Opinion ID: 2111113
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Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Removal of Fence.

Text: A county is permitted to remove obstructions on highways located within its jurisdiction. See generally Iowa Code ch. 319. Our legislature, however, requires the county to first give notice to the owner of the property causing the obstruction before it may be removed, unless the obstruction constitutes an immediate and dangerous hazard to persons or property lawfully using the right of way. See id. §§ 319.2, .13. If an immediate and dangerous hazard exists, the county is not required to give notice prior to removal and is not liable for any damages. See id. §§ 319.6, .13. Additionally, the costs of the removal become the responsibility of the owner of the obstruction. Id. Collins Trust claims the fence did not constitute an immediate and dangerous hazard. It maintains travel was not hindered by the fence because the debris had been cleared from the original road and a path was available for motorists to use. Consequently, it asserts the County lost its statutory immunity from liability for damages by failing to provide notice. What constitutes an immediate and dangerous hazard depends on the facts of each case and is generally a question for the finder of fact. See Koehler v. State, 263 N.W.2d 760, 765 (Iowa 1978). The exception to the notice requirement exists to protect the public, and necessarily considers all the surrounding circumstances including the nature of the hazard and the likelihood of harm if not immediately removed. In this case, the fence was constructed of barbed wire and covered the entire width of the traveled portion of the road. The road was narrow and had no lights or signs to alert motorists of the obstruction or the change in the path of the road. Motorists had become accustomed to using the curve in the road over the years. Furthermore, the fence forced motorists to leave the established roadway and use an alternative, less stable, route created by the Trust. Under these facts, we find substantial evidence to support the determination by the trial court that the fence constituted an immediate and dangerous hazard to persons or property using the roadway.