Polk County, IA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 1+ inch of snow, NWS Des Moines gauge
- Coverage
- 136 posted street segments only
- Fine
- Up to $100 or 10 days jail
- Each day
- Counted as a separate offense
- Enforcement
- Polk County Sheriff's Department tows/impounds
- Redemption window
- 31 days at Sheriff's Patrol HQ
- Redemption address
- 6023 NE 14th St, Des Moines
Summary
Unincorporated Polk County bans parking on 136 specifically listed street segments once the most recent snowfall reaches one inch, measured by the National Weather Service in Des Moines, and the ban stays in force until plows finish clearing the street. Only routes actually posted with NO PARKING DURING SNOW REMOVAL signs are covered, not every county road.
13.1 SNOW ROUTE RESTRICTIONS. Standing or parking of vehicles upon a street or streets designated NO PARKING DURING SNOW REMOVAL shall be prohibited at any time when the accumulation of snow from the most recent snowfall measures one inch or more, as measured by the National Weather Services in Des Moines and before snow removal operations have resulted in the removal or clearance of snow from such streets. ... 13.4 SNOW ROUTE - PENALTY. The registered owner of any motor vehicle parked or standing contrary to the provisions of this ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment not exceeding 10 days. Each day of any violation of the provisions of the ordinance shall constitute a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 13 of the county code names each covered segment by street and cross-street, from NE 27th St north of NE 44th Ave to SE 14th Pl east of SE 55th St, totaling 136 mapped routes. 1, standing or parking on any of those streets is prohibited at any time the most recent snowfall measured one inch or more at the National Weather Service's Des Moines gauge and before county crews have cleared the accumulation. 3 puts the County Engineer, or a designate, in charge of erecting and maintaining the NO PARKING DURING SNOW REMOVAL signs at each affected street's entrance, built to the Iowa DOT's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or approved by the DOT Traffic Engineer directly; a route without a posted sign is not enforceable under this chapter.
The Polk County Sheriff's Department, or an agent it authorizes, may physically remove and impound any vehicle stopped or parked in violation, storing it in one of the county's designated garages. 6, the owner has 31 days from impoundment to get a release from Polk County Sheriff's Patrol Headquarters at 6023 NE 14th Street, Des Moines, and must pay the towing and storage fees before the garage or towing service will release the vehicle.
Violations & Fines
The registered owner of a vehicle parked or standing on a posted snow route in violation of Section 13.1 faces a fine of up to $100 or up to 10 days in jail under Section 13.4, and each day the vehicle stays put is charged as a separate offense. The Sheriff's Department can tow and impound the vehicle immediately rather than just ticketing it. If the owner does not redeem the vehicle within 31 days by paying the towing and storage charges at Sheriff's Patrol Headquarters, Section 13.7 converts it into an abandoned vehicle handled under state law, which can lead to sale or disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much snow triggers the Polk County snow route parking ban?
Does the snow parking ban apply to every street in unincorporated Polk County?
What happens if my car gets towed off a Polk County snow route?
What is the fine for violating the snow route parking ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Polk County
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