Fall in Iowa brings cooler air, vibrant color—and leaves that don’t respect property lines. If your neighbor’s tree dumps a golden mess all over your lawn, you might be wondering: who’s on rake duty?
While it may seem unfair, the law is surprisingly clear about who’s responsible for cleanup. Before you spark a leafy feud, here’s what Iowa homeowners need to know.
1. Property Owners Are Responsible For Their Own Land
Once leaves land on your property, they become your responsibility, even if they came from a neighbor’s tree. Iowa law follows the principle that property owners must maintain their own land.
This means you can’t force your neighbor to come rake leaves that fell from their tree onto your yard. While it might seem unfair, especially if their large oak tree drops tons of leaves every fall, the law sees it as a natural occurrence…