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1. How do I get certified for the shooting range at Clemons Creek?

To get certified for the shooting range, please contact Brandie Bray at (319) 657-2400 for an appointment.

2. Can I make a reservation for a campsite?

No. All of our campsites are first-come, first-served and self registration.

3. How do I make a reservation for rental facilities?

To make a reservation for any of our rental facilities, please contact the Center at 319-657-2400 or by e-mail at wscountyconservation@gmail.com 

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1. How do I get a new driveway?

You must have a permit to put in a new driveway. Read more here.

2. How do I get dust control by my property?

Contact an approved dust control supplier for Washington County. They will provide you with our dust control policy, permit application, and bright orange flags to mark the location to be sprayed. You do not need to contact Washington County. For more information visit our Dust Control Policy page.

3. How much is the permit for dust control?

If the permit application is received prior to May 1, the fee is $50 for 2 treatments. If the permit application is received after May 1, the fee for 2 treatments is $100.

4. Do I have to own the property where I am placing dust control?

You do not have to own the property. But you do need to notify the property owner of the location where dust control is being placed.

5. Where do I get the bright orange flags to mark my dust control?

The bright orange flags are supplied by your dust control provider. You are responsible for keeping the bright orange flags visible so the road grader does not grade your dust control.

6. Can I use waste oil as dust control?

No. Waste oil is a pollutant and not permitted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources or Washington County.

7. Why does it take so long to clear gravel roads when it snows?

Restoring access on gravel roads is a slow process since the motor graders are not built for speed and a typical route covers from 60-80 miles of road (or 120-160 lane miles) that need to be cleared. If windy conditions result in having to use the V-plows to get through snow drifts, even slower progress will be made. Sometimes after a severe storm it is not possible to reach all homes until the second or third day. Continued windy conditions can result in a road blowing shut shortly after it is opened. Home owners are encouraged to plan accordingly for the winter season.

8. Why does my driveway keep getting plowed shut?

Unfortunately, this is due to the continuous operation of the plow. It is necessary for the operator to push snow without stopping in order to efficiently remove the snow and complete the route in a timely manner. If we pause to clear each driveway, both momentum and time are lost. Generally the snow is pushed to the south and east so that the removed snow windrow will not act as a snow fence and cause drifting across the roadway with the prevailing northerly and westerly winds.

9. The plow knocked down my mailbox. Will the County replace it?

During wet snows, the plowing operations will often cast snow across the shoulder, which can break the weaker mail box supports. The County does not replace or repair mailboxes destroyed or damaged during snow removal operations.

For more information about how you can better support your mailbox, please read our Suggested Mailbox Support flyer (PDF).

10. I've seen plow trucks on the road that sometimes aren't spreading salt. Why don't they since they're there anyway?

Salt does not melt ice, but it does lower the freezing temperature of water. This works down to a temperature of approximately 20 degrees. At a critical temperature of about 20 degrees, applying salt to roads packed with snow or ice may create worse problems by causing the snow or ice to "glaze" or form a slick shiny surface. Also, during windy storms, snow will often blow off a bare road, whereas salt will sometimes cause the snow to begin to stick. We monitor the forecast and current temperatures to determine the most efficient use of our salt.

11. Is there anything that I can do to help with snow and ice operations?

Yes. Hay bales or other material that is stored along the north or west right-of-way will cause drifting across the roadway. If the bales were set back 300 feet, they would act as a snow fence and actually help protect the road.

During severe storms, it is helpful if folks are patient and wait for the snow plow so that abandoned vehicles do not become a big problem. Our operators try to go around those vehicles, but if that is not possible, the vehicle will be moved at the owner's expense to allow our equipment to get through. The County will not be liable for damage unless negligence can be established. Snow & Ice Removal Policy

12. When can we expect to see crews working during inclement weather?

As long as roadways are passable, the Secondary Road crew will work regular hours and not work on the weekends. Following a snow storm, we will work overtime hours during the week and the weekend until access has been restored to homes and livestock.

Washington County has an adopted a Snow Ordinance. The ordinance limits the County's liability and also outlines services that residents can expect during the winter season. Snow & Ice Removal Policy

13. How can I contact the Engineering and Secondary Roads Department?

For contact numbers and hour of operation, please visit our Engineering and Secondary Roads Department page.

