Frequently Asked Questions
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No, you only have to sign again for homestead if you move from the current home that has homestead into another home.
Your DD214 - discharge papers need to be recorded in our Recorder's Office, then sign the military exemption form in the Assessor's Office.
According to State Law, foreclosures are not considered to be "good" sales and are not used to determine the assessed value. They are considered to be a "forced" sale, in which the bank was forced to sell the home. If the foreclosed property was not left in normal condition, you may consider notifying the Assessor's Office so that an appraiser may walk through the home to determine the value.
Several factors can change the value of your assessment. Home improvements, such as building a garage, building a deck, kitchen or bathroom remodeling, finishing the basement, etc., may change the assessed value of the home. Supply and demand may also change the value.
Market value of a property is an estimate of the price that it would sell for on the open market on January 1 of the year of assessment. This is sometimes referred to as the “arms-length transaction” or “willing buyer/willing seller” concept.
Market value is defined as the most probable price which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus. Implicit in this definition is the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby:
- Buyer and seller are typically motivated;
- Both parties are well informed or well advised and both acting in what they consider their own best interest;
- A reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market;
- Payment is made in terms of cash in U.S. dollars or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and
- The price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.
The Assessor generally uses three approaches, Market Approach, Cost Approach, and Income Approach.
Market Approach
Market approach is to find properties that are comparable to yours that have sold recently. Local conditions peculiar to your property are taken into consideration. The assessor also uses sales ratio studies to determine the general level of assessment in a community, in order to adjust for local conditions.
Cost Approach
Cost approach is an estimate of how many dollars at current labor and material prices it would take to replace your property with one similar to it. In the event improvement is not new appropriate amounts for depreciation and obsolescence would be deducted from replacement value. Value of the land then would be added to arrive at the total estimate of value.
Income Approach
Income approach is used if your property produces income such as an apartment or office building. In that case, your property could be valued according to its ability to produce income under prudent management; in other words, what another investor would give for a property in order to gain its income. The income approach is the most complex of the three approaches because of the research, information, and analysis necessary for an accurate estimate of value. This method requires thorough knowledge of local and national financial conditions, as well as any developmental trends in the area of the subject property being appraised since errors or inaccurate information can seriously affect the final estimate of value.
The State of Iowa requires that all real property be reassessed every two years on the odd-numbered year. At that time, studies of current market value, sales ratios, and economic trends of the local market will determine whether your assessment should change. If your property has any other change it may be reassessed more often. For example, if you build a new garage, it will be assessed for the following year whether it is an odd number year or not.
No, the Assessor raises or lowers the values of property according to the market value of real estate or in the case of agricultural land, according to productivity and CSR.
Assessments are set on January 1st of each year, while the tax levies (tax rates) on these assessments are not set until July of the following year. (For example, the assessment notices from April 2011 were for the January 1, 2011 assessment. Tax levies for these values will be set in June of 2012 based on what the different taxing authorities budget in March and April 2012 for the next fiscal year of July 2012 - June 2013.)
The taxing authorities you pay property taxes to are listed at the bottom of your tax statement each year, along with their budget information and a breakdown of how much you are paying to each taxing body.
Iowa law provides for a number of exemptions and credits, including Homestead Credit and Military Exemption. It is the property owner’s responsibility to apply for these as provided by law. If the property you were occupying as a homestead is sold, or if you cease to use the property as a homestead you are required to report this to the assessor in whose jurisdiction the property is located.
Filing is required on the following, if provisions have been made for exemptions as required:
Annually:
- Native Prairies -Wetlands
- Open Prairies
- River and Stream Banks
- Impoundment Structures
- Forest Cover
- Wildlife Habitat
Permanent:
- Disabled Veterans Homestead Credit
- Family Farm Credit
- Forest Reservations
- Pollution Control
- Fruit Tree Reservations – 8 years
Other:
- Industrial Partial 427B
- Urban Revitalization
Visit our Credits & Exemptions page for more information.
There are a number of different taxing districts in a jurisdiction, each with a different levy. Each year the County Auditor determines for that district a levy that will yield enough money to pay for schools, police and fire protection, road maintenance and other services budgeted for in that area. The tax levy is applied to each $1,000 of a properties taxable value. The value determined by the assessor is the assessed value and is the value indicated on the assessment roll. The taxable value is the value determined by the auditor after application of state ordered “rollback” percentages for the various classes of property.
Visit our Dates to Remember page for important deadlines and dates to note.
State law requires that all real property be reassessed every two years. The current law requires the reassessment to occur in odd numbered years. Changes in market value as indicated by research, sales ratio studies and analysis of local conditions as well as economic trends both in and outside the construction industry are used in determining your assessment.
