FAQ - Annexation

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.

1. Submittals:
   • 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.
2. Filing Requirements:
   • 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.
3. Planning and Zoning:
   • Once all filings and reviews are complete, City staff will present the proposed annexation to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission will vote whether or not to recommend approval of the annexation to City Council.
4. City Council Approval:
   • 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.
5. City Development Board:
   • Annexation is governed by Iowa Code and administrative rules created for the City Development Board (staffed by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, a State of Iowa Agency), 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.  The City Development Board will review requests from cities for annexation at a public hearing followed by a vote to either approve or deny the annexation.
6. Appeal Process: 
   • For any annexation procedure requiring approval of the City Development Board, a final determination is issued. 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 effective 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. The City of Bettendorf has made it a policy to not pursue involuntary annexation.

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

• Bettendorf Police
• Bettendorf Fire/Emergency Medical Services
• Bettendorf sanitary sewer and Iowa-American Water
• Voting - as a resident of Bettendorf, you will have full voting privileges in all mayoral, council, and bond referendum elections. You will also be eligible to run for office, serve on various City boards, commissions, and committees.
• Enhanced Local Representation: In the City of Bettendorf, 7 council members and a mayor represent the 40,000 city residents (One representative for every 5,000 residents). In Scott County, 5 county supervisors represent the 174,000 county residents (One representative for every 34,800 residents).
• Library card access.
• Curbside waste collection service of household garbage, recyclable items, yard waste, bulky waste, and electronic waste.
• Maintenance of streets and street lighting
• Snow removal on public streets

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

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 Bettendorf, a property is automatically zoned A-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.

You will pay the City of Bettendorf 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 Scott County Treasurer’s 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:

https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/treasurer/tax-calculator

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.

The city does not manage water service. Iowa American Water Company owns and maintains the water mains throughout the City of Bettendorf. If on a private water well, the Scott County Health Department will continue to permit, monitor, and inspect the well. The city will not require a hookup if the existing private source is in good standing with the Scott County Health Department.

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 Public Works Department at 563-344-4055 to discuss specific fees.

You are not required to connect to natural gas in the City of Bettendorf. Natural gas is provided by MidAmerican Energy within the boundaries of the city. You must request in writing for natural gas to be connected to your property. Please contact MidAmerican Energy 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. For permits or questions, please contact the Community Development Department – Building Division at 563-344-4074.

You will be required to pay for solid waste collection service within city limits. Bettendorf offers curbside collection service to all single-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings that have direct access to a public street. The Solid Waste program encompasses collection and disposal of household garbage, recyclable items, yard waste, bulky waste, and electronic waste. For specific questions regarding solid waste services please contact the Public Works Operations Department at 563-344-4088.

After annexation approval, building permits will be obtained from the City and not the County. Please contact the Community Development Department – Building Division at 563-344-4074.

Anything on your property that is legal prior to annexation will be grandfathered in; this includes farm animals.  The Community Development Department enforces zoning and can answer any questions regarding the use of your property. They can be contacted at 563-344-4100.

The city allows recreational fires; however, open burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage, vegetation, rubber, plastic, painted/stained/treated wood is normally not allowed. For specific questions regarding open burning please contact the Bettendorf Fire Department at 563-344-4030.