Housing

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SF 2378: A bill for an act relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts.

SF 2378 removes a requirement that allowed property owners to block zoning changes by submitting written protests. Specifically, it repeals a provision (Code 414.5) that let owners with 20% of affected property area or 20% of property within 200 feet file protests to stop zoning district changes unless approved by a 3/4 city council vote. The bill directly affects property owners who previously could use this written protest process to challenge zoning amendments. It eliminates the need for cities to seek 3/4 council approval when such protests are filed, streamlining the approval process for zoning changes. The change applies to all zoning district modifications, not just specific uses like shooting ranges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves property owner veto power on zoning changes, facilitating housing development approvals aligned with affordable housing policies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed · Iowa · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SF 412: A bill for an act relating to property law, including rent, rental agreements, notice requirements, and possession of property.

This bill (SF 412) updates Iowa's rental property laws to clarify notice requirements for landlords and tenants. It adds electronic mail as a valid method for serving rental notices, but only if both parties have separately agreed in writing (via an addendum to the rental agreement) and neither has revoked consent in writing. The bill also states that rental agreement terms violating these rules are unenforceable, and landlords who knowingly use prohibited terms may face penalties including up to three months' rent and attorney fees. These changes directly affect landlords and tenants in Iowa rental agreements involving notice delivery and prohibited terms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies notice requirements with tenant consent, making prohibited terms unenforceable and penalizing landlords who violate rules, strengthening tenant protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

signed · Iowa · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SF 2369: A bill for an act relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units.

This bill requires Iowa counties and cities to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or secondary home, on the same lot as a single-family residence in areas where single-family homes are permitted. It sets clear size limits: ADUs cannot exceed 1,000 square feet or 50% of the main home’s size (excluding unfinished basements), and defines "size" to exclude garages and decks. The bill also restricts local governments from banning ADUs solely due to historic preservation rules - ADUs in historic districts can only be limited if a commission documents they clash with the area’s historical character. This directly affects homeowners in single-family zones seeking to build or rent out secondary living spaces.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates ADU allowances to increase housing supply and affordability on single-family lots, directly advancing housing development goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2558: A bill for an act relating to the definition of public improvement for purposes of public construction bidding.

This bill amends Iowa's definition of "public improvement" to exclude two specific types of projects from standard public construction bidding requirements. It removes city utility equipment for electric generating projects (under Chapter 388) and the furnishing/installation of manufactured homes (including foundation work, anchoring, and utility connections) from the bidding rules. This means these projects will no longer be subject to the usual public bidding process, directly affecting city utilities and manufactured home providers. The change applies to relevant sections of Iowa law governing construction contracts and reporting.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts manufactured home installation from bidding, potentially reducing costs for affordable housing development.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 27, 2025

SF 645: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions, and extending the repeal date for the housing renewal pilot program.

SF 645 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds to support economic development programs in Iowa. It provides funding to the Economic Development Authority, Iowa Finance Authority, Department of Workforce Development, and the State Board of Regents and their institutions. The bill also extends the end date for the Housing Renewal Pilot Program, allowing it to continue operating beyond its originally scheduled termination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends Housing Renewal Pilot Program duration, ensuring continued funding and operation of housing initiative per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds Department of Workforce Development, which administers labor/employment programs like job training and unemployment services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Iowa · House Jun 6, 2025

HF 975: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the economic development authority and the Iowa finance authority including the strategic infrastructure program, brownfield, grayfield, and redevelopment tax credits, community attraction and tourism, vision Iowa, sports tourism marketing, the historic preservation tax credit, homelessness, the title guaranty board, arts and culture, and the Iowa reinvestment Act and including applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 975 amends multiple economic development and community programs in Iowa, affecting local governments, businesses, and residents participating in initiatives like brownfield redevelopment, historic preservation, tourism marketing, and homelessness services. It modifies tax credit programs for brownfields, grayfields, and historic preservation, adjusts funding for tourism and community attraction, and updates the Iowa Reinvestment Act. The bill also clarifies applicability and retroactive provisions for these programs. Signed into law by the Governor on June 6, 2025, it updates existing frameworks rather than creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax credit programs (brownfield, historic preservation, tourism) maintaining tax incentives that provide relief to businesses and communities, aligning with tax relief indicators.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly modifies homelessness services and updates tax credit programs for brownfield redevelopment, directly addressing housing stability and affordable housing initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed both · Iowa · House May 20, 2025

HF 1037: A bill for an act modifying economic development provisions relating to housing and residential development in urban renewal areas.

HF 1037 modifies economic development and urban renewal provisions to encourage housing development, affecting municipalities and housing developers. The bill expands the definition of "economic development" to include the provision of workforce housing and requires public bodies to consider workforce housing development policies. For housing projects in certain urban renewal areas, it caps the required amount of low and moderate-income housing at 20% of the original project cost. Additionally, the bill extends the period for collecting tax increment financing revenue for these specific projects to 20 fiscal years.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands 'economic development' to include workforce housing, requires public bodies to consider such policies, and encourages development while capping low-income requirements at 20% (still promoting housing access).92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Iowa · Senate May 15, 2025

SF 595: A bill for an act related to the regulation of construction, including state building codes, contractor licensing, and stormwater management requirements.

SF 595 updates Iowa's construction regulations by requiring state building code proposals to include cost impact reports on housing affordability. It prevents counties and cities from imposing additional fees or licensing requirements on licensed contractors (like plumbers and HVAC specialists) for work within their licensed scope. The bill also limits local governments from enforcing stricter stormwater management rules at construction sites than those initially approved in subdivision plans. These changes directly affect contractors, local governments, and homeowners through potential impacts on construction costs and regulatory processes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires cost impact reports on housing affordability and prevents local fees on contractors, reducing construction costs to support affordable housing development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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signed · Iowa · Senate May 1, 2025

SF 592: A bill for an act relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units.

This bill mandates that counties and cities in Iowa must allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on lots with single-family residences. It directly affects property owners by standardizing and simplifying the process of building ADUs, and local governments by limiting their regulatory authority. The legislation sets statewide parameters, such as allowing ADUs up to 1,000 square feet or 50% of the main house, whichever is larger. It prohibits local ordinances from imposing overly restrictive rules on aspects like design, parking, owner-occupancy, or separate utility connections. Furthermore, it requires local governments to approve compliant ADU permits without discretionary review, following the same timeline as single-family home permits.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates ADUs on single-family lots, increasing housing supply and supporting affordable housing development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing