Buena Vista County
Buena Vista County covers 575 square miles of northwestern Iowa, with the county seat at Storm Lake.
Buena Vista County official website
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Where to find things
- Iowa recorded document searchProperty records
The shared portal for all 99 Iowa county recorders. Search recorded deeds, mortgages and plats by name or legal description and order copies.
- Iowa property taxProperty taxes
In Iowa the County Assessor, or a City Assessor in a few cities, values your home and land and the County Treasurer sends the bill. The Department of Revenue sets the rules and runs the homestead and military credits.
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Farm wetland rules for USDA program participants. Before you drain, fill or clear a wet area in a farm field, ask NRCS at your local USDA Service Center for a wetland determination.
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- Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesIowa's environmental agency: water quality, wetlands, waste and the permits that go with them.
- Iowa drainage districtsIowa law on levee and drainage districts and their ditches and tile lines. A district is run by the county board of supervisors (or a board of trustees for some districts), and the county auditor keeps the district's drainage record with its assessments; call the county auditor about a district ditch or tile line.
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up, USDA Farm Service AgencyHow the Conservation Reserve Program works, which sign-ups are open and what it pays. You enroll land in CRP at your county Farm Service Agency office at the local USDA Service Center.
- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterFlood zones
Official source for flood insurance rate maps. Enter an address to see the current flood zone and download the FIRM panel and letters of map change.
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- FEMA Disaster DeclarationsSearch federal disaster and emergency declarations by state, county and incident to see whether an area was declared and what assistance was authorized.
- FEMA Increased Cost of ComplianceFlood insurance coverage that helps pay to elevate, relocate, demolish or floodproof a substantially damaged building.
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Free statewide recorded document search run by the Iowa county recorders, covering Buena Vista County deeds and plats; a free account is required.
- Iowa septic system permitsSeptic systems
In Iowa the county board of health permits septic systems under state rules, and a time of transfer inspection is required when most properties are sold. Start here for the rules and your county.
- Iowa building code and construction permitsBuilding permits
Iowa applies the State Building Code to state owned buildings and to any city or county that adopts it, and the State Fire Marshal administers it. Most building permits come from your city or county. Ask locally which code is in force.
- Iowa state landsPublic land
State-owned land in Iowa: who manages it, what you may do on it, and how leases and easements work.
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- USGS map of public and protected landNational map of federal, state, local and other public and protected land from the U.S. Geological Survey Protected Areas Database (PAD-US).
- Iowa food assistanceFood assistance (SNAP and EBT)
Official Iowa food-assistance program information, listed by USDA. Find application guidance and program contacts. Check the program for current eligibility, benefits, and EBT help.
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- USDA food assistance state directoryChoose a state or territory for official food-assistance program websites, applications, and EBT contacts.
- Iowa unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits
Official Iowa unemployment insurance information. Find the program’s instructions for claims, eligibility, and ongoing benefits. Use its own guidance to choose where to file.
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- USAGov unemployment benefits overviewFind the state unemployment program and official filing guidance through USAGov. Where you worked can determine where you should file.
- Iowa Medicaid and CHIPHealth coverage (Medicaid and CHIP)
Find Iowa Medicaid application information and health-coverage contacts, listed by HealthCare.gov. Check the program for eligibility, renewals, and children’s coverage.
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- HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP application guideFind Medicaid and children’s health-coverage application guidance and the official agency for your state or territory.
- Iowa energy bill assistanceHeating and utility bill assistance
Find Iowa energy-assistance information for heating, cooling, or utility bills. Follow the program’s application and local-provider instructions. Availability and eligibility are determined by the program.
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- USAGov help with energy billsLearn about help with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and find the official LIHEAP and weatherization program contacts.
- Iowa WIC programWIC nutrition help
WIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
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- USDA WIC application and clinic guideWIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
- Iowa child care assistanceHelp paying for child care
Child care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
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- ChildCare.gov help paying for child careChild care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
- Iowa Finance Authority rental programsRent help and public housing
Learn about rental help and public housing programs, how to apply, and who to contact. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housingLearn how Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing work, how to apply, and how to find your local public housing agency. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with your local agency.
