3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Polk County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
Polk County's single-family bulk standards set minimum yard setbacks by zoning district. In Low Density Residential (LDR) the minimums are 35 feet front, 10 feet side, and 35 feet rear; agricultural districts require 50 feet front and rear. City-owned land uses municipal setbacks.
Polk County Zoning Ordinance, Table 6.1 (Standard Single Family Regulations)
Setbacks Front 50 50 75 50 35 30 30 30 Side 25 25 25 15 10 8 8 8 Rear 50 50 75 50 35 30 30 30 (Zoning Districts AG AT ER RR LDR MDR HDR MU).
Polk County caps single-family building height at 40 feet in agricultural districts and 35 feet in the residential and mixed-use districts. Accessory buildings cannot exceed the principal building's height or 24 feet, whichever is greater. Cities set their own height limits.
Polk County Zoning Ordinance, Table 6.1 (Standard Single Family Regulations)
Maximum Building Height 40 40 35 35 35 35 35 35 (Zoning Districts AG AT ER RR LDR MDR HDR MU).
Polk County limits maximum building coverage by zoning district, from just 5% in agricultural districts up to 40% in the higher-density residential and mixed-use districts. Coverage counts all principal and accessory buildings. Cities apply their own coverage limits.
Polk County Zoning Ordinance, Table 6.1 (Standard Single Family Regulations)
Maximum Building Coverage 5% 5% 8% 15% 30% 40% 40% 40% (Zoning Districts AG AT ER RR LDR MDR HDR MU).
1 cities in Polk County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Polk County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Polk County Ordinance Hub →