Black Hawk County, IA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- BHCC Chapter 8.10, Nuisance
- Enforcing officer
- Black Hawk County Health Officer
- Applies in
- Unincorporated Black Hawk County only
- Max fine
- $100.00 per day, simple misdemeanor
- Appeal window
- 20 days to Board of Health
- Placard removal
- Separately prohibited by § 8.10.040(B)
Summary
In unincorporated Black Hawk County, the Health Officer can designate a defective or hazardous building unfit for human habitation and order it vacated. Owners must comply within a set deadline, and removing the unfitness placard is itself a separate violation of the nuisance ordinance.
B. Designation of Unfit for Human Occupancy or Habitation. Any building, dwelling, structure, or business may be designated as unfit for human habitation when any defect or condition which is in violation of this regulation has been found to exist and when in the judgment of the Health Officer such defects or conditions create a hazard to the health, safety or welfare of the occupants or of the public. The owner of the building, dwelling, structure or business which has been designated as unfit by the Health Officer shall, within the time limit specified by the Health Officer, vacate or cause for the vacation of the same. No person shall deface or remove a placard from any building, dwelling, structure or business which has been designated as unfit for human habitation by the Health Officer.
Full Breakdown
10, the nuisance ordinance, lets the county Health Officer designate any building, dwelling, structure or business as unfit for human habitation once a defect or condition violating the chapter is found and, in the Health Officer's judgment, creates a hazard to occupants or the public. This applies only in unincorporated Black Hawk County and any area within the Black Hawk County Health Department's jurisdiction; Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, Hudson, La Porte City, Dunkerton, Gilbertville, Elk Run Heights and Raymond each enforce their own municipal housing and nuisance codes.
Once an unfit designation issues, the owner must vacate the structure, or arrange for its vacation, within the deadline the Health Officer sets. 040(B) separately bars anyone from defacing or removing it. 040(A) requires an owner to abate a documented infestation of cockroaches, rodents or other vermin within the Health Officer's specified deadline. 080(B), stating in writing why the order should be rescinded or modified; the Board schedules a hearing and can modify, withdraw or order compliance, with further appeal to Black Hawk County district court within 20 days. 110 lets the Health Officer direct the abatement directly and bill the cost as a lien against the property.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 8.10, including failing to vacate a building designated unfit for habitation or defacing/removing the unfitness placard, is a simple misdemeanor under BHCC 8.10.100 punishable by a fine of not more than $100.00 upon conviction, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. The Health Officer and authorized representatives enforce the chapter, and citations may be issued by duly authorized peace officers under BHCC 8.10.090.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can declare a building unfit for habitation in Black Hawk County?
Does this apply inside Waterloo or Cedar Falls?
Can I appeal an unfit-for-habitation order?
What happens if I don't fix the problem myself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Black Hawk County
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