Abandoned Vehicles

Airports

Bicycles do not have to be registered with the Police Department. Abandoned bikes are kept by the police; lost or stolen bikes can be reported to them also.

Nearly all of the property in University Heights is zoned R-1, single family residential.  Permitted uses within this zone include occupancy by a family and one person not a member of the family.  "Family" is defined as one person or two or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption occupying a dwelling as an individual housekeeping unit.
This ordinance also provides that no building shall be erected or altered unless a building permit is issued by the building inspector. It is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure that required permits are obtained. Do not assume that the contractor will do this. Contact the Building Inspector.
There are also ordinances that regulate fences and driveways. If you are building or changing a fence or driveway, check with the City Clerk or the Building Inspector first. If any University Heights citizen has any questions about the zoning ordinance, or if you would like to report a possible violation of the ordinance, please contact the City Attorney.

Driver's Licenses can be purchased and renewed at the State of Iowa Department of Transportation and is located at: Eastdale Plaza, 1700 First Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa 52240.

The Johnson County Auditors Office serves as Commissioner of Elections, Commissioner of Voter Registration, and as the official clerk to the Board of Supervisors. The office is located on the first floor of the Johnson County Administration Building at 913 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa City and the office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Call 9-1-1.

If you have questions regarding nearby cities or our elected officials, one of these links might help.

Johnson County Council of Governments (JCCOG)
Link to this site containing federal, state, county, city, and school board officials

The Hazardous Waste Collection Facility is located at the Iowa City Recycling Center at the Iowa City Landfill. The Iowa City Landfill is located at 3900 Hebl Avenue (continue on Melrose Avenue about 2 miles west of Iowa City). Hazardous wastes and/or materials can be found throughout the home. Look in the kitchen, bathroom, basement and garage for them. Examples include: oven cleaner; drain and toilet bowl cleaner; gasoline; battery acid; weed killer; pesticides; solvents; oil-based paint; shoe polish; moth balls; syringes. Look for labels on the items: words such as DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION are signals for hazardous waste. Proper disposal of these and any other hazardous waste/materials is important to the safety of your family and household pets, as well as the quality of our environment. Reduce the risk of poisonings, fires, and toxic fumes by properly disposing of such materials at the Iowa City Recycling Center at the Iowa City Landfill. Never dispose of hazardous waste/materials directly into your garbage or into the waterways of our community. All residents of University Heights are eligible to use this free service. Yet, it is important that all users follow the following instructions for using the facility:

• Take a quick inventory of the items you want to dispose. Make a list of the general types and quantity of waste. You’ll be asked about your items when you make your appointment.
• Call the Iowa City Landfill office at 356-5185 during their operating hours (7:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday) to set up an appointment.
• Appointments are available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7:00 AM – 1 PM)
• Keep items in their original containers – never mix materials together. 
• Label unmarked containers.
• Transport materials to the Iowa City Recycling Center in sturdy, leak proof containers, preferably in your trunk or truck bed. Cushion glass or breakable containers.
• Arrive for your appointment on time!
• Pull up to the facility and remain in your vehicle. The Iowa City Landfill staff will assist you.
• Please fill out a short survey after the collection is complete.

Iowa City Landfill staff will be there to assist only at your appointment time and no drop-ins (i.e. unscheduled drop offs) will be accepted. This procedure allows the staff the time to carefully process the specific type of hazardous waste/materials you bring to the site. While you are there, feel free to look through the Exchange Room. Items that are brought into the Hazardous Waste Collection Facility which are still in their original containers and in usable condition will be placed in this room for people to pick up at no charge. Automobile fluids and paints are some of the items most likely to be available. No appointment is necessary if you want to check out the Exchange Room for usable items and don’t intend to drop items off. If you have any questions about the facility or its procedures, please call 356-5185. 

Contact the City Engineer to obtain information relating to sidewalks.

The City has contracted Johnson County Refuse for snow removal services. Both sand and salt are used in winter. Repeated sanding of intersections is authorized as needed. On days (or 
evenings) when plowing is likely, please do not leave your cars on the street, as they interfere with plowing. They may be ticketed.
Ordinance #97 was enacted to provide citizens with guidance for the removal of snow and/or ice from their sidewalks and driveways. The ordinance prohibits property owners or persons in possession (renters) from removing snow and/or ice accumulations from their property and placing them on the private property of another without their prior permission. Property owners or renters are prohibited from placing snow and/or ice accumulations on public property or public right-of-ways. Further, property owners or renters are prohibited from pushing, transporting or carrying snow and/or ice accumulations from their property into, upon, or across a street or alley right-of-way for the purpose of depositing the snow and/or ice on the other side of the street or alley right-of-way without prior approval of the Council. This provision does not apply to snow and/or ice hauled and deposited upon private property with the consent of the person who owns the property.
Sidewalk snow removal is the responsibility of each property owner. You should have snow removed within a reasonable period of time (24 hours) after each snowfall. The property owner is legally liable for accidents due to failure to clear sidewalks. The city has the authority through ordinance to remove snow from sidewalks not cleared within 24 hours and charge the cost to the property owner without prior notification. This can be quite expensive for the property owner. We hope such action does not become necessary.