Code Enforcement

Health Nuisance Regulation

Polk County has adopted a Health Nuisance Regulation that assists in keeping properties cleaned up in the unincorporated parts of the County.  If you have junk, debris, unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicles on your property, you may be in violation of this regulation.  Polk County will make attempts to work with property owners in getting items removed in bringing the property into compliance with the regulation.

Property owners are given a thirty (30) day courtesy letter to abate the violations.  If the violations are not corrected, then a twenty-one (21) day abatement notice is provided.  If the owner does not abate the violations at the end of the time frame, Polk County will then enter the property, abate the violations and assess the costs of the abatement against the property.

To report a potential violation of a property in your neighborhood, please email or call with the address and the type of violation to: PublicWorks@polkcountyiowa.gov or by calling 515-286-3705.

Zoning Ordinance Violations

Polk County has a Zoning Ordinance for Unincorporated Polk County that covers various aspects of how a property can be used.  One example is that it is not permissible to operate a business in a residential neighborhood or storing equipment and/or materials associated with a business on a property not properly zoned.  If violations are found, staff will attempt to work with owners to bring the property into compliance with the ordinance. 

To report a potential zoning violation of a property, please email or call with the address and the type of violation to: PublicWorks@polkcountyiowa.gov or by calling 515-286-3705.