In unincorporated Polk County, residential fences may be up to 4.5 feet in the front yard and 6 feet in side/rear yards, never over 6.5 feet overall. Non-residential fences max out at 12 feet. Cities like Des Moines or Ankeny set their own limits.
The Polk County Zoning Ordinance regulates fences on unincorporated land only. Residential fences cannot exceed 4.5 feet in the front-yard setback or 6 feet in side and rear yards, and because of grade changes no fence may exceed 6.5 feet overall from ground to top. Structural supports (posts/rails) must face the property interior. Non-residential fences are capped at 12 feet except those built for recreation or securing correctional/military facilities. Fences must never obstruct a required sight distance at corners or driveways. If your property is inside an incorporated city, that city's fence code governs instead of the county's.
Zoning Administrator may assess the maximum civil penalty per day for each continuing violation as set in the Polk County Code, plus stop-work orders and permit holds.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Polk County allows backyard composting but regulates it through the Health Nuisance Regulation: a compost pile that harbors vermin, produces offensive odors,...
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Polk County has no ordinance for or against artificial turf on residential lots. Installation on unincorporated land is generally unrestricted; cities and HO...
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Polk County has no ordinance banning native or prairie landscaping, and the county promotes native roadside vegetation. The one legal limit: your planting ca...
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Iowa has no state ban on collecting rainwater, and Polk County sets no rain-barrel ordinance. Residents may capture roof runoff in barrels or cisterns; only ...
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Polk County sets no lawn-watering schedule. Central Iowa's water is managed by Central Iowa Water Works / Des Moines Water Works, which can impose voluntary ...
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Iowa Code 317.10 requires every landowner to destroy all noxious weeds on their land as directed by the county board of supervisors. Polk County's Weed Commi...
See how Polk County's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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