14. Who do I contact in case of an emergency?

Emergencies (where loss of life is probable, where a serious injury has occurred, or where extensive loss of property is imminent) should be called to the Safety Center at (319) 653-2107 or 911 dispatcher. The County may respond to an "emergency" either during or after a snowstorm. For more information on emergencies, please visit our

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1. Can I get a copy of my driving record?

A person may purchase a copy of his/her driving record from any Sheriff's Department in Iowa. A driver's license needs to be presented at the time of your request as proof of identity. There is a fee of $6.50 for the record.

2. Can I get a copy of my child’s driving record?

Sheriff's may provide a copy of the record to that person or his/her authorized designee. A signed and notarized release or affidavit from the person is required. This rule applies to family members, insurance companies, and potential employers. The release/affidavit must be the original document, not a photocopy or fax.

3. Why was my name released to the newspaper?

Calls for service, arrests, and charging information are considered public records (Iowa Code Chapters 22.1 and 22.2 ) and must be made available to the media and public. Police investigative reports are not public records (Iowa Code Chapter 22.7 ).

4. Can I make an anonymous report to the Safety Center?

Yes, you can withhold your name from the dispatcher when reporting information. Dispatchers and officers prefer knowing the source of information, but we would rather receive an anonymous report of criminal activity than no report at all.

Please be aware that caller ID and enhanced 911 do provide the dispatcher with caller information. There is a toll free TIP line that is answered around the clock by the duty dispatcher. That line can be reached by calling 800-847-7492.

5. How can I get a copy of my criminal history?

Local criminal history information can be obtained by visiting the Clerk of Court’s Office located in the Washington County Courthouse. A computer is available for your use.

To obtain a State of Iowa criminal history record, you must contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in Des Moines, IA. There is a $13 charge for each surname requested. Forms are available online, at the Clerk of Court’s office, or at our office. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Website

6. Does your office release juvenile information?

No, although our office does process juvenile paperwork. We do not release this information to the public. Any inquires can be made by contacting the juvenile probation office at 319-653-2197.

7. What is the fee to obtain a copy of an accident report?

The fee for an accident report is $4.

8. Can I get a copy of an officer's Incident Report?

When a citizen calls the safety center reporting a crime, accident, or other incident, a call for service report is completed. This call for service details the date, time, specific location, and immediate facts and circumstances surrounding a crime or incident. This information is available to the press and public upon request. Police investigative reports are not public records (Iowa Code Chapter 22.7 ) and are typically not released to the public.

9. If I have drug information, how do I provide it to an officer?

Any deputy or city police officer can take this information. Deputy Eric Weber coordinates this information. He can be reached by calling 319-653-2107. This information can also be provided through the TIP number at 800-847-7492. Contact Eric Weber

10. How do I check to see if a person is on the sex offender registry?

Please contact Mike Clark by calling 319-653-2107 during normal business hours. You can also visit the Iowa Sex Offender Registry Website.

11. What is the most common way to detect a methamphetamine lab?

Methamphetamine labs are located most generally by the strong smell of ether. This is used in the process and is a very strong and distinct odor. Stores that carry some of the items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine can tell by purchases that are being made of said items. Some of these items would include: Lithium batteries (unusual quantities), numerous cans of ether, and or numerous amounts of Pseudoephedrine pills. It is possible to smell the anhydrous ammonia however most of the time this process is actually done in a different location.

12. What happens if I am involved in a motor vehicle accident?

First of all any and all injuries are looked after. If we are unsure if there are any injuries in an accident we always have the ambulance start toward the scene. If we find that no one is injured we then collect information about the accident. This includes information about the drivers and passengers and the motor vehicles that they were driving. Information about each driver is written out and exchanged with the other driver of the other vehicles. This is done so that if the total amount of property damage exceeds $1000 each driver will have the information needed to fill out his or her form. Finally the officer will make a determination if and who is at fault in the accident. Once fault is determined a citation will be issued to the violating driver. Once that is done each driver should report the accident to his or her own insurance company.

Please remember, you must have insurance on your vehicle to drive it or at least be able to prove financial responsibility. If you have failed to supply information about anyone of the 2 you are subject to a written citation for driving a motor vehicle with out insurance. The cost of this fine is very high and is easily avoided.

