Accessory Structures in Black Hawk County, IA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Black Hawk County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
Shed & Carport Rules
In unincorporated Black Hawk County, accessory buildings and sheds must sit in the side or rear yard, stay at least three feet from the main house, and top out at 20 feet. A one- or two-family home is capped at 1,000 square feet of accessory space, or up to six percent of the lot if larger, with a hard 9,000-square-foot ceiling under BHCC 18.70.100.
Black Hawk County Accessory Building & Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsBlack Hawk County Code § 18.70.100
All accessory buildings shall be placed in the side or rear yard. An unattached accessory building shall maintain a clearance of three feet (wall to wall) between the principal permitted building and the accessory building. ... An accessory building which is not a part of the main building shall not occupy more than 30 percent of the required rear yard and shall not exceed 20 feet in height; ho...
Tiny Homes
In unincorporated Black Hawk County, Iowa, a tiny home wider than eight feet is legally a mobile home, not a recreational vehicle. County code confines mobile homes used for dwelling purposes to approved mobile home parks unless the placement fits one of a handful of narrow exceptions.
Tiny Homes in Unincorporated Black Hawk County
Significant RestrictionsBlack Hawk County Code §§ 18.10.010, 18.95.010
“Recreational vehicles or tiny homes wider than eight feet shall be considered a mobile home and not a recreational vehicle.” ... “Mobile home ... s to be used for dwelling purposes shall be placed only in mobile home parks except as may be herewith set forth. A mobile home park may be established in only designated districts provided a permit is secured as set forth herein.”
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