If you disagree with the assessor’s estimate of value, please consider these two questions before proceeding, as outlined below:
- What is the actual market value of my property?
- How does the value compare to the similar properties in the neighborhood?
If you have any questions about the assessment of your property, feel free to come in and discuss it with the assessor.
You may file a written protest with the Board of Review, which is composed of three or five members from various areas of the assessing jurisdiction. The Board operates independently of the assessor’s office, and has the power to confirm or to adjust either upward or downward any assessment.
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Board of Review you may appeal to the property assessment appeal board or to the district court within twenty days after adjournment of said Board, or twenty days after May 31st whichever is latest.
If there is any change to the assessed value of your property, you will receive an assessment notice on or before April 2nd of the year of the change. The taxes on the new assessment will not be reflected until September of the following year.
Before protesting your value, ask yourself these two questions:
- What is the actual market value of my property?
- How does the value of my property compare to similar properties?
After asking these questions, if you still do not agree, you are able to protest the value. You have two options. First, there is an informal period from April 2 – April 25th where you can contact the Assessor’s office and ask for an informal review. The office may request an inspection of the property based on the request. The Assessor’s office is not required to do an informal review, each request is looked at individually. The second option is to file a protest to the Jasper County Board of Review.
During protest times, are available in the Assessor’s Office or can be found here. To access the protest form online, please select your property, and then scroll to the link for the protest. Again, protests may only be filed April 2 – April 30th with the Assessor’s office so links to the forms will not be active for the rest of the year. The Board of Review will then review your assessment and determine whether the assessed value is fair. If, after review, you still do not agree with the assessed value, you may choose to appeal the case by filing in district court or with the Property Assessment Appeal Board.
Agricultural land and buildings are not assessed on market value. Corn Suitability Ratings (CSRs) are used to set agricultural land value along with productivity, which includes grain prices, yields, and land owners' estimated expenses. This is done county-wide on a five-year average based on data from USDA and Iowa State University. For example, the years used for the 2023 assessment are 2017-2021. Based on this information, the Iowa Department of Revenue informs the counties what percentage adjustments are needed for agricultural land and buildings.
- Assessed value and taxable value are not synonymous terms.
- Property is assessed as of January 1st.
- Property is reassessed every two years.
- Taxes are levied on a value determined by the auditor by applying a “roll back” percentage to the assessed value and deducting any applicable exemptions or credits. The “roll back” percentages vary each year.
- On values determined as of January 1st, one does not start to pay taxes until eighteen months later. The “roll back” is the percentage of actual value that is determined by the Director of Revenue and Finance each year on the several classes of property where the total value increase statewide, exceeds three percent for each class of property.
The percentages so determined by the Director of Revenue and Finance are certified to and applied by the local county auditor to all property in each class effected throughout the State. Percentages determined by the Director of Revenues and Finance are the same for all the assessing jurisdictions in the State.
Increases in assessed value of individual parcels of property as determined by the assessor, may exceed four percent within a jurisdiction. Agricultural property, except agricultural dwellings, are assessed on the basis of productivity and net earning capacity using a five year crop average and capitalized at the rate set by the Legislature. The rate is currently seven percent. Tentative and final equalization orders are issued by the Director of Revenue and Finance in odd numbered years on or about August 15, and October 1 respectively. The orders are sent to the various county auditors who apply them to the classes of property affected, if any.
Assessors and members of the Board of Review are appointed to their terms of office. Assessors, in addition to completing the required 150 hours of Continuing Education, must be approved by a majority vote of the Conference Board in order to be reappointed.
If you desire further information, questions concerning property values or other information relating thereto should be addressed to the assessor’s office in the respective jurisdiction and not the Board of Supervisors or Treasurer. The assessors of Iowa hope that the information contained herein will be of value to the property owner and has clarified some of these problems and issues relating to assessment and the applicable laws.
This information was prepared by the Public Relations Committee of the Iowa State Association of Assessors
Auditor
Absentee
No. In Iowa you can only request an absentee ballot for yourself.
Yes. You may request an absentee ballot via email or fax and a ballot will be mailed to you. However, in order for your ballot to be counted you must also mail in or drop off the original paper ballot request.
No. Under Iowa law, power of attorney does not apply for all election related matters.
The only people who may return a ballot for a voter are:
- someone living in the voter’s household
- an immediate family member
- a special precinct election official delivering a ballot for health care residents
- a delivery agent, in the case of a voter unable to return a ballot due to blindness or other disability
Yes! Your absentee ballot cannot be counted unless you have signed the affidavit envelope that you return your ballot in. If we receive a ballot back that has not been signed we will attempt to contact you to get this fixed. Once contacted, you may decide to either:
- Request a replacement ballot and return it by 8:00 p.m. on election day
- Vote at the polls on election day
- Sign the affidavit in person at the county auditor’s office by 8:00 p.m. on election day
Yes. There is a myth that absentee ballots only get counted if the election is close, however, this is not true. Under Iowa law, every ballot must be counted.
