Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Community Development
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You must own and reside in the home to do any electrical or plumbing work. Otherwise, contractors who have the required state licenses must be used. Permits are required for most electrical and plumbing work.Community Development
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A building permit is required. The International Building Code has set a limit of three layers of shingles maximum.Community Development
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There is no permit required for fencing. However, the following regulations apply. Fences located behind the front line of the house may be six feet high. In front of the home, height is restricted to three feet for solid fencing or the fencing material must be at least 75% open (i.e., chain link). The fence may be placed on the property line, however if it will need to be maintained it is recommended that you leave room to do so on your property. Corner lots have further restrictions. It is recommended that you call the Community Development Department at 563.262.4141 for more details. Reference City Code 10-19-3 on the following page.Community Development
Art Center
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No, there is no admission fee to visit the Muscatine Art Center. There are fees for studio art classes and special fundraising events hosted by the Friends of the Muscatine Art Center. Scholarships are available for art classes.Art Center
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Yes, the music room in the Musser Mansion, the Stanley Gallery Studio, and the Japanese Garden are all available for rent. A complete fee schedule is available by calling 563.263.8282 or by visiting our website.Art Center
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Tours may be scheduled by calling the Muscatine Art Center office weekdays at 563.263.8282.Art Center
Finance
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A resident must be at least 65 years old to qualify for these discounts. Applicants should bring their Medicare cards to the Finance Department in City Hall, located at 215 Sycamore Street, to complete a short application form.Finance
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Finance
The City of Muscatine reminds residents that you are required to license your dogs and cats according to City Code – and now that process is easier than ever. Purchasing a license tag and attaching it to your pet's collar is one of the most important things you can do as a responsible pet owner.
The City of Muscatine has partnered with PetData to provide an online solution for pet registration and the payment of fees. To begin your pet registration journey and/or to purchase a Dog Park Pass, click on the following link:
Fire & EMS Services
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The answer is simple - we do need them. Our standard response to any medical call involving chest pain, cardiac arrest, auto wrecks, unconscious people in Station 1’s district, and all medical calls in Station 2’s district within the City is to send an engine to assist on these calls. These engine companies are the same ones that respond to all fires in the City. We do not have enough bodies available to separate firefighting assignments from medical assignments. We do not have enough vehicles to divide them into firefighting vehicles and medical vehicles.Fire & EMS Services
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One of the keys to successfully extinguishing a fire inside a building is to ventilate. Ventilation is the process by which byproducts of the fire (heat, smoke, and gasses) are removed from the structure so an interior attack can be made. Only firefighters or those who have experienced a fire first-hand can appreciate the untenable conditions inside a burning building. Despite simulated fires seen in the movies or on television, the reality is that firefighters enter smoke-filled structures virtually blind and highly vulnerable to high temperatures, which can soar past 1,000 degrees at the ceiling. Even with all our protective gear on and our air packs, firefighters cannot survive long when exposed to such extreme temperatures. Therefore it is imperative that the worst of the smoke and heat be removed in order for firefighting operations to be done properly.Fire & EMS Services
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If we did not obtain your insurance information at the time of the ambulance call, we will send an insurance information form along with your first bill. If you want us to bill your insurance, please fill out, sign, and return the insurance information form. Including a copy of your insurance card (front and back) is optional, but suggested. If you do not have access to a copy machine, stop by our office at 312 East Fifth Street and we will be glad to make copies of your cards. Depending on what insurance you have, we might be able to take your insurance information over the phone. We will bill your insurance company for you, but the bill still remains your responsibility until it is paid in full.Fire & EMS Services
Human Resources
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Human Resources
Visit the City of Muscatine CAREER CENTER to find:
- A list of current open positions
- How to complete the online application process
- How to sign up for email notification of employment opportunities.
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Applications are available in three ways:Human Resources
- Online – Download an application.
- In person – Pick up an application at City Hall, 215 Sycamore Street.
- By mail – Request an application by calling 563.264.1550.
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City staff recommends direct contact with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission by calling 800.457.4416 or visiting their website.Human Resources
Musser Public Library
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Musser Public Library
You may become a registered borrower with the Musser Public Library by visiting the library, at 408 East 2nd Street, and presenting appropriate identification with a current address. Visit the library's website for more details.
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Musser Public Library
The library is located at 408 East 2nd Street in Muscatine, Iowa.
