Annexation FAQ

Annexation is a process that brings property into the City limits. No major changes in lifestyle or business operations are involved to the property owner being annexed. Annexation is the best way for unincorporated areas to receive services such as police, fire, recycling collection, water and sewer services, maintenance of streets, zoning regulations, voting privileges and other city services. The result is a change in the boundaries of the community and it’s one of the primary ways a city grows. 

Submittals:

1. A landowner files an application/petition to be annexed. When an annexation application/petition is received by the City, the process starts with an internal review to ensure the property to be annexed is contiguous and does not create an island.  If the property meets this requirement, the city can act on the applications received. 

Filing Requirements:  

1. The internal review process then continues as City Staff begins preparing the annexation to move forward.  Depending on the type of annexation, the City will ensure all filing requirements, along with a number of preliminary steps including consultations and notifications, are satisfied.  

Planning and Zoning:

1. Once all filings and reviews are complete, City Staff will present the proposed annexation to the Plan and Zoning Commission.  The Commission will vote whether or not to recommend approval of the annexation to City Council.

City Council Approval:

1. Before an annexation can be heard by the City Council, the City is required to notify all property owners adjacent to the proposed annexation.  The process then leads to a required public hearing at the City Council level.  At this meeting, City Council will hear from any members of the public and vote on whether or not to approve the annexation and send it on to the City Development Board.  

City Development Board:

1. Annexation is governed by Iowa Code and administrative rules created for the City Development Board, which functions as an impartial third party.  Meeting monthly, this board is appointed by the Governor and acts on petitions for municipal boundary changes, including annexations.  Typically, an annexation will go in front of this board twice, taking one to two months to complete.  The first time for review to ensure certain filing requirements have been met and that the annexation is procedurally correct.  Then, a second time for a required public hearing followed by a vote to either approve or deny the annexation.  

Appeal Process:  

1. For any annexation procedure requiring approval of the City Development Board, there is a final determination by the City Development Board.  This starts an appeal period during which an interested party can file a lawsuit in District Court to challenge the action of the City Development Board.  If there is no litigation filed within the appeal period, the action of the City Development Board becomes final.  If there is litigation, the annexation effect date is stayed until the resolution of the litigation.  

Iowa law effectively recognizes two basic types of annexation:

1. Voluntary annexation: property owners request annexation into the city.   This also includes:
   1. 100% voluntary annexation:   100% of the land area being proposed for annexation is consented by those property owners.
   2. 80/20 annexation:   80% or more of the land area being proposed for annexation is consented by those property owners, but 20% or less is non-consenting.
2. Involuntary annexation – the city requests property to be annexed without the need for consent of the property owners.  Involuntary annexation of property is rare in Iowa, but it is an option made available to cities by Iowa Code.

Regardless of the type of annexation, the new territory must be contiguous to, or touching the existing city boundaries, and no islands or peninsulas can be created due to the annexation.

• Ankeny Police
• Ankeny Fire/Emergency Medical Services
• Water/sewer – Ankeny residents pay 50% less for usage and availability fees for both water and sewer than customers who are outside of Ankeny City limits. 
• Voting - as a resident of Ankeny, you will have full voting privileges in all mayoral, council, bond referendum elections. You will also be eligible to run for office, serve on various City boards, commissions, and committees.  
• Recreation and facility rental discounts – a discounted resident rate for all Parks & Recreation programs and facility use. This includes the aquatic centers. 
• Bi-weekly recycling collection
• Maintenance of streets & street lighting

You will have access to other programs for the public benefit including city planning/zoning and development review, code compliance, libraries, and recreation programs.

In order for an annexation to move forward, the property owners from at least 80% of the land area of the proposed annexation area must agree to be annexed. This is known as an “80/20” annexation.  Based on the annexation applications received, the City will review and identify an appropriate annexation boundary that is consistent with City and State laws and policies. The City strives for uniform boundaries and is unable to create islands with annexation. 

Zoning regulates how land may be used and provides for planned development. Zoning separates incompatible uses, preserves neighborhood character, determines density, intensity of use, height, lot coverage, landscaping, and parking for a particular use. Special districts may include urban design regulations or guidelines.

Upon annexation into the City of Ankeny, a property is automatically zoned R-1, the City’s most restrictive Zoning District.  A property owner may apply for a rezoning of the property. Any future rezoning request would need to be consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. 

