The City of Cedar Falls has been working with state and county agencies to protect and inform our community regarding the COVID-19 virus. We are taking safety precautions to help decrease exposure opportunities in our community and following the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Health (IDPH). 

On this website, you will find the latest city press releases regarding COVID-19, department updates, and resources to learn more about the virus.

City Facility Updates:

With the public health proclamation issued on May 13 by Iowa Governor Reynolds, certain City facilities will be reopening under COVID-19 restrictions. During this time, we continue to put precautions in place to help protect staff and the community: 

• Cedar Falls City Hall will be reopening to the public for regular business hours on May 18. 
  • All visitors will be required to wear masks. Staff will be wearing masks when interacting with the public as well. Signs will be positioned in City Hall notifying visitors of these requirements and social distancing marks will be in place on the floor to help visitors comply with guidelines. Visitors may only visit the front desk either upstairs or downstairs at City Hall. Plexiglass will be in place to provide a barrier between staff and visitors. Hand sanitizer stations will be set up at both windows and sanitation of all surfaces will be performed frequently. Any citizen exhibiting symptoms of illness, including fever, shortness of breath, or cough, should not visit City Hall.
  • We continue to encourage citizens to conduct business online as much as possible. Please see the resources listed under ’Learn more about doing business online with Cedar Falls’ section on this webpage for more information.
• The Cedar Falls Recreation and Fitness Center will be reopening on May 18 at noon to the public, under COVID-19 restrictions. Following their opening day the Recreation Center will be operating on summer hours (Monday – Thursday, 5:00 AM to 9:30 PM; Friday, 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM; Saturday, 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM; and Sunday, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM).
  • All patrons must wear masks and staff will also wear masks when interacting with the public. Only members will be allowed at this time (no daily admission). Per state mandates, the Rec will be operating under 50 percent occupancy capacity. Learn more about additional safety rules that will be in place at the Rec by clicking this link. Call (319) 273-8636 with any questions. 
  • The Rec will be opening for adult lap swim beginning June 1, 2020, through August 9, 2020. Hours for lap swimming are 5:45 AM to 7:30 AM on Monday/ Wednesday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday 4:30-6:30 PM all at Holmes Junior High. Adult lap swimming is for those 18 years and older.
• The Cedar Falls Public Library will remain closed, however, no-contact pickup of holds will begin May 20, 2020. Visit cedarfallslibrary.org for more information and contact (319) 273-8643 with any questions.
• Per state guidelines, the Cedar Falls Community Center will remain closed.
• The Visitors and Tourism Center will reopen on May 26, 2020. They will be open Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, and all visitors must wear masks. Social distancing signage and plexiglass barriers will be in place at the front desk. Call (319) 268-4266 with any questions.
• The Hearst Center for the Arts will reopen to the public beginning June 9 under normal operating hours under the following precautions
  • All patrons must wear masks in order to use the facility. Staff will also be wearing masks.
  • Staff asks that patrons be considerate of social distancing requirements when viewing exhibitions. Artworks are hung with enough space to allow for comfortable viewing.
  • Any patron exhibiting signs of illness including cough, fever, or shortness of breath or were recently exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 should not enter the facility.
  • By-appointment viewing of the exhibition is also available on Mondays between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call or email Heather Skeens the week before at (319) 268-5550 or heather.skeens@cedarfalls.com.
  • Currently, the Hearst has suspended all programming. Hearst summer camps have been canceled. Visit thehearst.org for more information and to stay updated on future programming announcements.
•  The Cedar Falls Public Safety and Public Works buildings will continue to have limited public access. 

Learn more about doing business online with Cedar Falls:

• Many permits, licenses, payments, services requests can be handled online, over the phone, by email, or traditional mail. Click here to see the list of city phone numbers.
• The Inspection Services Division is currently operating as follows:
  • Permits continue to be required for work regulated under our building codes
  • Inspections are to be scheduled by call/email only and Inspectors & Building Officials can be reached by contacting City Hall at (319) 273-8600
  • Permits can be submitted electronically at https://www.cf1stop.com/
  • New construction for both residential and commercial will continue as well as exterior inspections for siding, decks, etc. Additions/remodels inspections and furnace/hot water inspections are suspended but will resume June 1.
  • Learn more about Building Inspection Services here.

• Use the city website to report an issue or request service. Find request for service forms here.
• Cedar Falls Public Works will have limited public access during this time. Call Public Works at (319) 273-8629 with any questions.
• During this time, the Cedar Falls Public Safety building has limited access to the public. The Cedar Falls Police Division encourages the public to call in police reports to (319) 273-8612. Cedar Falls Public Safety will not be allowing public tours, fingerprinting or property pick up during this time.
  • There will be no rental or commercial inspections starting March 17.
  • You can now report crimes online at https://www.cedarfalls.com/1533/Report-a-Crime. The online submission form allows for the reporting of crimes such as credit card fraud, harassment, theft, and minor vehicle accidents on private property. It is not for emergencies or crimes in progress. In an emergency situation always call 911.

• Pursuant to the Governor’s Public Health Emergency Declaration of April 10, 2020, all in-person examination or in-person requests for records is currently suspended.
• Starting March 17, there will be no board or commission meetings with the exception of City Council and Planning & Zoning. City Council and Planning & Zoning Meetings will be held via Videoconference and broadcast to Channel 15. Continue to check this website and view recent press releases from the City for updates on how the public can access and participate in these meetings. 
• Please continue to check the city website and social media for additional updates. You can follow the city on Facebook and Twitter at @citycf.