Story County, IA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Chapter 40 of the Story County Code of Ordinances exists to satisfy the separation requirement in Iowa Code Chapters 455B and 455D and Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 567-105, which bar yard waste from being landfilled with regular trash. 02 defines yard waste as debris such as grass clippings, leaves, garden waste, brush and trees, specifically excluding tree stumps from that definition. 03 places the disposal duty on the property owner: yard waste must be kept separate from all other waste products and disposed of by the owner in an appropriate manner, with composting, incineration, and land application named as acceptable methods.

The same section restricts putting yard waste in the road right-of-way: it may not go there unless a licensed collection agency is going to pick it up within 48 hours, which keeps brush and grass piles from becoming a standing hazard along county roads (a concern the county separately treats as an unauthorized-use problem under Chapter 33 when it lingers). 04 lets the Board of Supervisors implement special disposal procedures by resolution during a natural disaster or other emergency conditions, temporarily loosening the normal separation and placement rules while storm debris is cleared.