13. What do I do if I am issued a ticket and I do not agree with the officer or the ticket?

You have the option to go to court on any criminal offense or traffic ticket that you are charged with. If you do not agree with the charge one way or the other, you should go to court and express your side of things.

If you wish you can hire an attorney to help you or you may go in and ask questions of the officer and state your side of the case to the judge. There is not any use arguing about the charge with the officer because he/she has made the decision and will follow through with it. Your available option is to take your complaint to court.

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1. How do I get a permit to carry concealed weapons?

Iowa Code Section 724 lists requirements to obtain a permit to carry weapons. Those requirements are as follows: 1) Completion of any handgun safety training available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, community college, college, private or public institution or organization, or firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the NRA or certain other firearms training certifying bodies (such as the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). Certificate of completion MUST indicate that training was complete for handgun or pistol.  This training must be no more than 24 months prior to application if the applicant has not held a valid Iowa permit to carry issued after July 1, 2011. 2) Completion of small arms training while serving with the armed forces of the United States of America as evidenced by any of the following: A. For personnel released or retired from active duty, possession of an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions. This can also be shown with a Form DD-214. B. For personnel on active duty or serving in one of the National Guard or Reserve components of the armed forces of the United States of America, possession of a certificate of completion of basic training with a service record of successful completion of small arms training and qualification. 3) Completion of a law enforcement agency firearms training course that qualifies a peace officer to carry a firearm in the normal course of the peace officer's duties. Permit to Carry Applications, along with payment for permit may be dropped off at the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. except on holidays.  Make sure to include a valid mailing address as all permit holders issued permits  after January 1, 2018 will have a State Issued card mailed to them at the mailing address provided on the application between 10-14 days after the application is processed.

2. How much does a permit to carry cost?

Costs for the permit to carry are as follows, as set by Iowa Code section 724: 1) New permits are $50.00 2) Renewal Permits are $25.00 3) Corrections Officers permits are available at no cost (with proof of employment). 4) Duplicate permits are $25.00 and will keep the same issue and expiration dates. 5) State issued plastic cards will be issued at no extra cost to permit holders issued carry permits after July 1, 2017. Forms of payment accepted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office are cash, personal check, or money order; we do not accept debit or credit cards.

3. How long is a permit to carry valid?

A Non-Professional Permit to Carry Weapons is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

4. How do I renew my Iowa permit to carry?

Renewal requirements as spelled out in Iowa Code Section 724 are as follows:  Application must be made no more than 30 days prior to and no more than 30 days after date of expiration of valid permit to carry issued in Washington County, Iowa.  

5. How do I get a permit to purchase a weapon?

The Sheriff's Office has an application that must be completed and signed. The applicant must have photo identification when the application is returned for processing.  There is a $25 fee and the permit is valid for 5 years after date of issue. Completed applications may be dropped off, along with $25.00, at the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., except holidays.  Beginning January 1, 2018, a State issued plastic card will be mailed to the address provided on the application, directly from the State 10-14 days (maybe sooner) after the application is processed.

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1. What is the Subdivision Ordinance?

The regulation that governs how land is divided in Washington County. Any land being subdivided in rural Washington County must comply with the regulations of this ordinance.

2. Who is the Subdivision Coordinator?

The Subdivision Coordinator is the person hired by Washington County to administer and enforce Washington County's subdivision ordinance. Planning & Development Department Page

3. How do I contact the Subdivision Coordinator?

You may send correspondence by letter, email, phone, fax, or just stop by our office. We will be happy to make time to meet with you or set up a time to do so. Planning & Development Department Page

4. How long has Washington County had a Subdivision Ordinance?

This ordinance was adopted on May 12, 2005.

5. I want to split my property into multiple pieces, where do I start?

You should review our overview sheets which show the necessary steps for subdividing property. You may need to hire professionals to assist you. For more information, visit our Subdivision and Platting page.

6. I want to build a new home, what permits do I need?

When considering new building and development projects in the unincorporated areas of Washington County, our permit list is provided to assist property owners in contacting the proper department or agency. Permit List (PDF)

7. Does Washington County have a floodplain map?

For floodplain maps, please visit our Subdivision and Platting page.

8. Where can I get more information on the floodplain?

You may contact the Flood Mapping Distribution Center at 800-358-9616. You may also contact the USGS (United States Geological Survey) in Iowa City at 319-337-4191.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has amps online at their Map Service Center website.