Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 318.3 (2026)

Obstructions in highway right-of-way

✓ current as of July 2026

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A person shall not place, or cause to be placed, an obstruction within any highway right-of-way. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:

1. The excavation, filling, or making of any physical changes to any part of the highway right-of-way, except as provided under section 318.8.

2. The cultivation or growing of crops within the highway right-of-way.

3. The destruction of plants placed within the highway right-of-way.

4. The placing of fences or ditches within the highway right-of-way.

5. The alteration of ditches, water breaks, or drainage tiles within the highway right-of-way.

6. The placement of trash, litter, debris, waste material, manure, rocks, crops or crop residue, brush, vehicles, machinery, or other items within the highway right-of-way.

7. The placement of billboards, signs, or advertising devices within the highway right-of-way.\n\nTue Dec 09 22:16:12 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 318 (17, 0) §318.3, OBSTRUCTIONS IN HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY 2\n\n 8. The placement of any red reflector, or any object or other device which shall cause the effect of a red reflector on the highway right-of-way which is visible to passing motorists. 2006 Acts, ch 1097, §3 Referred to in §318.6, 318.8 \n

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 2009–2018 · leading case: Thompson v. Kaczinski, 774 N.W.2d 829 (Iowa 2009).

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Thompson v. Kaczinski, 774 N.W.2d 829 (Iowa 2009). · cites it 24× “" An "obstruction" is defined as "an obstacle in the highway right-of-way or an impediment or hindrance which impedes, opposes, or interferes with free passage along the highway right-of-way.”

City of Des Moines v. Iowa Dep't of Transp. & Iowa Transp. Comm'n, 911 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2018). · cites it 5× “§ 318.3. The list of potential obstructions in Iowa Code section 318.”

Charles W. Thompson & Karyl J. Thompson Vs. James F. Kaczinski & Michelle K. Lockwood (Iowa 2009). · cites it 12× “1097, § 3 (codified at Iowa Code § 318.3 (2007)). Section 318.3 provides a person “shall not place, or cause to be placed, an obstruction within any highway right-of-way.”

City of Des Moines v. Iowa DOT (Iowa 2018). · cites it 6× “§ 318.3. The list of potential obstructions in Iowa Code section 318.”

— Iowa Code § 318.3(1) — 2 cases

City of Des Moines v. Iowa Dep't of Transp. & Iowa Transp. Comm'n, 911 N.W.2d 431 (Iowa 2018). “§ 318.3. The list of potential obstructions in Iowa Code section 318.”

City of Des Moines v. Iowa DOT (Iowa 2018). “§ 318.3. The list of potential obstructions in Iowa Code section 318.”

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