ARSON

Iowa Code tit. XVI, ch. 712

in effect

Iowa Code § 712.1 Arson defined.

712.1. Arson defined. 1. Causing a fire or explosion, or placing any burning or combustible material, or any incendiary or explosive device or material, in or near any property with the intent to destroy or damage such property, or with the knowledge that such property will probably be destroyed or damaged, is arson, whether or not any such property is actually destroyed or damaged. Provided, that where a person who owns said property which the defendant intends to destroy or damage, or which the defendant knowingly endangers, consented to the defendant’s acts, and where no insurer has been exposed fraudulently to any risk, and where the act was done in such a way as not to unreasonably endanger the life or property of any other person the act shall not be arson. 2. Causing a fire or explosion that damages or destroys property while manufacturing or attempting to manufacture a controlled substance in violation of section 124.401 is arson. Even if a person who owns property which the defendant intends to destroy or damage, or which the defendant knowingly endangers, consents to the defendant’s act, and even if an insurer has not been exposed fraudulently to any risk, and even if the act was done in such a way as not to unreasonably endanger the life or property of any person, the act constitutes arson. [C51, §2598 – 2603; R60, §4222 – 4227; C73, §3880 – 3885; C97, §4776 – 4781, 4795, 4798; C24, §12963, 12964, 12984 – 12989; C27, 31, 35, §12963, 12964, 12991-b1 – b3, -b5; C39, §12963, 12964, 12991.1 – 12991.3, 12991.5; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §697.3, 697.4, 707.1 – 707.3, 707.5; C79, 81, §712.1] 2004 Acts, ch 1125, §13

Iowa Code § 712.2 Arson in the first degree.

712.2. Arson in the first degree. 1. Arson is arson in the first degree when the presence of one or more persons can be reasonably anticipated in or near the property which is the subject of the arson, or the arson results in the death of a fire fighter, whether paid or volunteer. 2. Arson in the first degree is a class “B” felony. [C51, §2598, 2599; R60, §4222, 4223; C73, §3880, 3881; C97, §4776, 4777, 4795; C24, §12964, 12984, 12985; C27, 31, 35, §12964, 12991-b1; C39, §12964, 12991.1; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §697.4, 707.1; C79, 81, §712.2] 84 Acts, ch 1064, §1; 2004 Acts, ch 1125, §14; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §70 Definition of forcible felony, §702.11

Iowa Code § 712.3 Arson in the second degree.

712.3. Arson in the second degree. 1. Arson which is not arson in the first degree is arson in the second degree when the property which is the subject of the arson is a building or a structure, or real property of any kind, or standing crops, or is personal property the value of which exceeds seven hundred fifty dollars. 2. Arson in the second degree is a class “C” felony. [C51, §2600 – 2602; R60, §4224 – 4226; C73, §3882 – 3884; C97, §4778 – 4780; C24, §12986 – 12988; C27, 31, 35, §12991-b1, 12991-b3; C39, §12991.2, 12991.3; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §707.2, 707.3; C79, 81, §712.3] 2004 Acts, ch 1125, §15; 2019 Acts, ch 140, §10; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §71

Iowa Code § 712.4 Arson in the third degree.

712.4. Arson in the third degree. 1. Arson which is not arson in the first degree or arson in the second degree is arson in the third degree. 2. Arson in the third degree is an aggravated misdemeanor. [C79, 81, §712.4] 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §72

Iowa Code § 712.5 Reckless use of fire, explosives, or destructive devices.

712.5. Reckless use of fire, explosives, or destructive devices. Any person who uses fire, explosives, or destructive devices to recklessly endanger the property or safety of another shall be guilty of a serious misdemeanor. [C51, §2607; R60, §4231; C73, §3889; C97, §4785; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §12992; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §707.7; C79, 81, §712.5] 2023 Acts, ch 12, §3, 8

Iowa Code § 712.6 Explosive materials or destructive devices.

712.6. Explosive materials or destructive devices. 1. A person who possesses any explosive material or destructive device with the intent to use such device or material to commit a public offense shall be guilty of a class “C” felony. 2. a. A person who possesses any explosive material or destructive device shall be guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. b. This subsection does not apply to a person holding a valid commercial license or user’s permit issued pursuant to chapter 101A, provided that the person is acting within the scope of authority granted by the license or permit. 3. A person who, with the intent to intimidate, annoy, or alarm another person, places a simulated explosive or simulated destructive device in a place that the person reasonably believes is likely to cause public alarm or inconvenience, is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. 4. A person who uses any explosive material or destructive device to commit any public offense or who possesses any explosive material or destructive device during the commission of a felony shall be guilty of a class “C” felony. [C71, 73, 75, 77, §697.11; C79, 81, §712.6] 2004 Acts, ch 1125, §16; 2008 Acts, ch 1147, §4; 2023 Acts, ch 12, §4, 8

Iowa Code § 712.7 False reports.

712.7. False reports. A person who, knowing the information to be false, conveys or causes to be conveyed to any person any false information concerning the placement of any incendiary or explosive device or material or other destructive substance or device in any place where persons or property would be endangered commits a class “D” felony. [C71, 73, 75, 77, §697.6; C79, 81, §712.7]

Iowa Code § 712.8 Threats.

712.8. Threats. Any person who threatens to place or attempts to place any incendiary or explosive device or material, or any destructive substance or device in any place where it will endanger persons or property, commits a class “D” felony. [C71, 73, 75, 77, §697.7; C79, 81, §712.8]

Iowa Code § 712.9 Violations of individual rights — penalties.

712.9. Violations of individual rights — penalties. A violation of sections 712.3 through 712.8, which is also a hate crime as defined in section 729A.2, shall be classified and punished as an offense one degree higher than the underlying offense. 92 Acts, ch 1157, §4

Iowa Code § 712.10 Destructive device.

712.10. Destructive device. For purposes of this chapter, “destructive device” means the same as defined in section 101A.1. 2023 Acts, ch 12, §5, 8

Source: Iowa Legislature (legis.iowa.gov)URL: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=712&year=2026Fetched: 10/20/2026