Cedar Rapids, IA Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- Red light fine
- $100 flat civil fine
- Speed trigger
- 10+ mph over posted limit
- Top speed fine
- $500 ($1,000 in construction zone)
- Challenge window
- 30 days to pay or contest
- Driving record
- never reported to Iowa DOT
- Governing section
- § 61.138
Summary
Cedar Rapids runs automated cameras at designated intersections that fine vehicle owners $100 for running a red light and up to $500 for speeding more than 30 mph over the limit, doubled in construction zones, under Municipal Code § 61.138. Citations are civil, not criminal, and never go on your driving record, but owners get 30 days to pay or challenge before enforcement escalates.
(c)Vehicle Owner Subject to Civil Fine for Automated Traffic Citations.1.If a vehicle is detected crossing a marked stop line or the intersection plane at a system location when the traffic signal for that vehicle's direction is emitting a steady red light or arrow, the Vehicle Owner shall be subject to a civil fine as scheduled below in subsection 61.138(d).2.If a vehicle is detected traveling at a speed more than 10 mph above the posted limit, the Vehicle Owner shall be subject to a civil fine as scheduled below in subsection 61.138(d)...(d)2.Any violation of subsection 61.138(c)(1) above shall be subject to a civil fine of one hundred dollars.3.Any violation of subsection 61.138 (c)(2) above shall be subject to a civil fine as scheduled in the table below, and the fine for any violation committed in a designated construction zone (as provided by the Code of Iowa), shall be doubled, as scheduled below, subject in any event to the limit on fines sought in municipal infractions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24).
Full Breakdown
138 authorizes a camera system, which may be run by a private contractor under police department supervisory control, to photograph vehicles that cross a marked stop line or intersection plane on a steady red light or arrow, or that travel more than 10 mph over the posted limit. A Cedar Rapids police officer must review the images and confirm the violation before a citation issues. Fines are set on a schedule: a red light violation is a flat $100 civil fine; speeding draws $75 (11-20 mph over), $100 (21-25 mph over), $250 (26-30 mph over), or $500 (over 30 mph over), and every one of those speed fines doubles in a designated construction zone, up to $1,000.
The Automated Traffic Enforcement Contractor must mail notice within 30 days of identifying the owner, listing the violation, time, date, location, fine, and how to challenge it. The vehicle owner then has 30 days to pay or submit a written challenge; the City must rule on a challenge within 30 days, rescinding the citation if it's successful. Citations exempt vehicles already ticketed the traditional way, vehicles reported stolen at the time of the violation, authorized emergency vehicles, vehicles yielding to an emergency vehicle, and vehicles in a lawful funeral procession. 138(c)(4) makes clear that no automated citation is ever reported to the Iowa DOT or another state's driving record.
Violations & Fines
Ignore the 30-day payment or challenge window and the City can file a municipal infraction against the vehicle owner in Linn County District Court under Municipal Code § 1.12 and Iowa Code § 364.22, seeking the fine plus the state filing fee and court costs. A judgment can draw interest and be sent to the State of Iowa Income Offset program for collection. The City may also try to collect through a private collection agent before filing suit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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