Boats & Recreational Vehicles

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New and/or transferred vessels are registered with the Pottawattamie County Recorder. All boat registrations will expire on April 30, 2028. Boat registration is valid for three years. A late fee of $5.00 will apply starting on May 1, 2028. Boat fees are based on the length and type of the boat. 

Items needed when transferring a boat:

• Bill of Sale
• The most current registration signed
• New vessels - Manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO)
• The title, if indicated

Before a recreational vehicle or vessel can be registered, a receipt, bill of sale or satisfactory evidence that the sales or use tax has been paid for the purchase of the vehicle must be brought to the Recorder's Office. Sales are subject to 7% if purchased in Iowa and 6% use tax if purchased out of state. 

Renewals can be done at any County Recorder's office. 

Initial registrations need to be in the county the boat is housed at. 

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New and/or transferred recreational vehicles are registered in Pottawattamie County. ATV, ORV, and snowmobile registrations expire on December 31 of each year. ATVs and ORVs registered since January 2000 and snowmobiles registered since January 1998 must have a title. 

Items needed when transferring an ATV, ORV or snowmobile:

• Bill of Sale
• The most current registration signed
• The title
• New vehicle - Manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO)

Fees are due annually by December 31 without penalty. A $5.00 penalty will apply after January 1. 

Before a recreational vehicle or vessel can be registered a receipt, bill of sale, or satisfactory evidence that the sales or use tax has been paid for the purchase of the vehicle. Sales are subject to 7% if purchased in Iowa and 6% use tax if purchased out of state. 

**Beginning July 1, 2024, the resident user permit (trail pass) will be combined with snowmobile registrations and renewals. The snowmobile registration fee has been increased to $33.50 (which is actually less than what the cost of registration plus a user permit was!) Iowa residents that use their snowmobiles on public land will not need to display a user permit on their snowmobile, but will still be required to display a current registration decal. Nonresidents will still be required to purchase and display a nonresident user permit.**

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors requires the purchase of a County Issues Road Pass to operate an ATV or ORV on a Pottawattamie County Secondary Road. The vehicle must also be up to date with its DNR registration. The current annual Road Pass fee is $50.

This permit allows the operation of registered vehicles to operate on County Owned Roads.  This permit DOES NOT allow for operation of said vehicles on State or City roads other than as prescribed by Law.

**This Road Pass is for state highways and county secondary roadways. If you plan on operating your vehicle within a cities coprporate limits, please contact that city directly.**

General Operation Guidelines

• Maximum Speed Limit of 35 MPH.
• Must be 18 years or older and poses a VALID driver’s license and carry VALID proof of insurance.
• Vehicle must have VALID DNR registration.
• A registered vehicle may only operate on a state highway that is NOT a divided highway (4 lanes) or Interstate Road System.
• You can ONLY drive on a state two lane highway over the most direct and accessible route to and from an all-terrain vehicle park or trail, to the nearest county secondary road, or an authorized city street or your residence.
• You may cross a State Divided 4 lane highway at an intersection from an authorized road as long as it is NOT an Interstate Highway.
• Counties can restrict use of a secondary road if it is under construction or is a detour for normal vehicle traffic.
• Iowa Cities may create their own restrictions for operation within city limits.

Vehicle Requirements for Road Use

Vehicles must be equipped the following accessories and equipment to lawfully operate on Pottawattamie County Secondary Roadways:

• Turn Signals (If vehicle is greater than 40 inches wide)
• Headlights
• Taillights
• Brake Lights
• Horn
• Illuminated Speedometer and Odometer
• DOT Rated Tires
• Rear Facing Mirror

FAQs

Can a City or County Charge for a Road Pass? – Iowa Code prohibits any city from charging a fee. While ATVs/ORVs are allowed to operate on County Secondary Roadway, state law does not prohibit counties from charging a fee.

Can I drive in a City? – Each City can adopt its own rules and regulations on where ATVs/ORVs can operate within its City Limits. Please contact the city you live in or where you will operate the vehicle.

Can I drive in a State Park? – State Law allows for operation on a “through road”, meaning a road that starts and ends outside the boundaries of the park. You may not operate on a side road wholly contained inside the park. This also applies to wildlife/game management areas.

My ATV/ORV is Farm Exempt, Can I Drive on the Road? – Iowa Code §321I.9(3) exempting ATVs used exclusively as farm implements from registration was not changed by the new law. Nor was Iowa Code §321.234A(1)(a) allowing for ATV operation on a highway between sunrise and sunset and incidental to the vehicle’s use for agricultural purposes (including stopping in the course of agricultural use to obtain fuel for the all-terrain vehicle or to obtain food or a nonalcoholic beverage for the operator). The new law’s language regarding age and insurance also does not apply to ATVs used for agricultural purposes under Iowa Code §321.234A(1)(a).

ATVs/ORVs used on roadways only for agricultural purposes need not obtain a County Road Pass.

Iowa DOT Slow Moving Vehicle RequirementsApply OnlineCounty Code Chapert 12