Does Johnson County, IA have its own coastal development ordinance?

No. Johnson County, IA does not appear to have a local coastal development ordinance, Iowa state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Iowa Code.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Johnson County

Johnson County, IA Environmental Rules: Coastal Development (2026)

Few Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Coastal rules: None apply
Reason: Landlocked eastern Iowa
Applies instead: DNR floodway permit
Key waters: Iowa River, Clear Creek, Coralville Lake
Reservoir: US Army Corps manages

Summary

Coastal rules do not apply in Johnson County. This is landlocked eastern Iowa. Work near water here follows Iowa DNR floodway permits, local floodplain ordinances, and Army Corps rules around Coralville Lake.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Johnson County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A person shall not permit, erect, use, or maintain a structure, dam, obstruction, deposit, or excavation in or on a floodway or floodplains, which will adversely affect the efficiency of or unduly restrict the capacity of the floodway, or adversely affect the control, development, protection, allocation, or utilization of the water resources of the state, and the same are declared to be public nuisances.

Source: Iowa CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

There is no ocean or Great Lakes shoreline in Johnson County, so no coastal-development permit or shoreline setback exists. The waters that matter are inland: the Iowa River, Clear Creek, and Coralville Lake, the US Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir behind Coralville Dam. Building, filling, or excavating in a mapped floodway is governed by an Iowa DNR flood plain permit under Iowa Code Chapter 455B and Iowa Administrative Code 567 Chapters 70 to 72, not by any coastal statute. Around Coralville Lake the Corps manages the shoreline and flood pool, and Johnson County plus Iowa City and Coralville administer the local NFIP floodplain program.

Violations & Fines

No coastal permit exists to violate. Placing a structure, fill, or excavation in a floodway without the Iowa DNR flood plain permit is a public nuisance the department can enjoin, abate, or condemn at the violator's cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Johnson County have coastal-development rules?

No. The county is landlocked eastern Iowa with no ocean or lake coast. Iowa DNR floodway permits and local floodplain ordinances apply to work near water instead.

Who controls Coralville Lake's shoreline?

The US Army Corps of Engineers operates Coralville Lake as a flood-control reservoir and manages its shoreline and flood pool. Work near it can need Corps authorization.

Sources & Official References

[1]Iowa Code

Other rules in Johnson County

Flood ZonesSignificant Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight Restrictions

All Johnson County rules

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Coastal Development in Cities Across Johnson County

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