SF 2442 Iowa Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act relating to county zoning ordinances governing residential buildings.

This bill (SF 2442) limits county zoning boards' authority over residential construction in unincorporated areas. It prohibits counties from restricting the building or development of residential properties - defined as single-family homes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings (up to 12 units per building) - except for regulations necessary to protect life or property safety. Counties may no longer impose rules on residential construction for non-safety reasons, such as limiting building density or lot coverage. The law directly affects homeowners, developers, and county zoning boards in rural and unincorporated regions of Iowa. It updates existing zoning authority to prioritize construction access while maintaining safety-based regulations.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 23, 2026 Last action Mar 4, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

2915
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 3, 2026
D Democratic15
13 Nay 2
86% Nay
R Republican34
29 Yea 2 Nay 3
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, yeas 28, nays 16.
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced
Amendments S-5047 and S-5049 filed.
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report, approving bill.
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, placed on calendar.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.