Polk County, IA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Article 2-5 of the Polk County Health Nuisance Regulation lays out the county's core catalog of health nuisances that Public Works can pursue through either the administrative hearing procedure or a civil action, and it doubles as the county's practical list of common complaint categories. Section 2-5(f) covers the deposit or storage of litter, garbage or organic waste on real estate, though it expressly does not reach temporary storage in authorized receptacles awaiting regular pickup. Section 2-5(k) reaches mosquito-breeding conditions: stagnant water in fish ponds, swimming pools, tires, open barrels and other water-holding devices.

Section 2-5(l) covers an obstruction or encumbrance by fence, building or otherwise of a public road, private way, street, alley, common, landing place or burying ground. Other frequently cited clauses in the same Article include 2-5(c), flammable junk stored outside a fireproof building; 2-5(d), junk or debris stored outside an enclosed building; 2-5(i), transporting garbage or organic filth in leaking containers or ones that let insects reach the load; and 2-5(n), attractive nuisances such as unsecured structures, abandoned wells, basements or excavations. Article 2-6 adds a second tier of civil-action-only nuisances, including dense smoke or noxious fumes, Dutch elm disease trees, and inadequate wastewater disposal.

Anyone found violating this Regulation three times within 18 months at any location becomes a Habitual Violator under Section 2-2(b), which lets the county seek a court injunction against all real estate that person owns or controls.