Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 331.384 (2026)

Abatement of public health and safety hazards — special assessments

✓ current as of July 2026

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1. A county may:

a. Require the abatement of a nuisance, public or private, in any reasonable manner.

b. Require the removal of diseased trees or dead wood, except on publicly owned property or right-of-way.\n\nTue Dec 09 22:15:27 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 331 (101, 6) 59 COUNTY HOME RULE IMPLEMENTATION, §331.385\n\n c. Require the removal, repair, or dismantling of an abandoned or dangerous building or structure.

d. Require the numbering of buildings.

e. Require connection to public drainage systems from abutting property when necessary for public health or safety.

f. Require the cutting or destruction of weeds or other growth which constitutes a health, safety, or fire hazard.

2. If the property owner does not perform an action required under this section within a reasonable time after notice, a county may perform the required action and assess the costs against the property for collection in the same manner as a property tax. Notice may be in the form of an ordinance or by certified mail to the property owner as shown by the records of the county auditor, and shall state the time within which action is required. However, in an emergency, a county may perform any action which may be required under this section without prior notice and assess the costs as provided in this section after notice to the property owner and hearing.

3. If any amount assessed against property under this section exceeds five hundred dollars, a county may permit the assessment to be paid in up to ten annual installments in the same manner and with the same interest rates provided for assessments against benefited property under chapter 384, subchapter IV.

4. A special assessment levied pursuant to this section, including all interest and penalties, is a lien against the benefited property from the date of filing the schedule of assessments until the assessment is paid. A special assessment has equal precedence with ordinary taxes and is not divested by judicial sale.

5. The procedures for making and levying a special assessment pursuant to this section and for an appeal of the assessment are the same procedures as provided in sections 384.59 through 384.67 and sections 384.72 through 384.75, provided that the references in those sections to the council shall be to the board of supervisors and the references to the city shall be to the county. 90 Acts, ch 1197, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1204, §25; 2012 Acts, ch 1138, §97; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §127 \n

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1998–2023 · leading case: Goodell v. Humboldt Cnty., 575 N.W.2d 486 (Iowa 1998).

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Goodell v. Humboldt Cnty., 575 N.W.2d 486 (Iowa 1998). · cites it 6× “" See Iowa Code § 331.384 (1)(a). Ordinance 25 regulates odors emanating from confinement operations by setting a limit on off-site "toxic air emissions.”

Rita McNeal & Cliff McNeal v. Wapello Cnty., Wapello Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors (Iowa Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 6× “WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to a procedure if the McNeals fail to clean the Property in accordance with Iowa Code § 331.384 [(2019)] and Wapello County Ordinances.”

Rita McNeal & Cliff McNeal v. Wapello Cnty. & Wapello Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors (Iowa 2023). · cites it 5× “In the second recital, the parties “agreed that the McNeals have received notice pursuant to Iowa Code § 331.384 (2).” The fourth (and final) recital stated, “WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to a procedure if the McNeals fail to clean the Property in accordance with Iowa Code §…”

— Iowa Code § 331.384(1)(a) — 1 case

Goodell v. Humboldt Cnty., 575 N.W.2d 486 (Iowa 1998). “" See Iowa Code § 331.384 (1)(a). Ordinance 25 regulates odors emanating from confinement operations by setting a limit on off-site "toxic air emissions.”

— Iowa Code § 331.384(2) — 1 case

Rita McNeal & Cliff McNeal v. Wapello Cnty., Wapello Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors (Iowa Ct. App. 2022). “WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to a procedure if the McNeals fail to clean the Property in accordance with Iowa Code § 331.384 [(2019)] and Wapello County Ordinances.”

— Iowa Code § 331.384(l)(a) — 1 case

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