Ankeny, IA Noise from Specific Sources: Delivery Truck Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Restricted hours
- 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Zoning exemption
- Retail/commercial/industrial land
- Governing section
- § 44.05(10)
- Related exemption
- § 44.07(8) business operations
- Minimum fine
- $100 plus surcharge/costs
Summary
In the City of Ankeny, Iowa, outdoor loading and unloading noise, including handling boxes, crates and dumpsters, is a prohibited noise disturbance between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under the City Code, but retail, commercial and industrial zoned property is exempt from the time limit entirely.
10. Loading and Unloading. The sound made by outdoor loading, unloading, opening, closing, or handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, trash cans, receptacles, and/or dumpsters, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless the activity is occurring on property zoned as retail, commercial or industrial which shall be exempt from time provisions. ... All violations of any provision(s) of Section 44.05 are hereby declared simple misdemeanors punishable by a fine of at least $100 plus surcharge and court costs and/or municipal infractions punishable by a penalty as listed in Chapter 4 of this Code of Ordinances.
Full Breakdown
Ankeny Code of Ordinances Section 44.05(10) lists "Loading and Unloading" among the sounds that constitute a noise disturbance: outdoor loading, unloading, opening, closing or handling of boxes, crates, containers, building materials, trash cans, receptacles and dumpsters is restricted to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. The section carves out a broad exception for property zoned retail, commercial or industrial, which is exempt from the time provisions altogether, meaning a delivery truck unloading at 3:00 a.m. behind a warehouse or big-box store on commercially zoned land does not trigger this subsection, while the same activity next to a residential zone at night does.
Section 44.07(8) separately confirms that sound from a company's business operations on retail, commercial or industrial property, including loading and unloading at any time, is exempt from Chapter 44 generally, but that exception does not cover amplified sound or music. Enforcement is by the Ankeny Police Department and code enforcement officers under Chapter 44, with the same charging discretion, misdemeanor or municipal infraction, that applies to every other listed noise disturbance in Section 44.05.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 44.05(10) is a simple misdemeanor with a fine starting at $100 plus surcharge and court costs, or a municipal infraction under Chapter 4 with civil penalties up to $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for each repeat offense (Section 4.03(1)); the charging officer decides which track applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a delivery truck unload behind a store at night in Ankeny?
Is unloading noise near a residential zone restricted in Ankeny?
Who enforces Ankeny's loading-noise rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ankeny
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