You are allowed to hand deliver your ballot to the Auditor’s office up until the time the polls close on Election Day. If you return your ballot through the mail, your ballot must arrive by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, with exceptions for individuals in the Safe at Home program and military/overseas citizens. Learn more on our Absentee Voting page.
Election Day
Yes. If you need assistance filling out your ballot ask a poll worker for help. A team of one republican and one democrat will come over and help you mark your ballot. Also available in each polling location is a ballot marking device that will read you all of the choices and then print out your marked ballot.
Yes. Iowa law allows for Election Day registration if you are able to provide proof of identification (i.e. valid photo ID) and proof of residency (i.e. utility bill with your name on it if your ID has an outdated address on it). If you are unable to provide one or both of these you are allowed to bring someone with you to attest that you have the right to vote.
Yes. If you have not returned your absentee ballot you may go to your polling place on Election Day and vote a regular ballot.
Beginning January 1, 2019, Iowa voters will be required to show a driver’s license, non-driver’s ID, passport, military ID, veterans ID, Tribal ID or Voter ID Card at the polls before they vote. Voters, starting in 2019, without an ID may cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to their identity.
Yes. While it is recommended that you update your information prior to Election Day to speed things up at the polls, you may wait and do so on Election Day. If you are updating your address just make sure you are going to the polling place for your new address. When updating your address you will now need to provide proof of identity and proof of residency.
Yes. If you are unable to go inside the polling place a team of election workers will be sent out to your car to help you vote.
Yes. When you go to vote, a poll worker will verify with the auditor’s office that your absentee ballot has not been returned. If it is confirmed that the auditor’s office has not received a ballot from you then you will be given a new ballot to vote there.
Starting in January of 2019 you will be required to show identification. If you need to register to vote on Election Day, you must bring proof of identification and proof of residency.
Starting in 2019, if you do not have your ID with you, you may either cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to your identity. Learn more about provisional ballots and attesting on our Voter ID page.
So long as you are in line to vote at the time the polls close you will be allowed to vote.
If a voter’s eligibility is in question on Election Day they are allowed to cast a provisional ballot. After the voter marks their ballot and returns it to the poll worker, the voter is required to provide the necessary identification or documentation at the polling place before it closes or provide it at the Auditor’s Office by noon on the following Monday. If the canvass will be held earlier than the following Monday, the identification must be provided before the canvass.
If it is determined that you do have the right to vote in the precinct in which you voted, your ballot will then be counted and included in the final vote total.
General Information
Yes. If you make a mistake on an absentee ballot mark your return envelope “Spoiled” and return it to the Auditor’s office either by mail or in person. If you return it by mail contact the Auditor’s office to be sent a new one.
On Election Day if you make a mistake on your ballot, return it to the poll worker to receive a new one. You are allowed up to three ballots so don’t make too many mistakes!
Yes. For each race on the ballot, a line is provided for you to write-in the name of someone for whom you wish to vote for. Make sure you color in the oval!
Yes and No. In Iowa, you must be a member of a political party (currently: Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian) to vote in a primary election. However, anyone* can change parties on Election Day and vote. For independents to vote they must declare a political party.
*Precinct election officials may not change political parties within 30 days of an election.
No. You can vote for as much or as little as you would like; it’s all up to you!
No. If you have already returned your absentee ballot to the Auditor’s office you may not request a new ballot if you have changed your mind on who you wish to vote for.
It depends on the election. In primary elections, you can only vote for candidates from the party to which you belong. In general elections, you are free to vote for anyone you like, regardless of their party affiliation.
Registered voters who do not have an Iowa driver’s license or non-operator’s ID were issued a voter ID card. Voter ID cards must be signed before going to the polls. The new voter ID card will contain a PIN number that will be used for voting purposes. If you should have a voter ID card and do not, please contact our office to have one sent to you.
Starting in 2019, voters must provide an ID when going to vote. Voters who do not have ID will be allowed to either cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to their identification. Learn more about provisional ballots and attesting on our Voter ID page.
There are 6 approved types of identification that may be used:
- an Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID
- a Voter ID issued by the Secretary of State or the Auditor’s Office
- a current US Passport
- a US Military ID
- a US Veteran’s ID
- a Tribal ID
Where you vote is determined by where you live and you must vote in the precinct to which you are assigned for your ballot to be counted. To find your polling place please visit the Polling Places page on our website.
Registration
No. All updates to voter registration must be made in writing or online through the Iowa DOT if you have an Iowa driver’s license.