At the time of annexation, any legally existing use or structure on a property would be allowed to continue/remain as is regardless of the new city zoning.  Future changes to the property or use would be subject to the City’s Zoning requirements. 

It is likely your address will change to be consistent with the City’s street and addressing grid. This is important for 911 response purposes. 

You will pay the City of Ankeny tax levy for your property taxes.  You will no longer pay taxes to the Rural Service Basic levy of the County. Other levies, like school district, will remain the same. The Polk County Assessor website has a tool to help you estimate your taxes, based upon the city and school district in which your property is located. It can be found at: Polk County Assessor Estimate your Taxes - What if?

The new tax levy will not be applied immediately upon annexation, but will appear in your property tax statements in accordance with the standard valuation procedures and property tax billing timelines. 

When the City has an available water main within 200 feet of your property you will be required to connect to City water at your cost. If City water is not available to your property (within 200 feet) then you can continue to utilize a private well or a rural water provider.

The City has service agreements with Berwick Water District and Des Moines Water Works that impact new water service connections that may require a connection to City of Ankeny water. Please contact the Ankeny Municipal Utilities Department 515-963-3520 to discuss specific new water service connection requirements.  

If there is a connection fee district in place, these fees will be due upon connection.  

It may be possible to use your existing service lines if it can be verified that they are made of approved materials and are in a safe condition. Any connection to the water main will need a plumbing permit and an inspection from the City of Ankeny. You will be responsible for all costs of making the connection.  Unless you are subject to a previous agreement with the City, there is a water connection fee, subject to change.  The current cost of a meter is $335 and the set-up fee is $200.

Once connected to the City’s water system, you may be subject to an inspection of your plumbing system to determine whether the system has adequate venting and backflow protection to protect the public water system. You will need to correct any deficiencies found in that inspection prior to connecting to the public water system. 

A connection to the City sanitary sewer system is required only if the existing system needs to be repaired/replaced and the house/principal building is within 200 feet of a public sanitary sewer. 

You will need to obtain a plumbing permit for the connection and is subject to inspections by the City. The property owner is responsible for all costs of making the connection. Unless you are subject to a previous agreement with the City, there is a sewer connection fee.  Please contact the Municipal Utilities Department 515-963-3538 to discuss specific fees.  

Upon annexation, Ankeny Police and Fire will be the first responder for emergency services.  

Your electric provider for a property will not change upon annexation.  Present providers are Consumers Electric or MidAmerican Energy.   Properties within the city that are served by these franchise utilities are subject to the City Council adopted franchise fee.  This fee is added to a customer’s monthly electric bill and is presently set at two percent (2%). 

While above ground fuel tanks are not allowed in residential areas per City Code, the City allows for annexed structures that do not comply with Ankeny’s zoning ordinance to be considered “legal non-conforming”.   

You are not required to connect to natural gas. Natural gas is provided by MidAmerican Energy and Black Hills Energy within the boundaries of the City. You must request in writing for natural gas to be connected to your property.  Please contact the appropriate franchise utility company with questions about natural gas service.  If you wish to connect to natural gas, you will need a plumbing and/or mechanical permit from the City and have the work inspected.  Properties within the city that are served by these franchise utilities are subject to the City Council adopted franchise fee.  This fee is added to a customer’s monthly natural gas bill and is presently set at two percent (2%). 

MidAmerican Energy: 888-427-5632

Black Hills Energy: 888-242-3969

You are not required to change your current garbage provider. The City contracts with Metro Waste Authority for bi-weekly curbside recycling for all residential properties that receive water and/or sanitary sewer service from the city. This charge is billed monthly by the city and will be included on your water/sewer bill. For specific questions regarding recycling services please contact Metro Waste Authority at 515-244-0021.

After annexation approval, building permits will be obtained from the City and not the County. You can apply for building permits on the City website at www.ankenyiowa.gov/permit. 

Anything on your property that is legal prior to annexation will be grandfathered in, this includes farm animals.

The City allows recreational fires however, open burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage, vegetation, rubber, plastic, painted/stained/treated wood is not allowed. Residents may burn untreated wood, logs and branches contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace or fire pit and a total area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.  For specific questions regarding open burning please contact the Ankeny Fire Department at 515-965-6469.

School district boundaries are independent of City boundaries.  The City of Ankeny is served by multiple school districts and there are no changes to your school system as a result of annexation.