Recreational Vehicles

New and/or transferred vessels are registered with the Pottawattamie County Recorder. All boat registrations will expire on April 30, 2022. Boat registration is valid for three years. A late fee of $5.00 will apply starting on May 1. 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
• 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. 

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

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.**

Operating an All-Terrain or Off-Road Vehicle in Pottawattamie County, 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.

Please review the operating requirements. Also please see Off-Road Vehicles Ordinance #2020-03.

You have the option to come in person or mail in completed Road Pass Application with payment of $50.00 to the Recorder's office. Must meet all requirements before issue.

Road Pass Information Packet