Housing

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SF 2438: A bill for an act relating to city utilities including landlord notification, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2438 amends Iowa utility laws to require city utilities to automatically notify landlords when a tenant is 60 days delinquent on payments (removing the prior requirement for landlords to request this notice), and to provide at least 10 days' notice before disconnecting service. It expands acceptable methods for landlords to provide written notice that a property is rental housing (including online, email, or fax), exempting the property from liens for unpaid tenant-paid utility bills like water, sewage, or solid waste. Utilities may now require deposits up to 90 days for water/sewage services or 60 days for gas/electric, with deposits refunded when tenants move out. The bill directly affects landlords, tenants, and city utilities in Iowa.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 10-day notice before utility disconnection for tenants, strengthening tenant protections related to housing stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2341: A bill for an act establishing a partial exemption on property taxes for certain residential properties sold in disaster areas.

HF 2341 creates a partial property tax exemption for residential properties sold by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in areas declared major disaster zones by the president or state disaster emergencies by the governor. It applies specifically to properties sold to owners already receiving Iowa's homestead tax credit, providing a phased tax reduction over four years: 80% exemption in the first assessment year, 60% in the second, 40% in the third, and 20% in the fourth. The exemption expires after the fourth year, meaning homeowners pay full property tax starting in the fifth year. This bill directly affects HUD-sold homeowners in disaster-affected areas who qualify for the homestead tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides phased property tax exemption for disaster-area homeowners receiving homestead credit, reducing tax burden on qualifying residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for disaster-affected homeowners purchasing HUD properties, extending homestead credit benefits to reduce housing costs and support affordability in recovery zones.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

Track

passed · Iowa · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SF 2442: 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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves non-safety zoning barriers for residential development, enabling more housing supply (including small apartments) and increasing affordability potential.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

Track

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 24, 2026

HF 2659: A bill for an act establishing an affordable housing task force.

HF 2659 creates an Iowa affordable housing task force to study how state and local regulations impact housing costs. The task force will examine zoning, building codes, permitting processes, and funding mechanisms affecting affordable housing development, specifically looking at whether regulations provide public benefits proportional to their cost impact. It requires a diverse membership including state agency representatives, housing developers, local officials from cities and counties of varying sizes, housing nonprofits, and legislative members. The task force must submit a report with recommendations to reduce regulatory barriers by December 1, 2026, while maintaining public health and safety standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates affordable housing task force to study regulations affecting housing costs, aiming to identify public benefits vs. cost impacts to advance affordable housing policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 3, 2026

HF 2559: A bill for an act relating to the housing renewal pilot program, including repayments of interest and income, and recaptures or returns of financial assistance awards.

HF 2559 amends Iowa's housing renewal pilot program to redirect repayments (including interest, income from sales of ownership units, and recaptured funds) to the nonprofit Iowa affiliate managing the program, rather than to the state fund. It also changes the rule for inactive participants: if no project activity occurs within 12 months of a contract, the financial assistance award must be returned to the nonprofit affiliate for reuse, not to the state fund. The bill clarifies that homebuyers must have income at or below 120% of the area median income, occupy the home as their primary residence, and adhere to a five-year resale restriction preventing sales to higher-income buyers. These changes directly affect eligible participants, the nonprofit Iowa affiliate, and future housing assistance recipients under the program.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRedirects repayments to nonprofit housing affiliate instead of state fund, sustaining program funding and enabling continued housing development.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SF 2225: A bill for an act relating to property law, including rental properties, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, and actions relating to such properties, making penalties applicable, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill (SF 2225) sets new rules for landlords in rental properties, manufactured home communities, and mobile home parks. It limits when landlords can evict tenants (requiring serious violations or business reasons), mandates 180 days' written notice for rent increases, and caps late fees based on rent amount (e.g., $12/day max for rents under $700/month). Landlords must justify rent hikes above inflation with specific costs like repairs, property taxes, or utility expenses. The changes apply to new evictions and rent increases starting upon the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits evictions to serious violations/business reasons, mandates 180-day rent increase notice, caps late fees, and requires justification for rent hikes above inflation - directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

passed · Iowa · House Mar 12, 2026

HF 2698: A bill for an act relating to business entity-owned residential arrangements, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2698 regulates business entities that own residential properties (like apartment complexes or multi-unit homes) by requiring clear disclosure that buyers are purchasing an ownership interest in the business, not the property itself. It prohibits businesses from charging transfer fees for ownership interests, restricting sales based on discrimination, or forcing disputes to non-court forums. The law also bans businesses from taking actions that would violate Iowa’s civil rights laws (Chapter 216) if the interest were real estate, such as denying sales to qualified buyers. Violations are enforced under Iowa’s consumer fraud laws, allowing courts to issue injunctions or impose penalties. This directly affects residential property owners operating as businesses and their residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination in sales and requires civil rights compliance, protecting tenant rights in business-owned residential properties.90% confidence

Track

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

Sub-Topics Zoning

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

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Renters Zoning

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HSB 730: A bill for an act relating to rehabilitation projects and tax incentives under the workforce housing tax incentives program.

This bill (HSB 730) amends Iowa's workforce housing tax incentive program to specifically include rehabilitation projects. It defines a "rehabilitation project" as one rehabilitating dilapidated housing (with minimum unit requirements) for resale as primary residences, and sets aside $5 million annually for such projects - $2.5 million reserved for small cities. The bill increases the annual tax incentive cap from $35-$36.5 million to $40 million, limits total incentives per housing business to $1 million, and removes first-come, first-served allocation. It directly affects developers of workforce housing rehabilitation projects, particularly those in small cities seeking tax incentives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax incentive cap to $40M and allocates $5M annually for housing rehab projects, directly funding tax incentives under budget.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $5M annually for rehabilitating dilapidated housing under workforce program, increases tax incentive cap to $40M, directly advancing affordable housing through funding and program expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Property Taxes

Track