Yes. Any eligible voter in Iowa may register to vote. Because many of those who are homeless have a nontraditional address they just need to provide an address or description of where they sleep the most, wherever that may be.
Those with a prior felony conviction are only permitted to vote if their voting rights have been restored by the Governor, including through Executive Order. For more information about restoration of rights, contact the Governor’s office or visit the voter registration page on our website.
No. You would only need to re-register if your information has changed and you need to update it.
If you have moved recently and need to update your address for voting, all you have to do is fill out a new voter registration form and submit it to the Auditor’s office. If you do not update your address after a move through a new voter registration form and do not vote in the next general election, you will be marked inactive (inactive voters may still vote with proper ID). Registration will be canceled if two more general elections pass with no voter activity.
If you notice a mistake on your voter card please contact the Auditor’s Office and/or submit a new registration form to correct your information.
Iowa does not recognize an “independent” party. Instead, “No Party” is used to indicate a lack of affiliation with a political party.
Conservation
We do not currently accept reservations for camping at Spruce Creek Park and South Sabula Lake Park campgrounds. All campsites are first-come, first-served.
Our Environmental Education Staff are available for programs and to lead field trips for schools, youth groups, adult groups, civic organizations, and other organized groups. Our staff can travel anywhere within Jackson County for a program. If you have a group that would like to have a program, contact our Environmental Education Coordinator Jessica Wagner at jwagner@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov.
Yes, our policy states that all pets must be leashed at county parks.
Many of our parks and projects are made possible by contributions from the community. For more information on how to donate, visit Friends of Jackson County Conservation website.
Boat slips at Spruce Creek Park are rented on an annual basis. To get on a waiting list, call our office at 563-652-3783. When dock spaces open, we do a drawing for those on the waiting list. Drawing takes place at the March Board Meeting.
All full-time positions with the county are posted on the Employment page. The Conservation Department hires seasonal employees for the summer months to help with maintenance at our parks. Jobs are posted in January and are open until filled. Check our Employment page on MyCountyParks.com for seasonal listings.
You can register for a program or event by calling Jackson County Conservation at 563-652-3783 or emailing conservation@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov. Programs require at least 48 hours in advance for registration. Some events may have a fee; those are required at the time of registration.
You can find a reservation form online here. You can also stop out at the Hurstville Interpretive Center during business hours to fill out the reservation form and make your payment (cash or check only).
If you find an animal baby that appears to be on its own, don’t worry. Generally, one of its parents is nearby, watching. They’re teaching their offspring to be independent, and in the case of danger, some animal parents will take off to create a distraction away from their young.
Many people “rescue” wildlife babies they believe to be abandoned. But when you take that “orphaned” rabbit out of the nest or that raccoon out of the tree, you’re taking that baby away from its parents, its natural setting, and a chance to live in the wild. Many times, taking an animal out of the wild greatly reduces its chances of survival.
In most cases, these wildlife babies perish soon after capture. If an animal does survive the initial trauma of being captured and confined, it often succumbs more slowly to pneumonia, other diseases, or malnutrition.
However, if you know for a fact that the baby’s parent has died, or if it’s clear the animal is injured, a wildlife rehabilitator can help. Rehabilitators receive extensive training, including an apprenticeship, to learn how to care for animals and reintroduce them to the wild. They know when to feed them, how to feed them, how to treat injuries, and they have the space and equipment to house the animals.
Do not try to take the animal in yourself – not only could it present a safety risk to both you and the animal — it’s also illegal, as wild mammals are protected by state law and wild birds are protected by state and federal law.
If there is not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you, contact your local conservation officer (contact information for all counties in Iowa) or animal control officer. If you have any further questions, call us at 563-652-3783.
View a list of all of our rules and regulations.
Camping at Spruce Creek Park and South Sabula Lake Park is $25/night. Transient docks at Spruce Creek Park are $25/night. Firewood is $5/bundle. Cash or check only. No credit cards are accepted at our campgrounds.
If it is an emergency, call 911. For an issue that is a non-emergency, call Jackson County Conservation during regular business hours at 563-652-3783 or call Jackson County Dispatch at 563-652-2468.
Spruce Creek Park and South Sabula Lake Park are located along the Mississippi River. Opening and closing dates for the campgrounds vary year to year and depend on weather and river levels. The parks open sometime in late April or early May and close in late October. Specific dates are set a month or so beforehand. Check the park pages on MyCountyParks.com for up to date information.
County Attorney
The County Attorney's Office encourages participation from victims, but the County Attorney's Office represents the State of Iowa, not the victim. At the beginning of the case, our office will mail you paperwork in which we ask you to register with our office. If you choose not to fill out the registration form and return it, you may not get the notifications.
