Urbandale lobbies D.C. to get its own ZIP code
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Urbandale City Hall. Photo: Courtesy of city of Urbandale
For decades, Urbandale has endured a ZIP code problem, but that may finally change if Congress allows the suburb to have its own unique five digits.
Why it matters: Residents and businesses near the city's limits say they're experiencing missing packages, mail delays and confusion over which government agencies to turn to.
State of play: Urbandale has six different ZIP codes within its city limits, but some of those are assigned to Johnston, Grimes and Waukee post offices, says city planner Annika Schilke.
Now, the suburb is joining dozens of cities nationwide lobbying Congress to give them their own single ZIP code, connected to the Urbandale post office.
- Two bills have passed the U.S. House and are awaiting Senate approval.
- Republican lawmakers U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst say they support the efforts.
- Urbandale is paying a D.C. lobbying firm $1,000 a month in conjunction with other cities to help resolve the issue.
Catch up quick: Troubles started in the Northpark Drive area, where Urbandale residents and businesses north of the interstate, like Texas Roadhouse and Delta Dental, reside.
- Though they were within Urbandale city limits, they were assigned a nearby Johnston ZIP code, causing letter and package delays.
- The issue has now grown to include larger swaths of the suburb. New homes in northwest neighborhoods are being assigned Grimes ZIP codes, while western portions are designated Waukee ZIP codes.
Zoom in: Waterford Elementary is within Urbandale city limits and belongs to the Waukee school district. However, it has a Grimes ZIP code.
- The school sends a person to the Grimes post office every day to make sure they get their mail, Schilke says.
The other side: The legislation in Congress "threatens to disrupt local mail service" by redrawing ZIP code boundaries, according to an email statement from Tara Jarrett, USPS spokesperson.
- Jarrett notes that ZIP codes are based on USPS facility locations and where mail carriers deliver from. She says legislated ZIP code changes focus on "tax collection, insurance rates, or community identity."
- "The Postal Service already works with local communities to resolve similar requests by allowing customers to use their preferred city name in combination with their existing ZIP code," Jarrett says.
What they're saying: While USPS allowed Northpark Drive residents to use Urbandale in their addresses, delivery challenges still remain, especially if a new carrier is on route, Schilke says.
What's next: A similar bill was last passed by Congress in 2006 and gave four cities their own ZIP codes.
- Schilke says she's hopeful this one passes the U.S. Senate.