- Iowa emergency shelter and eviction helpEmergency shelter and eviction help
Find emergency shelter, homelessness services or help to avoid eviction, and see who to contact. Check current availability and eligibility with the program.
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- HUD Find ShelterSearch for nearby shelters, homeless services, food pantries and health clinics, or find your local homeless services network. Check current availability with each provider.
- Iowa Family Investment ProgramCash assistance (TANF)
Learn about cash assistance for families with children, how to apply, and who to contact about your case. Check current eligibility and rules with the program.
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- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistanceLearn how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help works and find the program that serves your state. Apply through your state or local office.
- Iowa child support servicesChild support services
Open a child support case, get help establishing paternity or a support order, and find payment and contact information.
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- Child support helpLearn how to get help collecting child support and find the child support agency that serves your state or tribe.
- Iowa aging servicesSenior services and aging
Find state programs for older adults and family caregivers, such as help at home, meals, caregiver support, and how to reach your local aging office. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- Eldercare LocatorFederal Eldercare Locator for finding local help for older adults and caregivers, such as meals, help at home, transportation, and your Area Agency on Aging. Search by ZIP code or call the listed number.
- Iowa vocational rehabilitation servicesDisability services
Find state disability services, such as vocational rehabilitation for work and training, independent living help, and how to apply. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- State vocational rehabilitation agencies directoryFederal directory of state vocational rehabilitation agencies that help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep jobs. Use it to find your state agency and how to contact it.
- Iowa veterans benefits helpVeterans benefits help
Get free help applying for federal and state veterans benefits, such as disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits, and find a veterans service officer near you. Check eligibility and office hours with the agency.
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- Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSOFind a VA accredited representative or veterans service organization (VSO) who can help you file a VA claim or appeal at no cost. Your state and county veterans service offices can also help.
- Iowa unclaimed property searchUnclaimed money
Search the official unclaimed property list for money owed to you, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds and deposits, and file a claim. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
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- Find unclaimed money from the governmentLearn how to search for unclaimed money held by state governments and federal agencies, such as old bank accounts, tax refunds, savings bonds and pensions. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
- Iowa driver and vehicle servicesDriver licenses and state IDs · Vehicle registration and titles
Official driver and vehicle services. Check the agency for renewals, appointments, document requirements, registration, and titles.
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- USAGov driver licensing and state ID guideOfficial guide to driver licenses and state identification, with links to state motor vehicle agencies.
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Official U.S. passport applications, renewals, document requirements, and acceptance facility information.
- USAGov Social Security benefits and replacement cardsSocial Security benefits and cards
Official guide to Social Security benefits, card replacement, and Social Security Administration services.
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Official Medicare enrollment, coverage, plan comparisons, and contacts for help with Medicare.
- IRS income tax filing and assistanceIncome taxes and filing help
Official federal income tax filing instructions, payment and refund information, and links to filing help.
- USAGov job search and career training guideJobs and career training
Official guide to public job training, career resources, and American Job Centers.
- USAGov federal student financial aid guideStudent financial aid
Official guide to FAFSA, federal student aid, and other ways to find help paying for education.
- Iowa consumer protection officeConsumer complaints and scams
State consumer protection information, business complaints, and reporting contacts.
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- USAGov state consumer protection office directoryFind your state consumer protection office for business complaints and scam reporting.
- Iowa emergency management and recovery contactsDisaster recovery assistance
State emergency management information and contacts for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Check the agency for available recovery programs.
More options
- USAGov disaster assistance application guideOfficial disaster assistance application information and links to FEMA and other recovery programs.
- USAGov legal aid and lawyer referral guideLegal aid and lawyer referrals
Find legal aid programs, lawyer referrals, and other sources of affordable legal help.
- USAGov federal, state, and local court directoryCourts and traffic tickets
Official guide to federal, state, territory, county, and municipal court websites.
- SBA business registration and startup guideStarting and registering a business
Official startup guide covering business registration, business structure, and federal and state tax IDs.
