Ankeny, IA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Section 110.07 promotes recycling of yard and certain kitchen wastes through composting while setting minimum standards for proper maintenance. Every compost pile must be enclosed in a free-standing bin no larger than 125 cubic feet in volume and no taller than 42 inches, maintained to prevent rodent and pest harborage, unpleasant odors, and blight on the surrounding property. Bins must sit at least three feet from a property line or the principal building or dwelling, and at least three feet from any detached accessory building; a bin may only go in a rear yard, or in a side yard if screened from street view under a variance.

A property owner who cannot meet the setback because of hardship can apply to the Building Inspector for an annual variance, which requires signed written approval from the adjacent property owner and may come with a screening or fencing condition. Prohibited ingredients include lakeweeds, cooked food scraps, fish, meat or other animal products, and manures, along with large items that would impede composting; permitted ingredients are yard waste, coffee grounds, used tea leaves, uncooked plant matter free of meat, fish or dairy, and commercial compost additives.

Every owner or operator is responsible for keeping their compost in compliance, and each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense under § 110.07(6).