At any time, whether you choose to register or not, you may contact the County Attorney's Office to speak with the attorney or the office Victim/Witness Coordinator to get information about your case.
Once a criminal complaint is filed, the State of Iowa is the prosecutor and has sole discretion on how to proceed. Therefore, just because you may want to drop the charges, it does not automatically happen. You will need to contact the County Attorney's Office to schedule an appointment with the attorney that is assigned to the criminal case to discuss potential outcomes of the case.
You will need to speak with the Clerk's Office, call 563-652-4946, about any questions or concerns you have about jury duty.
The County Attorney's Office does not handle custody cases or child support recovery. However, if you have issues with child support, you can visit the child support recovery website.
You should contact your attorney or the Clerk's Office at 563-652-4946.
If you have a pending criminal case that qualifies for a court-appointed attorney, you will have to fill out a financial affidavit and it will have to be approved by a judge. To do this, please visit the Clerk's Office in the Courthouse.
A subpoena is a court order requiring a person or business to either appear at a specific time and place or to provide certain documentation. Because it is a court order it is important to comply with the subpoena.
If you received a subpoena for a criminal case and have questions, you may contact the County Attorney's Office.
If there's a domestic relationship, please visit the Clerk's Office at the Courthouse.
If criminal charges have been filed, please contact the County Attorney's Office.
If it is a domestic protective order, you will need to go to the Clerk's Office at the Courthouse. If it is a no contact order in a criminal case, you will need to write a letter outlining your request to deliver it to the Clerk of Court's Office.
Contact the police department or sheriff's department to file a report.
The Clerk's Office at the Jackson County Courthouse or Iowa Courts Online.
Engineer's Office & Secondary Roads
Dust Control
Residents are instructed to contact one of the four approved dust control vendors directly. Questions regarding dust control and the material used should be directed to the vendor. Jackson County will not guarantee the effectiveness of the dust control and any complaints regarding the quality of the product should be addressed to the vendor that has been selected.
2024 Dust Control Policy and Application
Approved Vendors
- Binns & Stevens | Oskaloosa
- Calcium Chloride
- 800-451-1744
- Farrell's, Inc. | Preston
- Calcium Chloride
- 877-657-4277
- Three Rivers FS | Manchester
- Lignin Sulfonate, Mag. Chloride
- 563-876-3394
Generally, we try to leave dust control areas alone between the first application and October 1. However, there are times that we deem it necessary to maintain the road through your dust control in order to keep a smooth and safe road surface. This is especially true when there is heavy rain and we are experiencing washouts.
General Information
Visit the Iowa County Engineer Service Bureau website for information about road closures and construction projects.
Road Closures & Projects Road Notifications
Statewide information can be found at Iowa DOT's 511 website.
Begin by creating an account with GeoPermits. Then proceed with the application process via GeoPermits. No hard copy permits will be accepted, all permits must utilize the online permitting system. Work shall not start on an entrance or modification of an entrance until a permit has been reviewed and approved.
No, the county does not provide the culverts, but here is a list of culvert suppliers:
Galvanized
- Illowa Culvert & Supply Co. — Low Moor, IA — 563-522-2232
- Contech — Ankeny, IA — 515-964-0497
Double Wall Polyvinyl
- Hickenbottom, Inc — Grinnell, IA — 641-236-3320
- Theisen’s — Newton, IA — 641-792-8686
- Theisen’s — Grinnell, IA — 641-236-4036
Galvanized & Double Wall Polyvinyl
- Menards — Altoona, IA — 515-967-9611
- Menards — Marshalltown, IA — 641-753-6509
The County mows in order to maintain sight distance, vegetation, shaded roadways, undergrowth, removal of snow traps, and clear zones. The County will not mow on any personal property; only the right-of-way.
The Secondary Road Department possesses an easement in order to maintain the road for public usage. The amount of right-of-way varies from road to road. If you need to know a specific ROW for a road, please call the office at 641-792-5862. Landowners may not place or cause to be placed, an obstruction within any county right-of-way per Iowa Code Chapter 318 Sections 4 & 5.
Snow Removal
In the implantation of snow and ice removal and other maintenance of Jackson County's secondary road system during the winter months, the County Engineer shall select the actual sequence of roads to be cleared, as provided for in this Section of this Policy, and shall determine when driving snow, wind velocity, and additional snow or snowstorms require that the snow removal equipment be removed from the roadway, or that additional clearance of paved routes be accomplished prior to the clearance of granular surfaced roads. The County Engineer's or their designee's professional judgment shall prevail unless it is clearly erroneous. (Jackson County Snow Ordinance, Section 3)
No, salt and sand are only applied to hard-surfaced roads due to the damage they can cause to rock roads. Gravel roads that become slick are maintained with a motor grader to provide better traction.
