Linn County's animal control rules for unincorporated areas are set in Chapter 6 of the Linn County Code of Ordinances and a separate county ordinance (Chapter 28 of the County Code Document Center) covering dog and companion-cat licensing and rabies vaccination. Dogs in unincorporated Linn County must be under owner control - leashed, confined, or under direct voice control - whenever off the owner's property. Iowa Code Chapter 351 supplies the state framework, including section 351.37 (impoundment of dogs running at large) and section 351.28 (rabies vaccination). Animal control is handled by the Linn County Sheriff's Office.
Linn County regulates animals through Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances and a companion ordinance on dogs and companion cats covering licensing, rabies vaccination, and impoundment. In unincorporated Linn County a dog is considered 'at large' when it is off the owner's premises and not on a leash or under direct, immediate voice control of a competent person. Any peace officer or animal control officer may impound a dog found running at large. The county's authority rests on Iowa Code Chapter 351 (Dogs and Other Animals): section 351.37 authorizes impoundment of dogs running at large and untagged dogs; section 351.41 expressly preserves city and county power to prohibit dogs running at large; sections 351.25-351.28 address ownership, rabies vaccination, and tagging. Every dog three months of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies under section 351.28, and Linn County requires a current rabies certificate before issuing a license. Owners are strictly liable for damages caused by a dog under Iowa Code section 351.28 / 351.30 unless the injured party was committing an unlawful act. Inside Linn County's cities (Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, etc.) the city's own animal-control ordinance applies; Cedar Rapids enforces leash and licensing rules through Chapter 23 of its municipal code and the City Animal Care and Control unit, not the county.
A dog running at large in unincorporated Linn County can be impounded under Iowa Code 351.37; the owner must pay impound, board, license, and rabies vaccination fees to redeem the animal. Failure to vaccinate or license is a separate violation under the county ordinance and Iowa Code 351.28. Repeat at-large incidents, vicious-dog declarations, or attacks on people or livestock can lead to misdemeanor charges under Iowa Code Chapter 351 and civil liability for damages. Persistent violations can result in revocation of the dog's license.
Linn County, IA
Linn County does not publish a stand-alone decibel-based noise ordinance for unincorporated areas; instead, Iowa Code section 727.6 (disturbing the peace) an...
Linn County, IA
Iowa has no statewide cap on residential fence height. In unincorporated Linn County, fences are regulated through Chapter 107 of the County Code (the Unifie...
Linn County, IA
Iowa Code §727.2 (HF 540, 2017) legalized consumer fireworks but lets counties limit use to July 3, July 4, and December 31. Linn County Resolution 2019-5-83...
Linn County, IA
Linn County's Unified Development Code (Chapter 107, Article IV) requires off-street parking for residential dwellings in unincorporated areas but does not i...
Linn County, IA
Linn County's Unified Development Code (Chapter 107) does not set a short-term-rental-specific occupancy cap in unincorporated areas. Iowa Code Section 414.1...
Linn County, IA
Iowa Code Section 414.1 (HF 2641, 2020) prohibits Linn County from charging permit fees specifically targeting short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. Ho...
See how Linn County's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.