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The library provides a free wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) connection inside the building that may be accessed during normal business hours. Visit the library's website for more details.Musser Public Library
Parking Division
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Convenient drop boxes are located throughout the downtown area. Payments can also be mailed to City Hall at: 215 Sycamore St. Muscatine, IA 52761 You may also use our online payment system.Parking Division
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To appeal a parking ticket, please complete the following form.Parking Division
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Please call the Parking Department at 563.264.1550 to let us know the meter number and the problem with the meter. Also, you can put your name and address and a description of the problem with the meter on the back of the white ticket and drop it in one our our convenient drop boxes located throughout the downtown area.Parking Division
Parks & Recreation
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You may make a shelter or building reservation with a credit card payment by calling 563.263.0241 or by visiting the the Parks and Recreation Department office in City Hall at 215 Sycamore Street.Parks & Recreation
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Parks & Recreation
You may register for an activity by visiting the the Parks and Recreation Department office in City Hall at 215 Sycamore Street. To register online and view activity availability, visit the following website.
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To reserve a ball field or a soccer field, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 563.263.0241.Parks & Recreation
Solid Waste Collection & Disposal
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All waste must be placed out at the curb no earlier then 4:00 pm the day before your scheduled pick-up and no later then 5:00 am on the day of your scheduled pick-up.Solid Waste Collection & Disposal
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Solid Waste Collection & Disposal
The compost site is open from early spring until late fall, usually closing in mid-December (all depending on the weather). The site is open from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm, Sunday through Friday, and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays.
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Solid Waste Collection & Disposal
The Muscatine Recycling Center and Transfer Station is open from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 am to Noon on Saturdays. The last load has to be on the scale 15 minutes before closing.
Water Pollution Control
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Yes. The City of Muscatine Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) allows recreational vehicles (camping trailers or motor homes) to dispose of all wastewater at the WPCP dump site. There is no fee associated with this privilege, but dumping of illegal substances, such as cooking oils, pesticides, herbicides, fluids from vehicles, or any other chemicals that could interfere with the plant operations or pass through the plant is prohibited. To reach an operator from the dump site, use the phone located at the dump site to contact a plant operator. For more information call 563.263.2752.Water Pollution Control
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The Muscatine Water Pollution Control Plant laboratory does provide certified IDNR required testing of septic discharges for home owners that have been issued a NPDES General Permit Number 4. Testing parameters are for carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD), total suspended solids (TSS) and E.Coli. All samples are required to be taken by a certified sampler. For information on certified samplers and testing requirements, contact the Muscatine County Environmental Health office at 563.263.0482. For testing information contact Patti Fuller-Bloechl at 563.263.2752.Water Pollution Control
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Biosolids are primarily organic materials produced during wastewater treatment that may be put to beneficial use because they contain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus that are beneficial to crops. An example of such use is the addition of biosolids to soil to supply nutrients and replenish soil organic matter. This is known as land application.Water Pollution Control
Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Snow & Ice Control
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Call the City Public Works Department at 563.263.8933 during normal business hours with questions or comments concerning snow removal.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Snow & Ice Control
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An orderly procedure has been established for snow removal. Plow operators follow the order. Rest assured they will be there as quickly as possible.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Snow & Ice Control
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Yes, but only if parking is normally allowed on a snow route street. However, your vehicle must be removed when there is an emergency declared by the public works director or roadway maintenance supervisor. Snow emergency announcements will be on the local radio station and in the local newspaper.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Snow & Ice Control
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After the snow storm has stopped and all of the streets in Muscatine have been plowed back to the curb, the alleys will then be plowed.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Snow & Ice Control
Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Street Cleaning
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Streets with curb and gutter are swept twice per year.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Street Cleaning
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It has been determined that by mid- to late-October, the majority of the leaves are falling. We like to take advantage of the frost, rain, and winds that we get during October. The frost will set the leaves, which in turn with rain and wind allows for the maximum amount of leaves to fall onto the ground.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Street Cleaning
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The answer is no. Please do not rake your leaves out into the street. This will help prevent the leaves from washing into the catchbasins, which in turn could plug the sewers. Please rake them out before your scheduled day, and do not wait until you see us in the neighborhood. The leaf pick-up process moves very quickly and you won’t want to miss your pick-up days because you may end up with leaves in your yard all winter.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Street Cleaning
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Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Street Cleaning
Please contact the Public Works Department at 263-8933 in March to find out if there will be a Spring Leaf Pickup and if there is a pickup, what days it will be.
Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Traffic Control
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If you are involved in an accident or it is an emergency situation, please dial 9-1-1. If this is not an emergency, please call the Police Department at 563.263.9922.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Traffic Control
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Many people believe that installing stop signs on all approaches to an intersection will result in fewer accidents. This is not always the case. Although the accident severity may be lessened, such installations cause additional driver delay for those on the main street and higher vehicle operating costs caused by stopping additional vehicles. There is no real evidence to indicate that stop signs decrease the overall speed of traffic. Impatient drivers view the additional delay as caused by unwarranted stop signs, which breeds disrespect by motorists who tend to ignore them or slow down without stopping. This can sometimes lead to tragic consequences.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Traffic Control
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Installing these signs would set a precedent for placing signs where every child plays.Public Works - Roadway Maintenance - Traffic Control
Public Works - Equipment Services
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Equipment Services has maintains files for all City vehicles, including titles and records of repairs on all vehicles and equipment.Public Works - Equipment Services
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Records on all vehicles and equipment are used to provide information to each department at budget time on replacement of vehicles and equipment.Public Works - Equipment Services
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There is a formula we use to determine useful life of City equipment. This is also used and given to respective departments along with cost break-downs at budget time.Public Works - Equipment Services
Public Works - Building & Grounds
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We provide maintenance for many City-owned buildings and grounds that include City Hall, the Public Safety Building, the South Fire Station, the library, the Art Center and Museum, the Public Works Building, and certain maintenance functions at the Municipal Airport.Public Works - Building & Grounds
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The Community Development Department handles all building, electrical, plumbing, and other similar permits. For more details, please contact them at 563.262.4141.Public Works - Building & Grounds
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Currently we purchase the majority of supplies through the Bi-State Joint Purchasing Program.Public Works - Building & Grounds
City Administration
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The meetings are held the first three Thursdays of each month. The meetings held on the first and third Thursday are regular meetings. The second meeting of the month is the in-depth meeting and is basically a work session for City Council. Typically there are no action items on the agenda for an in-depth meeting.City Administration
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If you are interested in receiving a hard copy of the budget, please visit the Finance Department in City Hall, located at 215 Sycamore Street. View the online version of the City's budget on the following webpage.City Administration
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City Administration
To determine your ward or precinct, please view the Voting Precinct Map Once you have determined your ward or precinct, view contact information for your councilmember on the
Public Housing - Clark House
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3 to 6 monthsPublic Housing - Clark House
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50 years old or olderPublic Housing - Clark House
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$36,600 for a 1 bedroom unit.Public Housing - Clark House
Public Housing - FSS
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• The escrow account is based on increases in your rent payment resulting from increases in your earned income during the terms of the contract. Basically, the difference between your old rent and the new rent is placed in an escrow account. • Your escrow account will be placed in HUD approved investments. • Once a year you will receive a statement indicating the value of your account.Public Housing - FSS
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• Decide what you would like to accomplish during the next five years to reach economic independence and self-sufficiency. A good start is to identify what career goals you want to accomplish. The goals and the steps to you need to take to achieve those goals becomes a contract between you and the MMHA/HUD. Also consider it as a promise to yourself. • Keep MMHA informed about the progress you are making with your contract. Examples of progress might be various training or classes you have taken, job interviews, counseling sessions, and attempts at new employment. • Live in the MMHA jurisdiction in Section 8 housing at least 12 months from the start of your contract, unless you have been approved to move outside of the MMHA jurisdiction and your contract can be transferred to another housing authority.Public Housing - FSS
Public Housing - Hershey Manor
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a) 62 or older, b) the waiting list on average takes anywhere from 30--90 days.Public Housing - Hershey Manor
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Yes, you pay 30% of your adjusted income for rent with utilities included in that amount.Public Housing - Hershey Manor
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$22,200 for a 1 person household $25,350 for a 2 person householdPublic Housing - Hershey Manor
Public Housing - Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
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Public Housing - Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
To apply for Housing assistance, click here https://www.
waitlistcheck.com/IA995 and complete an online application. -
The waiting list is currently open and is anticipated to remain open.Public Housing - Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
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If you require additional information, please call our office at 563-264-1554.Public Housing - Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
SeeClickFix
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SeeClickFix
It is a tool for letting the City know what you think should be fixed. You can take and upload pictures of the problem you see. Requests are located using a point on a map. The City can respond to you or ask additional questions.
