Right to Farm in Black Hawk County, IA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Black Hawk County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Farm Nuisance Protection

Black Hawk County Code Section 18.75.040 blocks nuisance lawsuits against a farm operating in an agricultural zoning district, using accepted practices, since before the alleged nuisance arose. Neighbors who move in next to an established farm inside an agricultural district cannot later sue over routine farm noise, odor or dust.

Black Hawk County Right-to-Farm Nuisance Protection

Some Restrictions

Black Hawk County Code § 18.75.040

No nuisance suit, action or proceeding, alleging that an agricultural operation is a public or private nuisance, shall be maintained in the district court if: A. The agricultural operation was conducted within an agricultural district at the time the nuisance was alleged to have arisen; and B. The agricultural operation was conducted in accordance with accepted agricultural practices at the tim...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Agricultural Zoning Protection

Unincorporated Black Hawk County ties its right-to-farm protections to three zoning classifications. BHCC 18.75.030 defines an agricultural district as land zoned A agricultural, A-L agricultural-limited, or A-R agricultural-residential on the county's official zoning maps, and agricultural operation broadly enough to cover machinery noise, spraying, livestock confinement, and farm labor.

Black Hawk County Agricultural District & Right to Farm

Some Restrictions

Black Hawk County Code § 18.75.030

“Agricultural district” means lands found in the unincorporated areas of Black Hawk County classified as “A” agricultural district, “A-L” agricultural-limited district, and “A-R” agricultural-residential district as specified upon the official Black Hawk County zoning maps, adopted June 27, 1980, and as subsequently amended. ... “Agricultural operation” means conditions or activities that occur...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Black Hawk County ordinances

See every category we cover for Black Hawk County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Black Hawk County Ordinance Hub →