Property Maintenance

• Grass – Turf grasses cannot exceed 12 inches in height (Sec.30.5(11))
• Weeds – Noxious weeds (as defined in the Iowa Code here) or any other plant deemed hazardous to persons or property by the City are prohibited (Sec 30.5(13))
• Dangerous Trees - Trees in such a state of deterioration, as determined by the City, that any part of such tree presents an immediate threat to the safety of persons or property are prohibited (Sec. 30.5(12))

The right-of-way (ROW) is the city-owned area outside adjacent to private property lines. Typically, this encompasses the area between the street and about one foot in from the sidewalk. This area is owned by the City but management of the area is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. The following are common maintenance violations found in the right-of-way areas:

• Visibility Triangle Encroachment - Items between 3 and 10 feet in height are prohibited from being located in the visibility triangle. The visibility triangle is defined on page 32 in Chapter 29

• Debris on Sidewalk - Snow, ice, mud, gravel, grass clippings, leaves or other accumulations cannot remain on a sidewalk for more than 10 daylight hours after the cessation of the storm or cause of the accumulation (Sec.30.5(6))

• Low Limbs – Vegetation located on private property hanging over public streets must have at least 16 feet of clearance above the public street. Vegetation located on private property that hangs over or into public sidewalks must have at least 8 feet of clearance above the sidewalk. (Sec. 30.5(9))

• Vegetation in ROW - Vegetation located in the City right-of-way cannot exceed 12 inches in height within one foot of the traveled portion of the street. Streets designated as no parking may have vegetation exceeding 12 inches in height within one foot of the traveled portion of the street. Plantings that cause safety issues would be subject to removal, regardless of height, at the City’s discretion. Non-vegetative materials such as trellises or chicken wire are prohibited in the right-of-way. Exceptions: those areas approved by the City as stormwater or native vegetation preservation areas. (Sec. 30.5(8))

• Objects – No items can be placed in the ROW including fences, buildings, structures, signs or otherwise (Sec. 30.5(5))

• Yard Waste – Yard Waste stored on the exterior of a property in anything other than a trash disposal container or branches which could be broken down and bundled for longer than seven days. Yard waste may be retained for longer than seven days if composting is being completed. Composting shall comply with the state regulations contained in Chapter 105 of the Iowa Administrative Code. (Sec. 30.5(3))

(a) Composting piles may include: yard waste including leaves, grass clippings, straw and hay, sawdust, and finely chopped shredded tree and shrub prunings; kitchen scraps including fruit and vegetable trimmings(including rhubarb leaves), coffee grounds, and eggshells; shredded newspapers; wood ashes (no more than one cup per bushel of compost).

(b) Composting piles cannot include: human or animal feces; diseased plant material or weeds that have gone to seed; kitchen scraps that include animal meat, bones or fat; and all other materials not listed in subsection (a) above.

• Containers - Refuse, garbage, or junk that is not contained in a trash disposal container; noxious substances; or hazardous wastes remaining in any outdoor place for more than 72 hours (Sec. 30.5(2))

• Garbage Receptacle RENTAL PROPERTIES ONLY – Every occupant of a structure shall dispose of refuse, garbage, and other organic waste in a clean and sanitary manner, by placing it in disposal facilities or storage containers, and by re-closing or replacing container lids. It is the occupant’s responsibility to move containers to and from the curb when curbside service is contracted, within 24 hours. Occupants are required to make special arrangements to have removed within 48 hours any items which will not be picked up by regular contracted service. (Sec. 13.410(2)

• Junk Vehicle – Junked vehicles cannot be stored outdoors for more than 48 hours. (Sec. 30.5(21))

Exceptions:

1. Junked vehicles stored within a garage or other enclosed structure.
2. One (1) junked vehicle per property may be stored outdoors for no more than 30 days cumulative per vehicle per calendar year in compliance with Ames Municipal Code Section 29.304(3) Prohibited Uses when concealed and enclosed behind an opaque wall at least six feet in height, or completely covered by a tight-fitting opaque cloth vehicle cover or tight-fitting cloth tarpaulin.
3. Junked vehicles stored upon the premises of a duly authorized salvage yard or junk yard and meeting the requirements of the Ames Municipal Code.

• Furniture/Appliances – Upholstered or finished furniture intended for indoor usage such as couches, beds, mattresses, desks, chairs, shelving or wooden tables, other household furnishings or equipment including carpeting, appliances and other typical household items intended for indoor usage, placed or used outdoors (Sec. 30.5(15)

• RV/Trailer/Boat – Travel trailers, recreational vehicles, boats, or boat trailers must be parked on approved surfaces and cannot be used for living purposes  (Sec. 30.5(22)).

• One (1) junked vehicle shall be permitted to be stored per property for up to 30 days outdoors cumulative per vehicle per calendar year accessory to a residential use. Storage of a junked vehicle is subject to all parking area and driveway standards of 29.406.
• One (1) unoccupied recreational vehicle, boat, or trailer is permitted to be stored in the rear yard or wholly in the side yard of the lot accessory to a residential use. Storage of an unoccupied recreational vehicle, boat, or trailer is subject to all parking area and driveway standards of 29.406.

Citizens can file a complaint in several different ways:

Ames on the Go - Our mobile app that allows you to submit the exact location and photo of the concern

Email - Concerns can be emailed directly to the Community Codes Liaison or to inspections@cityofames.org

Phone - Please call us at 515-239-5153

Mail - Send us a letter at Inspections - 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010

Our Community Codes Liaison will schedule an inspection at the property for which a complaint was received. If there is a verified violation, the Community Codes Liaison will attempt to speak with the property owner directly. If an owner is not present, we will leave a door hanger or follow up with a phone call, email, or mailed letter. Each of these correspondences will include a date that the concern should be resolved by. Please contact us if you have concerns about the deadline or are unsure how to comply.

Our Community Codes Liaison will make many attempts to achieve compliance with the property owner. However, if compliance is not being met in a timely manner, a citation may be issued. Citations for most violations begin at $50 and are filed with the Court. The City will seek permission to abate the violation from the Court if the owner is found guilty of the violation. Any abatement costs incurred by City will be assessed to the property owner in the same manner as property taxes.