Snow removal deemed necessary to take place outside of normal working hours will be done no earlier than 4:30 a.m. and no later than 5:30 p.m. However, Jackson County will respond to all “Emergency” situations deemed such by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and/or a physician.
Jackson County services Paved roads in its primary efforts and Unpaved (Gravel) roads secondarily. Both parts of the roadway system are done in the most efficient and effective way possible. This may mean that each snow removal event may start and stop in the same location as the previous snow events.
Restoring access on gravel roads is a slow process because motor graders are not built for speed, and a typical route covers approximately 60 center lane miles, or approximately 120 lane miles. After a severe storm, it may not be possible to cover the entire area until the second or third day. Homeowners are encouraged to plan accordingly for the winter season.
No. Property owners are responsible for maintaining access to mailboxes.
Your mailbox and post should be able to withstand potential discharge from snowplows. Please take time in the fall of the year to evaluate your mailbox’s integrity. Mailboxes must meet the standards of the United States Postal Service. Inferior posts and mounts will not be repaired. Mailboxes that have been physically touched by County machinery or maliciously damaged mailboxes will be repaired by County personnel in a timely manner.
Environmental Health
General Information
If your animal is approved for home observation and confinement, you will need to keep your animal at home and away from other animals and people for a ten (10) day period. The first day of observation begins on the same day that the bite occurred. On day ten (10) your animal shall only be released from observation and confinement by your veterinarian or the Jackson County Health Department.
If decide that you want to have your dog or cat euthanized before the end of the ten (10) day observation and confinement period is over, you must contact the Jackson County Health Department for approval. It is preferred that animals go through the quarantine and confinement period before being euthanized unless the animal is showing signs of rabies. If an animal is euthanized, it must be done so by a Licensed Veterinarian, and a specimen from the animal must be properly collected and shipped to the State Hygienic Lab for rabies testing. Fees for euthanasia and specimen collection may vary, but testing for rabies is free through the State Hygienic Lab.
Thoroughly wash any wounds with soap and water, and if available, flush with povidone-iodine solution (or other virucidal solution). Seek medical attention and contact your local law enforcement. Confine the animal if possible (but only if you can safely do so) until further instructions from the health Department or law enforcement are given. All bites must be reported to the Jackson County Health Department by calling 563-652-1729.
If your dog or cat has bitten you or someone else, confine the animal, and report the bite to your local law enforcement, and contact the Jackson County Health Department by calling 563-652-1729. The animal may be confined for ten (10) days at a veterinarian clinic or the animal may be observed with home confinement if it meets very specific criteria, and is approved by the Jackson County Health Department.
If your dog or cat is vicious and dangerous, and at-home observation is not a safe choice, contact the Jackson County Health Department by calling 563-652-1729 to discuss facility-based observation and confinement options.
Human Resources
All Jackson County jobs require the completion of an online Jackson County Employment Application. Applications can be completed on any computer or telephone with Internet access or at a computer kiosk in the Human Resources Department in the Courthouse.
If you wish to submit a cover letter and resume in addition to the application, you may do so. You will not be contacted if you submit a cover letter and/or resume only.
The selection process takes a minimum of two to three weeks from the final position closing date. Some hiring supervisors may take several weeks to select applicants for interviews.
Those selected for interviews will be contacted by Human Resources or the hiring supervisor.
Applications are job-specific and accepted for a minimum of a 10 calendar-day period when a job becomes available. If a position becomes available later that you are interested in, you will be required to resubmit your online application for that position.
All Jackson County jobs require the completion of an online Jackson County Employment Application. If you wish to submit a cover letter and resume in addition to the application, you may do so. You will not be contacted if you submit a cover letter and/or resume only.
Want to be the first to know of a job opportunity with Jackson County? Sign up for notifications!
Recorder
No. Abstracts are not filed in our office.
No. The Jackson County Clerk of Court can help you with divorce records. You may contact them at 563-652-4946.
Individuals would need to contact an attorney to have the appropriate paperwork drawn up. Then that paperwork would be filed in the Recorder’s office.
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Passport appointment times are from 8:30 am to 3:45 pm You must call for a passport appointment at (563) 652-2504.
Real estate recordings presented after 4:00 pm will be recorded the next business day.
Cash, Checks, Credit Cards (additional 3% transaction fee) and Money Orders.
New Passport Applications require a check or money order that will be sent in with the application.
Jackson County Courthouse
201 W. Platt St.
Maquoketa, IA 52060
Birth records of persons born in foreign countries who are citizens at birth may write to:
Passport Services Correspondence Branch
US Department of State
1111 19th St. N.W. Suite 510
Washington DC 20522-1705
Veterans and individuals with entitlement. For more information, please contact our office at 563-652-2504.
