Code Violation Reporting in Story County, IA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Story County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
How to Report
Story County's Board of Health regulations, covering nuisances, wells, septic systems, pools and more, are enforced complaint-first: County Code Section 72.04 requires the Environmental Health Department to try inspection, notification and voluntary compliance before it ever issues a citation, and Section 72.05 spells out the written Notice of Violation that follows if a violation is confirmed.
Story County Health Code Complaint Process
Some RestrictionsStory County Code of Ordinances §§ 72.04, 72.05
72.04 VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE. In an effort to gain compliance with environmental health regulations, EH shall first attempt compliance through inspection, notification, and request for voluntary compliance. When all reasonable efforts have failed and administrative remedies have been exhausted, EH may issue a citation to any person, firm, or corporation determined to be committing a Board of He...
Response Times
When Story County Environmental Health receives a formal complaint about a private water well or its distribution system, County Code Section 61.10(3) requires EH to open a complaint investigation within three business days, one of only three circumstances that trigger a mandatory well inspection under the Board of Health rules.
Story County Well Complaint Investigation Timeline
Some RestrictionsStory County Code of Ordinances § 61.10(3)
61.10 INSPECTIONS OF EXISTING WATER WELLS AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS. ... Existing wells and water supplies shall be inspected and analyzed by the EH in the following circumstances: ... ... 3. When a complaint regarding a water well or distribution system is received EH shall initiate complaint investigations within three business days of receiving a formal complaint.
Common Violations
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.
Story County Public Health Nuisance List
Some RestrictionsStory County Code of Ordinances § 55.07
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,...
All Story County ordinances
See every category we cover for Story County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Story County Ordinance Hub →