Buena Vista County offices
- Buena Vista County AuditorThe county auditor keeps the county financial records, certifies tax levies, runs elections, keeps real estate transfer records and serves as clerk to the board of supervisors. The office also handles drainage district records and assessments; ask here about a drainage district ditch or tile line.
- Phone
- (712) 749-2542
- Address
- 317 E. 5th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County RecorderRecords deeds, mortgages and plats for Buena Vista County.
- Phone
- (712) 749-2539
- Address
- 215 E 5th Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County Engineer's OfficeMaintains the county's secondary roads and bridges, including gravel road grading and snow plowing and issues moving permits for oversize loads and underground utility permits.
- Phone
- (712) 749-2540
- Address
- 526 Radio Road, Storm Lake, IA 50588
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County Information Technology & GISRuns the GIS and maps for Buena Vista County.Eric Chase, GIS Coordinator
- Phone
- (712) 749-2563
- echase@bvcountyiowa.com
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County parcel mapBeacon property search and parcel map for Buena Vista County, run by the county, showing parcel lines, parcel numbers and owners.
- Buena Vista County assessor property searchThe Buena Vista County Assessor's own property record search. Look up a parcel by owner, address or parcel number to see who owns it, what it is assessed at an…
- Buena Vista County maps on GISFinderProperty lines, aerial photos, flood zones, wetlands and GIS data downloads.
- Buena Vista County USDA FSA and NRCS officeThe Farm Service Agency office for Buena Vista County is at the Storm Lake Service Center, 1621 Lake Ave, Storm Lake, IA 50588. Call it to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other farm programs, and for farm and tract records. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works from the same office: ask it for wetland determinations, highly erodible land questions and conservation plans.
- Phone
- (712) 732-1200
- Address
- 1621 Lake Ave, Storm Lake, IA 50588
- Website
- Visit website
Other county departments (6)
- Buena Vista County Attorney's OfficeYou can contact the county attorney's office, its staff and victim/witness coordinator, and find office hours and address in Storm Lake to get help with county legal matters.
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County Conservation (bvcountyparks.com)You can find Buena Vista County park areas, book campsites, cabins and shelters, check facilities and events, and contact the conservation office at (712) 295-7985.
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County E911Residents can find the Buena Vista County E911 office address and phone number (712) 749-2525 and sign up for alerts.
- Website
- Visit website
- BV County Public Health and Home CareResidents can learn about county public health services, immunizations, home care, and the General Assistance program, and find contact details and forms for the Storm Lake clinic.
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County RecyclingResidents can check recycling hours, compost and yard waste availability, hazardous materials disposal dates, and battery and light bulb recycling options at the county recycle center in Storm Lake.
- Website
- Visit website
- Buena Vista County Sheriff's OfficeResidents can find sheriff's office staff and contact details, request fingerprinting, apply for weapons or permit to carry, and check job openings.
- Website
- Visit website
Guides
- How property taxes work: who assesses, who collects
- How to get help buying food: SNAP and WIC
- How to file for unemployment benefits
- How to get Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace health coverage
- Help paying energy bills: LIHEAP and weatherization
- Help paying for child care
- Help with rent and housing: Section 8, shelter and eviction help
- Cash assistance for families: TANF, SSI and general assistance
- How child support works
- Help for older adults and people with disabilities
- How to get help with veterans benefits
- How to find unclaimed money in your name
Other Iowa counties
Neighboring counties
About Buena Vista County
Buena Vista County covers 575 square miles of northwestern Iowa, with the county seat at Storm Lake. The County Assessor values your house and land, except in a few cities that have their own City Assessor. The County Treasurer bills and collects the tax and the County Recorder keeps recorded land documents.
Cities in Buena Vista County
- Albert City
- Alta
- LakesideLakeside Clerk · 712-732-6601
- Linn Grove
- Marathon
- NewellNewell Clerk · 712-272-4410
- Rembrandt
- Sioux Rapids
- Storm LakeStorm Lake Clerk · (712) 732-8000
- Truesdale