City of Ottumwa Chosen as Overnight Stop for RAGBRAI LI

Yard parking code in effect

posted March 9, 2015

The Ottumwa City Council recently approved a revision to the Nuisance Code (Ottumwa Municipal Code, Chapter 24) relating to parking vehicles in the front yard in residential areas. Parking of motor vehicles and trailers in the front yard portion of any residential lot, except on an improved, hard-surfaced area or driveway, is now prohibited. Vehicles parked in the area between the street and the front of the home must be on a driveway or improved surface.

Parking in the yard opens the door to a number of issues that negatively impact the quality of neighborhoods. It reduces the amount of green space by killing grass and even trees. Soon muddy ruts can develop, tracking mud and debris across sidewalks and streets. The purpose of this change is to improve neighborhoods for all residents and property owners.

City of Ottumwa Director of Health and Inspections Jody Gates said, "We want to get the word out about this change and help residents find better parking solutions. As with other sections of the nuisance code, when our inspectors note a violation, they leave a written notice giving the vehicle owner five days to correct the situation. We understand that this change may cause some inconvenience for residents at first. The City is committed to working with residents to minimize hardships and give reasonable time for people working toward voluntary compliance. The ordinance is a step toward the goal of clean and nuisance free atmosphere for all Ottumwa neighborhoods."

The new code is intended to address regular, daily or long term parking in front yards. It was specifically designed to allow residents some leeway for unusual situations. Parking in the front yard is allowed during snow emergencies or occasions when a resident may need additional parking for guests at gatherings such as a family reunion or birthday party. Short term parking in the yard for loading or unloading heavy items, moving or for vehicles and equipment being used for construction/renovation work is acceptable.

If a property is found to have vehicles inappropriately parked in the front yard, the vehicle owner is given a written notice explaining the violation. The owner will have five days to correct the situation. If the owner fails to remove the vehicles from the front yard in a timely manner, the City can issue a civil citation and have the vehicle removed and impounded.

Fines for civil citations are; the first violation in a 12-month period carries a $250 fine (plus court costs), second violation increases to a $500 fine and third and subsequent violations in the same 12 month period carry a $750 fine. A property owner or occupant would have to be nuisance free for 12 months for the cost of citations to revert back to the $250 level.

Share News

More News from Building and Code Enforcement

Landfill Tarp Violation Fee Set to Increase April 1, 2023

February 28, 2023

The Ottumwa/Wapello County Solid Waste Commission is cracking down on litter along roadways around the Landfill.

Weekly Trash Collection Reminders and Illegal Dumping

February 28, 2023

Ottumwa Trash and Recycling Customers are reminded that their weekly curbside collection allows for a maximum of one appliance or bulky item (like furniture) per week. 

City to Provide $10,000 Grants for Building New Single-Family Homes

July 6, 2022

The City of Ottumwa will now provide $10,000 to homebuilders or homeowners who complete a new single-family home.

Garbage and Recycling Reminders

September 6, 2019

Residents are reminded that on your day of garbage and recycling pick-up, to have your containers on the curb by 4:00 a.m. and to not place containers on the curb no more than 18 hours before pick-up.

Appliance Recycling Reminder

July 9, 2019

Residents are reminded that for curbside collection of appliances, you will need to affix a pink $5 appliance tag to the appliance. The tags are available for purchase at major retailers.

Recycling Center Information

April 4, 2019

The Ottumwa Recycling Center opened in June of 1992.  Recycling operations have remained relatively unchanged. The communities we serve were the same then as now, with the exception of Eddyville leaving our planning area to join Mahaska Counties planning area. All but the very smallest communities had curbside collection then, and still do. T

©2024 City of Ottumwa