Housing

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

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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

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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

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2307: A bill for an act establishing the criminal offense of felony rental vandalism, addressing state supplementary assistance, and providing penalties.

SF 2307 establishes "felony rental vandalism" for tenants or occupants who cause over $1,000 in damage to rental properties through criminal mischief or intentional pest infestations. It classifies this as a felony, requiring courts to notify health and human services departments of convictions. The bill blocks eligibility for state supplementary assistance (like housing aid) until the offender pays full restitution to the landlord or completes jail time, except for child assistance or emergency medical aid. It also extends this ineligibility to federal housing assistance under Section 8 of the Housing Act, where federal law permits, without risking state funding loss.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies rental vandalism as felony, expands criminalization, and blocks state assistance eligibility, increasing penalties.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBlocks housing assistance eligibility for tenants convicted of felony vandalism, restricting access to aid and weakening tenant protections through punitive measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Landlords Tenant Rights

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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

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died · Iowa · House Apr 8, 2026

HF 2636: A bill for an act relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts.

This bill (HF 2636) changes Iowa's zoning rules to make it harder for cities to change land use districts. It requires property owners within 200 feet of a proposed change to collectively sign a written protest representing 20% of the affected property's area before a public hearing. If such a protest is filed, the city council must then vote by a two-thirds majority (instead of three-fourths) to approve the zoning change. The bill directly affects nearby property owners who can block changes and city councils that must follow the new voting threshold. It aims to give more local property owners influence over zoning decisions.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill requires property owner protests to block zoning changes, making it harder to approve new housing developments and thus limiting housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SSB 3128: A bill for an act relating to city utilities including tenant notification.

This bill (SSB 3128) creates a lien exemption for residential rental properties where tenants pay utility charges (sewer, storm water, waste, gas, electric) directly to the city. It requires landlords to provide written notice to the city utility confirming the property is rental and the tenant is liable for charges, or allows tenants to provide this notice if the landlord has an active rental license. The bill sets limits on required deposits (up to 90 days for some utilities, 60 days for gas/electric) and mandates the city return deposits if all charges are paid in full when tenants move out. It applies directly to tenants in rental housing and city utilities managing these services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill clarifies tenant utility responsibility and limits deposits, protecting tenants from excessive charges and ensuring transparency in rental housing, strengthening tenant protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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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

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2026

HF 2312: A bill for an act establishing an affordable housing task force.

HF 2312 creates an affordable housing task force to study state and local regulations that increase housing costs, focusing on zoning, building codes, permitting processes, and funding mechanisms. The task force, composed of agency representatives, housing developers, city/county officials, and legislators, will examine how these rules impact affordability while balancing public health and safety. It must submit a report by December 1, 2026, with recommendations to reduce regulatory barriers for affordable housing development. The bill directly affects housing developers, local governments, and state agencies by requiring them to participate in this review process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates task force to study and reduce regulatory barriers (zoning, codes) increasing housing costs, aiming to improve affordability through recommendations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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