Polk County, IA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- LDR front
- 35 feet
- LDR side / rear
- 10 ft / 35 ft
- Agricultural front
- 50 feet
- Estate Residential front
- 75 feet
- MDR/HDR/MU side
- 8 feet
Summary
Polk County's single-family bulk standards set minimum yard setbacks by zoning district. In Low Density Residential (LDR) the minimums are 35 feet front, 10 feet side, and 35 feet rear; agricultural districts require 50 feet front and rear. City-owned land uses municipal setbacks.
Setbacks Front 50 50 75 50 35 30 30 30 Side 25 25 25 15 10 8 8 8 Rear 50 50 75 50 35 30 30 30 (Zoning Districts AG AT ER RR LDR MDR HDR MU).
Full Breakdown
The Polk County Zoning Ordinance's Table of Single-Family Bulk Standards (Table 6.1) fixes minimum setbacks for each residential and agricultural district on unincorporated land. Front/side/rear minimums include: Agricultural (AG) and Agricultural Transition (AT) 50/25/50 feet; Estate Residential (ER) 75/25/75; Rural Residential (RR) 50/15/50; Low Density Residential (LDR) 35/10/35; and Medium/High Density and Mixed Use (MDR, HDR, MU) 30/8/30. Accessory buildings have separate placement rules (5 or 10 feet from side/rear lines depending on floor area, and generally behind the front setback). These are county minimums for unincorporated parcels; incorporated cities such as Des Moines, Ankeny, and West Des Moines set their own setbacks.
Violations & Fines
Building within a required setback is a zoning violation carrying a per-day civil penalty, a stop-work order, and a hold on further permits until corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What setback applies to my rural home?
Do sheds follow the same setbacks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Polk County
Compare Polk County to another location·View the Iowa building setbacks & zoning overview
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