Housing

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

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

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

signed · Iowa · House Jun 6, 2025

HF 876: A bill for an act providing for the disclosure of lead service lines in real estate disclosures and including effective date provisions.

HF 876 requires sellers to disclose whether a property has lead service lines (pipes carrying water) as part of standard real estate disclosure forms. This directly affects home buyers and sellers in Minnesota during property transactions. The bill adds specific language to existing disclosure documents to ensure buyers are informed about potential lead pipe risks before purchasing. It became law after passing unanimously in both chambers and receiving the Governor's signature on June 6, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires lead pipe disclosure in real estate transactions, enhancing buyer safety and transparency in housing purchases per Minnesota law.85% 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

Track

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