Opinion ID: 1723577
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Heading: Background on Voluntary Annexation Proceedings.

Text: Annexation involves the addition of territory to a city. Iowa Code § 368.1(2). Annexation law is purely statutory, and Iowa Code chapter 368 governs voluntary and involuntary annexation proceedings. See id. § 368.7; City of Des Moines, 473 N.W.2d at 199. An annexation is voluntary when all of the owners of land in a territory adjoining a city ... apply in writing to the council of the adjoining city requesting annexation of the territory. Iowa Code § 368.7(1). The purpose of section 368.7 is to avoid the costly and involved procedures governing involuntary annexations. City of Waukee, 514 N.W.2d at 87; see Iowa Code § 368.11. An application for voluntary annexation must include two items: (1) a legal description of the territory to be annexed; and (2) a map of the territory showing its location in relationship to the city. Iowa Code § 368.7(1); see Iowa Admin. Code r. 263-1.7 (1991). There is a statutory presumption of validity for voluntary annexation approval. Iowa Code § 368.6. All applications for voluntary annexation must be approved by resolution of the city council that receives the application. Id. § 368.7(2)-(3). In addition, if the land is in an urbanized area, the application must also be approved by the Board. Id. § 368.7(3).