Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Story County

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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Enforcing agency
Story County Environmental Health Department
Nuisance categories
12 listed, §55.07
Inspection hours
8am-5pm Mon-Fri (or emergency/consent)
Default penalty
$65-$625 or up to $1,000 civil (§§3.01/3.02)
Coverage
Unincorporated county + cities without own board of health

Summary

Story County's Environmental Health Department enforces a defined list of public-health nuisances in the unincorporated county under Code of Ordinances §55.07: spoiled food, unburied animal carcasses, leaking garbage cans, polluted water sources, vermin harborage, and dense smoke among them, and any resident can file a complaint that triggers an inspection.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Story County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

1. All decayed or unwholesome food offered for sale to the public. 2. All diseased animals running at large. 3. Carcasses of animals not buried or destroyed within 24 hours. 4. Garbage or refuse cans which are not fly tight. 5. The pollution of any well, cistern, spring, tile system, lake, river, stream, canal, or body of water. ... ... 10. Accumulations of manure, rubbish, derelict appliances, broken furniture, or other solid waste that remains in place for a duration that would be injurious to public health and safety. 1 ... ... 2. Emission of dense smoke, noxious fumes, or fly ash into the air.

View official code

Full Breakdown

05 flatly prohibits creating or maintaining one. 07 then lists twelve specific categories that count: decayed or unwholesome food offered for sale; diseased animals running at large; unburied or undestroyed animal carcasses after 24 hours; garbage or refuse cans that are not fly-tight; pollution of a well, cistern, spring, tile system, or other water body; hazardous storage or use of toxic substances; buildings dangerous for occupancy from structural or sanitary defects; premises that harbor vermin such as flies, mice, cockroaches, or rats; unsafe drinking-water supplies; accumulations of manure, rubbish, derelict appliances, or other solid waste; sites with confirmed hazardous materials such as lead, asbestos, mold, or radon; and emission of dense smoke, noxious fumes, or fly ash. m. 08. Chapter 55 sets no penalty of its own, so a violation falls back to the county's default provisions.

Violations & Fines

Because Chapter 55 has no penalty section of its own, a nuisance violation defaults to the county's standard penalty, §3.01, a fine of $65 to $625 with up to 30 days in jail, or the county infraction civil-penalty schedule in §3.02, up to $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for each repeat, with every day the nuisance continues counting as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report a nuisance in unincorporated Story County?
Contact the Story County Environmental Health Department, the agency designated under §55.04 to enforce Chapter 55. EH can inspect the property, take statements, photographs, and samples under §55.08, generally between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays, and can act sooner with the occupant's consent or in an emergency.
What counts as a public health nuisance in Story County?
Section 55.07 lists twelve categories: spoiled food, diseased animals at large, unburied carcasses, leaking garbage cans, polluted water, toxic-substance hazards, dangerous buildings, vermin-harboring property, unsafe drinking water, junk and manure accumulations, confirmed hazardous materials, and dense smoke or fumes.
What is the penalty for a nuisance violation in Story County?
Chapter 55 sets no fine of its own, so violations default to the county's standard penalty of $65 to $625 with up to 30 days in jail, or a civil infraction of up to $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for each repeat day.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Story County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsResponse TimesSome RestrictionsHow to ReportSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome Restrictions

All Story County rules

Compare Story County to another location·View the Iowa code violation reporting overview

Get notified when Common Violations in Story County, IA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.