage License - SC
• Mechanical Permit - IO
• Motel/Hotel License - IO
• Newspaper Dispenser Permit- CC
• Notary Public Services (bring a photo ID) - CC
• Pawnbroker's & Precious Metals Dealer's Permit - CC
• Parking Waiver - PW
• Peddler’s, Solicitor's, and Transient Merchant's Permit - CC
• Plumbing Permit - IO
• Retail Cigarette Permit - CC
• Road Race Licenses/Special Events (for foot races or bike races on City Streets) - CC
• Sidewalk Cafe Permit - CC
• Sign Permit - IO
• Special Events - CC
• Temporary Obstruction Permit - CC
• Transient Merchant's / Peddler's / Solicitor's Permit - CC
• Tree Surgeon's License - CC
• Vehicle Registration - SC
• Vending License (sales on public property) - CC
• Voter Registration - CC, SC

Activities not requiring permits:

• Busking (street entertainment):
  Information about Busking in Ames & Registration Form
• Itinerant Merchant Registration Form (for door-to-door sales in commercial zones or by permanent local organizations)
  Information on Itinerant Merchant Registration

Professional Licenses
If you would like to question whether a person has his or her professional license granted by the City (house movers, tree trimmers, etc.), contact the City Clerk’s Office at 515-239-5105.

Bicycle Licenses
For bicycle licenses, please click here.