Chapter 55: Animal Protection and Control
In the August 2026 draft recodification (Nuisances and Animal Control), from page 127. Current 55 Animal Protection And Control.
Comparison with a draft: not adopted. The archive holds no public hearing, ordinance or vote adopting the recodified Code through the October 20, 2026 meeting packet. Until one is adopted, every page here compares the consolidated code with a draft that can still change: the revised draft with the October 6 changes is not in the archive.
A comparison with the August 2026 draft recodification prepared by Iowa Codification for the City. The draft has not been adopted and can still change; the current code (unofficial compilation) governs until a recodified Code is adopted. Matches between sections are made by machine from the texts and are reviewed where uncertain.
4 unchanged, 12 wording changed, 3 new · 7 notable changes.
Section by section
§ 55.01 Definitions→ § 55.01 Definitions · Wording changed largely rewritten (53% same words) · compare the texts
- Permit, license or registration: …an investment. D. An amusement or entertainment activity.
5.6. “Commercial establishment” means an animal shelter, boarding kennel, commercial breeder, commercial kennel, dealer, pet shop, pound, public auction, or research facility. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 717.B1(5)) 7. “Community cat” means any free roaming cat that may be cared for by 1 or more residents of an immediate area who are known or unknown; a community cat may or may not be feral. 8. “Eartipping” … “Fair” means any of the following: A. The… - Permit, license or registration: …tropical fish, goldfish, snake, turtle, gecko, or iguana. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 717E.1(5)) 15. “Pound” means a facility for the prevention of cruelty to animals operated by the State, a municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State for the purpose of impounding or harboring seized stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted dogs, cats, or other animals; or a facility operated for such a purpose under a contract with any municipal corporati… …
- New requirement: …person owning, keeping, sheltering or harboring an animal.
10.This shall not include Community Cat caregiver. 14. “Pet” means a living dog, cat, or an… - Text removed: …C. In temporary confinement either tethered or within
an enclosed or invisible fence upon a residential lot with that property owner’s consent; or D. Within a public or private kennel or veterinary hospital; or E. Withina motor vehicle; or F. Enclosed within a…
§ 55.02 Animal Neglect→ § 55.02 Animal Neglect · Wording changed largely rewritten (8% same words) · compare the texts match not yet reviewed: matched by catchline only; 8% of the words agree
- Permit, license or registration: …distress or suffering. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 717B.3) A. Access to food in an amount and quality reasonably sufficient to satisfy the animal’s basic nutrition level to the extent that the animal’s health or life is endangered. B. Access to a supply of potable water in an amount reasonably sufficient to satisfy the animal’s basic hydration level to the extent that the animal’s health or life is endangered. Access to snow or ice does not satisfy this r… …
§ 55.03 Livestock Neglect→ § 55.03 Livestock Neglect · Wording changed minor wording (98% same words) · compare the texts
§ 55.04 Abandonment Of Cats And Dogs→ § 55.04 Abandonment Of Cats And Dogs · Wording changed largely rewritten (36% same words) · compare the texts
- New requirement: …not abandon the cat or dog, except the
person may deliverTNR protocol shall not constitute abandonment. This section does not apply to any of the cat or dog to another person who…
§ 55.05 Livestock→ § 55.05 Livestock · Wording changed wording changed (94% same words) · compare the texts
§ 55.06 At Large Prohibited→ § 55.06 At Large Prohibited · Unchanged · compare the texts
§ 55.07 Damage Or Interference→ § 55.07 Damage Or Interference · Unchanged · compare the texts
§ 55.08 Annoyance Or Disturbance→ § 55.08 Annoyance Or Disturbance · Wording changed largely rewritten (67% same words) · compare the texts
- Text removed: …or chasing persons, bicycles, automobiles or other vehicles.
An owner shall not allow or permit any animal to make any noise that annoys, disturbs, offends, or unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property of the general public.…
§ 55.09 Dogs And Cats Limit→ § 55.09 Dogs And Cats Limits · Wording changed minor wording (99% same words) · compare the texts
§ 55.10 Accumulation Of Wastes→ § 55.10 Accumulation Of Wastes · Unchanged · compare the texts
§ 55.11 Owner’s Duty→ § 55.11 Owner’s Duty · Wording changed minor wording (99% same words) · compare the texts
§ 55.12 Confinement→ § 55.12 Confinement · Wording changed citations or formatting only · compare the texts
§ 55.13 At Large: Impoundment→ § 55.13 At Large: Impoundment · Wording changed wording changed (91% same words) · compare the texts
§ 55.14 Disposition Of Animals→ § 55.14 Disposition Of Animals · Wording changed citations or formatting only · compare the texts
§ 55.15 Pet Awards Prohibited→ § 55.15 Pet Awards Prohibited · Wording changed minor wording (99% same words) · compare the texts
§ 55.16 Penalty Provision→ § 55.16 Penalty Provision · Unchanged · compare the texts
‹ 52 Weeds and Noxious Growths · 56 Dog and Cat Licenses Required › · This chapter as JSON
Data last updated October 23, 2026. Built from the archive's documents; see how the data is built.