Riceville is a community of over 800 friendly people. We are located in Northeast Iowa where life is centered on a strong rural economy. We have quiet, affordable living, choice building lots and industrial sites, municipal services, local LP gas and fuel oil service, a volunteer fire department, EMT and ambulance service, retirement complexes, real estate and auction services, local accountants, full-service bank and insurance agency, a community center, and so much more!
We offer a safe environment for children. There is a head start, community preschool, private day care providers, a summer recreation program, city park and playground, and a school DARE program.
Riceville provides many of the services of a larger community. A few of the locally owned businesses are construction contractors, newspaper, auto dealership, veterinarian, dentist, health care, a nine-hole golf course with restaurant and lodging, locker, convenience stores, floral shop, beauty salons, barber shops, restaurants, and more.
We are located on Iowa Highway 9. From whatever direction, we invite you to stop and visit!
- 15 miles from U.S. Highway 63
- 50 miles from I-35
- 30 miles from I-90

Riceville City Hall
Paige Bartels, City Clerk
641.985.2367
123 W Main St, Riceville, IA 50466
PO Box 256, Riceville, IA 50466
Visit Us
Riceville, IA
Riceville is a great recreation center for everyone. You'll find recreation opportunities such as fishing, swimming, tennis courts, a softball field, a 9-hole golf course, plentiful deer and pheasant hunting, and so much more.
History of Riceville
A unique characteristic of Riceville is that the town is located in both Howard and Mitchell County. Riceville was settled and platted in 1855 by Dennis Rice and his family. Rice was searching for a mill site when he purchased an area of land with a spring for the cost of five dollars.
An election to incorporate the town was held in November in 1892 in which 156 ballots were cast. The election resulted in N.W. Jewett as Riceville's first mayor.
A great addition to Riceville was Lake Hendricks. This 130-acre area was a gift from E.K. and Mildred Hendricks and his sister Alice H. McIntyre. The construction of two dams allows for the presence of a 50-acre lake which is stocked with numerous fish and today used for camping, fishing, and picnicking.
As an honor to Riceville community and its long heritage, in May of 1995 the city was rated top ten percent of governments in the nation in using its financial resources.
Utilities & City Services
Garbage pickup is done curbside on Monday of each week. City bags must be used for garbage and can be purchased at the following locations: City Hall, Peachey's Family Market, Andy's Mini Mart, Riceville True Value and Casey's. The cost is $1.00 for a 33-gallon size and $.50 for a 15-gallon size. Garbage rate is $29.95 per quarter. This charge will appear on your quarterly bill. Garbage fee is charged as long as the water service is turned on, regardless of any garbage is set out. Please keep the weight of garbage bags under 35#. Appliances such as refrigerators, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, stoves, air conditioners, console and portable TVs, etc. may be left curbside, but a pickup fee must be paid in advance. Please call city hall to arrange for pickup. Notice: needles CANNOT be placed in garbage. Bio-hazard containers are available at City Hall.
Riceville has an active recycling program to help with waste reduction in compliance with state standards. Recycling is picked up curbside on Wednesday of each week. The recycling material does NOT need to be sorted. You can use paper bags, cardboard boxes, a reusable plastic container, etc. to set your recyclables in. You do not have to use a city bag. If any items are not picked up, it means they are not in an acceptable container or not acceptable for recycling and should be disposed of in your garbage. A list is attached showing what is and is not recyclable and the proper preparation for each item. Please use discretion when setting out your recyclables. If it's very windy, either anchor down your containers or wait until the next week.
Yard waste will be picked up the last Thursday of the month, April through November. Branches should not be bigger than 4" in diameter and no longer than 48". Please bundle branches together for ease of handling. Yard waste may also be burned but keep your neighbor's comfort and weather conditions in mind when doing so. Also, please don't burn in the streets. Yard waste may also be deposited at the city tree dump located south of town on the West Side of the highway. Leaves cannot be left in plastic bags at this dump.
Water and sewer is provided by the city. Please notify city hall for water hookup and/or shut off. Water and sewer is billed quarterly.
- First 2,000 gallons $21.10(minimum), $2.10 per 1,000 gallons thereafter. Sewer is calculated at 100% of the water bill.
- There is a $30 late fee assessed on all past due accounts.
- Renters are required to pay a $130 deposit. When a renter's final bill is paid, the deposit will be refunded upon request.
Shut off date for delinquent bills are the 15th of the month following billing. Please set up a monthly budget payment at city hall if quarterly payments will not work for you. Automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account is also available. To find out more or to sign up for this option, stop at city hall. There is no charge for this service.
Electricity is provided by Alliant Utilities. Their number is 1-800-255-4268.
Omnitel provides telephone and cable service. Their number is 749-2531 (local call from Riceville)
City ordinance requires the clearing of snow and ice from sidewalks abutting your property 24 hours after cessation of a snowfall. No person shall park, abandon, or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley, or city off-street parking area during snow removal unless the snow has been removed or plowed from said street and snowfall has ceased.