Black Hawk County, IA Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)

050 puts the reporting mechanism in plain terms: the Health Officer investigates upon complaint of any person, or on his or her own initiative, any health nuisance within the Black Hawk County Health Department's jurisdiction. 030, from garbage and vermin harborage to contaminated wells and unsanitary rental plumbing. 070(A), the county must order the responsible property owner or occupant to abate the nuisance through a written notice that states the reasons for the order, allows reasonable time to comply, and is served by certified mail or posted conspicuously on the property.

060 lets the Officer swear a complaint before a county magistrate, who can issue a warrant directing a peace officer to accompany the Health Officer onto the property between sunrise and sunset. 080(B) to appeal in writing to the Board of Health, which schedules a hearing and can modify, withdraw or affirm the order, with further appeal available to Black Hawk County district court within 20 days of the Board's decision. This complaint process runs through the Black Hawk County Health Department and applies to unincorporated county property; residents inside Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, Hudson, La Porte City, Dunkerton, Gilbertville, Elk Run Heights or Raymond report suspected nuisances to their own city's code office instead.