To obtain a copy of your birth certificate, you can make an appointment to come in person or apply by mail. We should have your record if you were born in Jackson County, your parents were married at the time of your birth and you were not adopted. We also have single-parent births after July of 1995 through the present day. We may not have your birth certificate if you were born in the years 1921 through 1941, but we can forward your request to the state.
If you apply in person, you will need to fill out an application, bring your photo I.D., and $15.00 cash/check.
If you apply by mail, complete and sign* the Vital Record Application. Please enclose the $15.00 fee in the form of cash or money order. The applicant must sign in front of a Notary Public and include a clear photocopy of the applicant's current government-issued photo identification.
The Iowa Department of Public Health has birth certificates for all Iowa births.
Birth in Iowa
- If born in 1985 or later, you can go to any county recorder’s office to apply and receive.
- If born in 1984 or earlier, you can contact the Recorder’s office in the county in which your birth occurred.
Birth outside of Iowa
- Contact the vital records department in the state of your birth or go to the CDC website.
If you have any questions, please call the Jackson County Recorder’s office at 563-652-2504.
A certified copy has what most refer to as a “raised seal” and states that the copy is a true and correct reproduction of the original record from the state or county. An uncertified copy or a “plain” copy has no seal or verbiage indicating authenticity. An uncertified copy also has a stamp noting “not for legal purposes.”
Yes, the license is valid in any county in the state of Iowa. It is not valid outside of Iowa.
Yes. A marriage provides the opportunity to legally change your name. Because of this, it is important to complete the application correctly and in full. Do not use initials or nicknames unless you wish them to become your legal name.
No.
None. A marriage can take place at any time once a divorce is final. However, you may not apply for the marriage license until the divorce is final.
A leader of a religious institution or an Associate District or District Judge. The fees and availability for each Judge may vary.
Passport processing times can vary depending on workload and occasional unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters.
For more information on passports and/or processing times please go to Travel.State.gov or call the Jackson County Recorder's Office at 563-652-2504.
The Recorder’s Office processes transactions for the Department of Natural Resources. This includes boat, snowmobile, ATV & ORV titles/registrations. Also included are hunting and fishing licenses and deer and turkey tags.
For more information, go to IowaDNR.gov.
Treasurer
Driver's License
We do driving tests on Wednesdays by appointment only. We do not do CDL or motorcycle drive tests.
For a CDL driving test, Visit the Iowa DOT website to schedule an appointment.
They must have taken driver's education and held their permit for 6 months with no accidents or citations. They will need to fill out a Minor School Affidavit and have it signed by their principal. Most schools have these at their disposal.
An ID costs $8 and is good for 8 years. The same documents are needed to get an ID as getting a driver's license.
- An operator’s license is $4 per year.
- A CDL is $8 per year.
Yes, the paper license expires in 30 days. Your real plastic license should arrive in the mail within that time frame. If it has not arrived in 30 days, please call the number on the back of the paper copy to see if it has been returned to them, if they can track it for you, or if they can give us permission to reissue.
Call our office at 563-652-2617 to make an appointment to replace your license.
You will need to bring in a parent and your current permit. You must have taken driver's ed, held a permit for one year, and have a clean driving record for the past six months.
You will need to bring in a parent to sign if you are under 18. You must have held the intermediate license for a year with a clean record. After you turn 18, those requirements are no longer needed.
Yes, as long as they are the parents. No other address can be put on the form. No address out of the school district is allowed. Put the second address under “Additional address that student intends to drive from" on the Minor School Affidavit.
They will need their birth certificate, social security card, and a parent with them. If the parent cannot be present, they will need to bring in a signed parent affidavit form.
Phone: 515-244-8725
Fax : 515-239-1837
You can renew in our office 30 days before and 60 days after your expiration date. If you are over a year expired you will have to retest.
Motor Vehicles
Download Form 411033 from the Iowa DOT website.
There is a 5-day waiting period if the original title is lost. (If the original has been altered or spoiled in some way, please submit the original title to us with Form 411033 and we will process a replacement title in the same day.)
Anybody whose name is on the face of the title MUST sign the replacement application.
The replacement title must be ordered where the title was made (county specific). The fee is $25.00.
Yes. The new owner does not need to be present at the time of transfer. However, the new owner will have to have the appropriate forms completed beforehand. If you are transferring a title on behalf of another person, you may download Form 411007 from the Iowa DOT website. They must complete and sign this form.
Depending on what you need to do. If you are only needing to renew your registration(s), turn in plates for refunds, swap out for vanity plates, or do a title transfer you do NOT need an appointment.
Driver’s License is the only department within the Treasurer’s office that strongly recommends appointments.
