The Building Services Department is responsible for investigating citizen concerns involving alleged zoning violations. Code Enforcement Officers are assigned to investigate alleged violations of Chapter 32 of the Municipal Code, which is the City's Zoning Code. The Zoning Code was adopted for the purpose of improving and protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare for the citizens of Cedar Rapids.
The most common zoning concerns submitted to the Building Services Department are:
- Motor vehicles, boats, recreational vehicles, trailers, or other vehicles parked on non-approved hard surfaces
- Improper surface materials for driveway, parking space construction, or expansion
- Fence issues, such as use of improper materials, installation without a permit, and improper heights
- Removal of screening or buffering material (vegetation or privacy fences) between commercial and residential properties or the City's Right-of-Way
- Prohibited signs such as blade signs, feather signs, and lighter than air signs
- Outdoor storage (openly storing junk and debris on property or items manufactured for indoor use only)
- Childcare and/or Development homes
- Home Operated Businesses, such as automotive repair or sales and construction
Submitting a Concern: When submitting a concern, please provide the following information:
- Correct address of the property with alleged zoning violations,
- Description of alleged zoning violations (please include as much information as possible that would help us to correctly identify any/all issues),
- All received complaints are investigated. If you provide your name, address and phone number it allows us to contact you with questions or findings.
