Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 352.1 (2026)

Purpose

✓ current as of July 2026

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1. It is the intent of the general assembly and the policy of this state to provide for the orderly use and development of land and related natural resources in Iowa for residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational purposes, preserve private property rights, protect natural and historic resources and fragile ecosystems of this state including forests, wetlands, rivers, streams, lakes and their shorelines, aquifers, prairies, and recreational areas to promote the efficient use and conservation of energy resources, to promote the creation and maintenance of wildlife habitat, to consider the protection of soil from wind and water erosion and preserve the availability and use of agricultural land for agricultural production, through processes that emphasize the participation of citizens and local governments.

2. The general assembly recognizes the importance of preserving the state’s finite supply of agricultural land. Conversion of farmland to urban development, and other nonfarm uses, reduces future food production capabilities and may ultimately undermine agriculture as a major economic activity in Iowa.

3. It is the intent of the general assembly to provide local citizens and local governments the means by which agricultural land may be protected from nonagricultural development pressures. This may be accomplished by the creation of county land preservation and use plans and policies, adoption of an agricultural land preservation ordinance, or establishment of agricultural areas in which substantial agricultural activities are encouraged, so that land inside these areas or subject to those ordinances is conserved for the production of food, fiber, and livestock, thus assuring the preservation of agriculture as a major factor in the economy of this state. [C79, 81, §93A.1; 82 Acts, ch 1245, §2] C87, §176B.1 C93, §352.1 2017 Acts, ch 54, §76 Referred to in §352.6, 352.12 \n

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 7 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1996–2025 · leading case: Weinhold v. Wolff, 555 N.W.2d 454 (Iowa 1996).

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Weinhold v. Wolff, 555 N.W.2d 454 (Iowa 1996). · cites it 8× “See Iowa Code § 352.1 . Section 352.1 states in pertinent part: The general assembly recognizes the importance of preserving the state's finite supply of agricultural land.”

Petersen v. Harrison Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors, 580 N.W.2d 790 (Iowa 1998). · cites it 11× “Iowa Code § 352.1 (emphasis added). As outlined above, the legislature has articulated a number of interests sought to be advanced by chapter 352.”

Wild v. Allamakee Cnty., 666 N.W.2d 137 (Iowa 2003). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 352.1 (emphasis added). We do not accept the plaintiffs’ contention that the nonagricultural development pressures against which this legislation was designed to protect included the taking of agricultural land for the improvement of local roads.”

In Re Condemnation of Certain Rights, 666 N.W.2d 137 (Iowa 2003). · cites it 4× “Iowa Code § 352.1 (emphasis added). We do not accept the plaintiffs' contention that the nonagricultural development pressures against which this legislation was designed to protect included the taking of agricultural land for the improvement of local roads.”

Petersen v. Harrison Cty. Bd. of Suprvs., 580 N.W.2d 790 (Iowa 1998). · cites it 11× “Iowa Code § 352.1 (emphasis added). As outlined above, the legislature has articulated a number of interests sought to be advanced by chapter 352.”

Susan Miller v. Grundy Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors, Grundy Ctr. Iowa, & Mid Am. Energy Co., Intervenor-Appellee. (Iowa Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 8× “” Iowa Code § 352.1 . Section 352.1 further provides, in part: “It is the intent of the general assembly to provide local citizens and local governments the means by which agricultural land may be protected from nonagricultural development pressures.”

The Law Off. of Shawn Shearer, P.C., Shawn Shearer & Theodore F. Sporer v. Iowa Dist. Court for Fremont Cnty. (Iowa 2025). · cites it 4× “1 was a typographical error intended to cite to section 352.1—the “purpose” provision identifying the general assembly’s “intent to provide for the orderly use and development of land” in Iowa.”

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