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1. When do I need a building permit?

A permit is required for any construction that physically changes or adds structure to your property or for work regulated by city codes or ordinances. Permit applications are available on the Permit Applications and Inspections page.

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1. When is City Hall open?

City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 am until 4:30 pm.

2. Where is City Hall located?

City Hall is located at:
101 NE Harvey Street
Grimes, IA 50111

It is at the corner of 1st Street (Highway 44) and Harvey Street.

3. When does the City Council meet?

The Grimes City Council meets at 5:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

Meetings are held at the Grimes Community Complex:
410 SE Main Street
Grimes, IA 50111

Meetings are also available electronically via Zoom. Always check the meeting agenda to verify the location.

4. How do I start water service?

To start water service, go to our Utility Sign-Up Page. Please call City Hall with questions at 515-986-3036.

5. How do I start garbage service?

Garbage service for single-family homes is included in the monthly water bill. To begin service, please contact Grimes City Hall at 515-986-3036.  

6. What streets can I park on when the snow ordinance is in effect?

The City of Grimes does not allow parking on any streets or alleys when the snow ordinance is in effect. The current fine for violating the snow ordinance (Grimes Code of Ordinances Chapter 69.11) is $50.

Click here to sign up for text or email alerts for snow ordinances.

7. Does Grimes have a police department?

Law enforcement is contracted through the Polk County Sheriffs Department. If you have an emergency dial 911. For non-emergencies call 515-286-3333.

8. Does Grimes allow open burning?

Open burning of yard waste and debris is not allowed. 

Open fires for cooking, heating, recreation and ceremonies are allowed, provided they comply with the limits for emission of visible air contaminants established by the State Department of Natural Resources (IAC, 567-23.2[3e]).

For more information see Chapter 105.04 of the Grimes Code of Ordinances.

9. How should I place my garbage or recycling cart to ensure collection during winter months?

Below are some tips for properly preparing your cart:

• Clear out a place for your cart when you shovel snow from your driveway. Leave 18 inches around it to allow room for the truck's arm.
• Don't place carts on snow piles, because it's easy for them to tip over and litter your streets and presents a difficult situation for the truck driver to set down your cart.
• Don't place carts in the street. This is a hazard for cars, and they could be destroyed by snow plows.

10. What should I do if my neighbor's dog is barking excessively?

If talking to the dog owner does not solve the problem, the next step is to call the Polk County non-emergency number, 515-286-3333. They will send a deputy out to document the problem and discuss it with the dog owner.

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1. How do I pay my city water bill?

Answer goes here...

2. How do I get a new trash can lid?

Answer goes here...

3. How do I apply for a job with the City?

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4. My trash didn't get picked up, what should I do now?

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5. How do I get a garage sale permit?

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6. How can I see the agenda for an upcoming City Council or Board meeting?

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1. When are trash, recycling, and yard waste picked up?

• Pickup is on Monday if you are south of 1st street and Tuesday if you are north of 1st street. Residents will be supplied with trash containers. Garbage billing is included on your monthly water bill and residents should contact Grimes City Hall at 515.986.3036 to begin service. If your pick-up is missed please call Metro Waste Authority at 515.244.0021. 
• The City of  Grimes also participates in the Compost It! program for yard waste disposal. Pickup is on Monday for residents south of 1st street and Tuesdays north of 1st street. Yard waste is only collected in Purchased Carts, Compost It! bags, or "Kraft-style" bags with a Compost It! sticker attached. Carts, bags, and stickers can be purchased at City Hall. If your pick-up is missed please call Metro Waste Authority at 515.244.0021.

2. What Park programs and classes are offered?

Find a list of youth and adult programs, as well as how to register, here.

3. How tall are grass and weeds allowed to grow?

In the City of Grimes, grass/weeds are not allowed to exceed 12 inches (City Code Section 302.4). Also, please don’t blow grass clippings into the street. This debris can cause nitrates to build up in the City's stormwater infrastructure causing area waterways to become contaminated. Piles of clippings can be hazardous to bicyclists as well. To report concerns related to lawn maintenance, please call 515-986-4050.

4. How do I get a permit?

Visit this page to download permit applications.

5. How do I get rid of an appliance?

Appliances can be picked up from your home if they have seven orange large trash stickers attached. Large trash stickers are available for purchase at City Hall, mwatoday.com, or at several local retailers. Then please call 515.244.0021 to schedule it with your hauler.

6. What's being built in Grimes

Learn more about current projects here.

7. Who do I contact if I have questions about my water?

Please reach out to the City at grimeswaterdept@grimesiowa.gov or call City Hall at 515-986-3036.

8. How do I set up trash and recycling services?

Trash and recycling services are included when you set up your water bill as recycling and trash are included in your monthly water bill. To set up water service, please fill out this online form and contact City Hall with any questions at 515-986-3036.

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1. What is stormwater?

Stormwater is the flow of water that results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt. When a precipitation event occurs, several things happen to the water.

Some of the precipitation infiltrates into the soil surface, some is taken up by plants, and some is evaporated into the atmosphere. Stormwater runoff is the remainder of the precipitation that flows off land surfaces and impervious areas into storm sewers and drainage ways.

2. What is stormwater runoff?

Stormwater runoff is the rainfall or snow-melt that runs off surfaces like roads, buildings, sidewalks, or compacted ground surfaces.

Stormwater runoff will usually flow into a storm drain or a ditch leading to a wetland, lake, river, or ocean. Sometimes it is channeled into a man-made stormwater pond so the pollutants can be removed from the water before they can seep into the ground.

As communities grow, they often experience more stormwater runoff problems due to the increase in areas that don’t absorb stormwater. Rainfall and snow-melt that would normally infiltrate into the soil becomes runoff. This increases both the volume and rate of runoff, which leads to flooding, stream bank erosion, and potential damages to public and private property and water quality.

3. Why is stormwater management important?

The term stormwater management means controlling stormwater, where it goes, and keeping stormwater free of pollutants. Stormwater management goes hand in hand with the development of towns and cities.

Stormwater runoff is a major problem when it picks up garbage, debris, sediment, and other pollutants from parking lots, yards, streets, etc. Unclean stormwater runoff discharges result in the loss of fish and aquatic wildlife from streams and creeks.

When proper stormwater management is implemented, this runoff is directed to stormwater management.

When this runoff is temporarily stored in a stormwater management facility, pollutants such as oil, chemicals, sediment, bacteria, etc. have the opportunity to settle out, thus improving the quality of the downstream waterway.

4. What can you do to prevent stormwater runoff?

Tips for preventing stormwater runoff include:

1. Conserve and recycle resources such as newspapers, plastic containers, glass jars, and metal cans.
2. Sweep grass clippings, leaves, and fertilizer from driveways, streets, and flumes.
3. Don't dump hazardous substances such as used oil, household chemicals, yard treatment chemicals, or other waste onto the pavement or into storm drains.
4. Prevent excess runoff of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides by using them properly and efficiently.
5. Fertilize your lawn, not nearby water sources. Understand your fertilizer label, and follow proper application rates.
6. Natural waste can be damaging as well. Leaves, grass clippings, and erosion are all sources of phosphorus, which turns lakes and rivers green with algae. Dispose of these properly so they do not wash into the storm drain.
7. Clean up after pets. Pet waste contains phosphorus and harmful bacteria.