Ankeny, IA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Ankeny Code of Ordinances Section 177.07 establishes the Ankeny Housing Code within Section 102.12 of the Property Maintenance and Housing Code. Section 102.12.2 lets existing buildings generally continue under previously adopted building codes, except structures found substandard as defined in the code, which must instead be brought into compliance. Section 102.12.15 makes any violation of the Housing Code a municipal infraction under Chapter 4. Section 102.12.16 authorizes the Code Official to bring a civil action or proceeding whenever a dwelling, building or structure is constructed, altered, converted or maintained in violation of the chapter, or where a nuisance exists in or on the structure or lot, seeking to restrain, correct or abate the violation or nuisance, or to stop illegal occupation, use or business conducted there.

Section 102.12.17 lets the Code Official petition the district court for an injunction barring work on, occupancy of, or use of the property until final judgment. Section 102.12.18 goes further, letting the Code Official ask the court for authority to execute and carry out an unheeded notice or order, in effect performing the correction itself. Section 102.12.22 adds financial leverage: once the City gives notice of a violation, the owner cannot recover rent for the noncompliant period until a valid inspection certificate issues. Housing Inspectors within the Community Development Department carry out inspections and enforcement as Code Official designees under Section 102.12.4.