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SeeClickFix
Muscatine Connect, powered by SeeClickFix, is an easy way for residents to report concerns directly to the City and have department staff follow up to resolve the issues. Please use a detailed address, description, and photo (if possible) to give as much information to City staff so they can investigate and determine the best way to address your concerns. You are encouraged to enter your email address on reports in order to get automated updates on the status of your issue as City staff work to resolve it. This system is best suited to respond to service requests like potholes, street lights, etc. that can be assigned to staff and addressed in a timely manner. Issues requiring immediate attention or those dealing with public safety should be reported directly to the police at 563-2639-9922 as this system is not monitored 24/7.
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SeeClickFix
Muscatine Connect by SeeClickFix is an additional resource for community members to report infrastructure issues. Using the app is an efficient way to raise awareness within the City without having to make a phone call. The app streamlines the process of submitting a photo, description of the issue and location; also, Muscatine Connect allows you to track the status of reported issues.
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SeeClickFix
- Requests are placed on a map
- Public requests will remain on the map for anyone to review and share
- There is a mobile app
- Photos can be taken directly from mobile devices and uploaded
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SeeClickFix
Issues threatening public safety or things needing immediate attention (like downed wires, tree limbs, or needles), should be reported directly to the Muscatine Police Non-Emergency Line at 563-263-9922. Things that require long-term planning, a larger discussion, a community process, or involve multiple departments or non-City entities should be directed to the appropriate department by phone call or email as these issues are not easily "fixable" in the same way a pothole, streetlight, etc. are.
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SeeClickFix
This system is best suited to respond to service requests like potholes, street lights, etc. that can be assigned to staff and addressed in a timely manner. Start a report with the address of the issue and you will then see a drop-down menu with all of the possible categories of issues you can report using this system. Issues threatening public safety or requiring immediate attention should always be reported directly to the Muscatine Police Non-Emergency Line at 563-263-9922.
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SeeClickFix
You will automatically receive updates on your request if you create a free Muscatine Connect by SeeClickFix account.
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SeeClickFix
The City receives many requests per day, and departments do their best to respond in a timely manner. If you submitted a request and it hasn't been resolved , please be patient as staff is processing requests in the order that they come in.
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SeeClickFix
There is no cost to the user to use Muscatine Connect by SeeClickFix. The app is free for download and the browser version is also free.
Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
The Muscatine Dog Park is the first off-leash dog park in Muscatine, Iowa. This facility consists of several acres of fenced area for dogs to run, socialize, and exercise off-leash. Three sections are available: one for large dogs, one for small dogs, and one for shy/timid/quiet dogs.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
The Muscatine Dog Park is 600 South Houser Street, Muscatine, Iowa. The entrance is located just south of Kent Stein Park on the west side of Houser Street.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
The Muscatine Dog Park is open daily from dawn until dusk unless closed for maintenance or due to weather.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
All handlers must be 16 years of age and have a leash in hand at all times. Children under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
A one-year permit must be purchased for each dog and must be displayed at all times while using the park. For City of Muscatine residents, a City Pet License is also required. Visit PetData.com or call 855-312-9069 for information on how to register and license your pet, and to purchase a dog park pass.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
Official rules and regulations for the Muscatine Dog Park are posted at the park entrance and can be found online at www.muscatineiowa.gov/1225/Dog-Park. Paper copies are available at the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department office.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
Muscatine City Park rules apply to the Muscatine Dog Park. Because of the nature of the off-leash dog park, some additional prohibitions apply. The following items are prohibited: bicycles, skates, rollerblades, strollers, baby carriages, dog treats, rawhides, alcohol and any type of food. The following activities are prohibited: smoking and use of any tobacco products or their like, sports activities, dog training classes and business uses.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
Dogs under five months of age and female dogs in heat are not allowed in the park.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
The Muscatine Dog Park is self-supervised. Owners are responsible for their dog’s behavior and must be with their dog at all times. Dogs cannot be left alone in the park. Handlers must stop their dog from digging and immediately remove dogs with aggressive behavior or uncontrollable barking. Owners must properly dispose of waste in the provided receptacles. Staff will monitor the Muscatine Dog Park on a regular basis.
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Parks & Recreation - Muscatine Dog Park
For questions and additional information about dog park rules contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241. For questions and additional information on dog park passes contact PetData at (855) 312-9069. Please contact the Muscatine Police Department at (563) 263-9922 for non-emergency situations and 911 for emergency situations.