For vehicle registrations, you can do that:
- on the Iowa Treasurer's website
- at the counter or
- by mail
You must complete the inspection form on the DOT website and then contact the sheriff’s office to schedule an inspection with them.
Most personalized license plates can be ordered online on the Iowa DOT website.
Your PIN is specific to you and should not change so you can use it from year to year. The PIN is located on your renewal notice in the top right-hand corner. If you cannot find it, you can contact our office at 563-652-2617.
Visit the Iowa DOT website for more information.
Property Tax
- Through the mail. Postmark must be by September 30 for the first half payment and March 31 for the second half payment to avoid penalty.
- In our office at the Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Online through the Iowa Treasurer's website. You must have the 5-digit receipt number located on your tax statement available.
The tax sale is the sale of any unpaid property taxes within the county as of the first part of June. The tax sale is held electronically on the third Monday in June.
1.5% penalty is assessed per month after the due date.
Because we run on a fiscal year and not a calendar year:
- First half taxes are September 1st, delinquent October 1
- Second half taxes are due March 1st, delinquent April 1
Taxes are billed every fall and statements typically go out in the mail in mid-late August.
Almost all credits are applied for through the Assessor's Office.*
*The one we handle is the elderly/disabled credit which is a paper that has to be completed each year. It is due by June 1st and you’re qualified based on yearly household income.
Veterans Affairs
Yes, please call us at 563-652-0070 for an appointment.
No, please contact the hospital or CBOC you are wishing to attend.
No, we are not a medical provider.
Please call us at 563-652-0070 for more information.
You can apply at the Jackson County Assessor's Office and your DD-214 must be recorded at the Jackson County Recorder's Office.
You can either go to the National Archives website and place a request by clicking “Veterans Service Records” or you can call us at 563-652-0070 to make an appointment.
Please call us at 563-652-0070 to make an appointment.
No, please contact the billing office at the hospital or CBOC you attended.
Yes, please call us at 563-652-0070 to make an appointment.
Disability compensation is a monetary benefit paid to Veterans who are determined by the VA to be disabled by an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are considered to be service-connected. To be eligible for compensation, the Veteran must have been separated or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Please call us at 563-652-0070 to make an appointment.
Provide a copy of your DD-214 for your active-duty service NOT training and visit our address so that we may assist.
Veterans are eligible by meeting income guidelines or Active-Duty Service or a Service-Connected Disability. You must complete the application process with Eligibility. Please call us at 563-652-0070 to make an appointment.
Zoning
A zoning permit is required for MOST structures built in Jackson County. Setbacks differ depending on the zoning district. Setbacks are required to ensure overall safety and welfare for Jackson County residents.
A completed application form with the required fee must be returned to the Jackson County Zoning Department before a permit is issued.
There is no charge for agriculture buildings on property deemed AG-exempt. However, we ask that you request an AG-exempt questionnaire. Once deemed AG exempt, a letter will be issued stating the AG exempt requirements have been met.
Yes, a site plan of the property should be drawn to scale and show the boundaries of the lot, the location of all existing features, the location of the proposed building, and its distance from property lines. The plan should also show the location of any wells, septic systems, and drain field, and the location of any existing or proposed on-site septic system. Information about well and septic permits is available from the Jackson County Health Department.
An application is made through the County Engineers office for a 911 address. A zoning permit generates the 911 address.
E911 addresses are not assigned to bare ground.
A septic permit and inspection will be done by the Jackson County Environmental Health Department. Zoning permits are issued by the Jackson County Zoning Department. Jackson County does not do building inspections. At the time a zoning permit is submitted the zoning staff will review the setback and zoning regulations required by Jackson County. The State of Iowa requires electrical permits and will do electrical inspections.
Yes, Jackson County has been a zoned county since 1976. Before you change the use of your building or land it is advised to contact the zoning office to make sure it conforms to the Jackson County Zoning Ordinance.
Classification for zoning purposes and classification for tax purposes are two separate classifications. These two classification systems have different definitions, operate under different rules, and are administered by different offices. If you have questions on zoning classification, please contact the Zoning Department.
Contact the Jackson County Zoning Department to see what will be required in your area. Jackson County does have a subdivision ordinance. Each land division request is reviewed on an individual basis. All land divisions must be approved by Jackson County. Depending on the location of the property, city land division regulations may apply.
The Jackson County Zoning Ordinance allows for more than one (1) principal structure housing in any zoning district. A permitted principal structure use may be erected on a single lot provided that the area, yard, and other requirements of this ordinance shall be met for each structure as though it were on an individual lot.
Please visit our Zoning Permits page to view the requirements. Minimum lot sizes and setback requirements vary for the different Zoning Districts.
