Housing

died · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2026

HF 2252: A bill for an act relating to county and city regulation of accessory dwelling units.

HF 2252 requires Iowa counties and cities to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU), like a backyard cottage or basement apartment, on single-family residential lots where such homes are permitted. The bill sets size limits (max 1,000 square feet or 50% of the main house, excluding unfinished basements) and prohibits local governments from imposing stricter rules on ADUs in communities with shared ownership (like condos) than on standard single-family homes. It also modifies historic district regulations, requiring preservation commissions to formally justify any ADU restrictions based on historical significance. This directly affects homeowners seeking to build ADUs, local zoning authorities, and historic preservation boards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates ADU allowances on single-family lots, increasing housing options and affordability without new construction, directly advancing housing development goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Zoning

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SSB 3034: A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, budgets, and authority, by modifying provisions relating to the assessment and taxation of property, funding from the secure an advanced vision for education fund, the election of certain county officers, urban renewal areas and urban revitalization areas, establishing a rent reimbursement program, establishing a program for certain first-time homebuyers, establishing a local government shared-services grant fund, making appropriations, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.

SSB 3034 establishes new limits on local government property tax levies and reserve funds for budgets certified after July 1, 2027. It caps the maximum property tax levy at 102% of the prior year's total plus new valuation growth (from construction, boundary changes, etc.), and restricts unassigned general fund reserves to no more than 10% of budgeted expenditures. These rules apply to cities, counties, and other local governments (excluding school districts), with the Department of Management overseeing compliance. The bill also modifies audit requirements to verify adherence to these financial limits.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps local property tax levies at 102% of prior year + new growth and restricts unassigned reserves to ≤10% of budgeted expenditures, limiting fiscal flexibility.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes rent reimbursement program and first-time homebuyer program, directly funding housing assistance and affordability initiatives per bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget Property Taxes Renters

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SF 2024: A bill for an act relating to local government by modifying property tax credits and rent reimbursements, provisions governing abandoned mobile homes and personal property in rural areas, and tax sales.

This bill modifies Iowa's property tax credit system for low-income elderly and disabled residents, ensuring timely annual payments for property taxes or rent reimbursements. It streamlines the removal of abandoned mobile homes on rural property by allowing landowners or mobile home park operators to remove "valueless homes" (defined as abandoned homes with no market value) without court orders, requiring only 10 days' written notice to the county treasurer. The bill also updates tax sale rules to prevent splits or consolidations of land parcels during redemption periods or with unpaid taxes. These changes directly affect rural property owners, mobile home park operators, and low-income homeowners/renters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies property tax credits for low-income elderly/disabled, ensuring timely payments - provides tax relief per indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies property tax credits for low-income elderly/disabled, ensuring rent reimbursement payments, directly supporting affordable housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SSB 3070: 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) - a secondary home on the same lot as a primary residence - in zoning districts where single-family homes are permitted. It sets size limits (max 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the main house size, excluding unfinished basements, garages, decks, and unheated porches) and restricts local governments from banning ADUs solely due to historic preservation rules unless a commission documents specific historical incompatibility. Homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments creating zoning rules are directly affected. The bill clarifies that historic district restrictions must be justified by a commission’s written determination, replacing prior broad exemptions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates ADUs in single-family zones, increasing housing supply and affordability while removing local barriers to development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Zoning

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2091: A bill for an act relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts.

This bill repeals a provision (Code section 414.5) that allowed property owners to submit written protests against proposed zoning district changes. Specifically, it removes the requirement that city councils must obtain a 3/4 vote to approve zoning changes if 20% of affected property owners file a written protest before a public hearing. The bill directly affects property owners who previously could challenge zoning changes through this protest mechanism. It eliminates this specific procedural step, meaning zoning changes would no longer require the 3/4 council vote if a protest is filed. The bill does not change other zoning approval processes, such as the requirement for shooting range modifications.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes property owner protest requirement for zoning changes, facilitating faster approval of housing developments and aligning with housing supply goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 4, 2026

HF 2223: A bill for an act relating to local and state government finances by modifying provisions relating to homestead property tax credits, providing a residential property tax rebate, modifying provisions relating to retirement systems, making appropriations, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2223 creates a new residential property tax rebate program for Iowa homeowners, funded from the taxpayer relief fund, applicable to property taxes due in fiscal years 2026-2027. It modifies existing homestead tax credit rules to expand eligibility for elderly and disabled residents (ages 65+ with income under 250% of federal poverty level) and adds a new credit calculation method for homes where property value didn’t increase due to improvements. The bill also adjusts how homestead credits are calculated, covering up to $14,550 of a home’s value, and sets the effective date for most changes as July 1, 2027. These provisions directly affect Iowa homeowners, particularly seniors and low-income residents, by providing potential tax relief through modified credits and a new rebate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax rebate for homeowners, expands homestead credit eligibility for elderly/disabled under 250% poverty level, funded from taxpayer relief fund.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides residential property tax rebate for homeowners, expands homestead credit eligibility for elderly/disabled (income <250% FPL), reducing housing costs for vulnerable groups.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 29, 2026

HSB 563: A bill for an act relating to state and local government taxes, budgets, and authority, by modifying provisions relating to the assessment and taxation of property, funding from the secure an advanced vision for education fund, the election of certain county officers, urban renewal areas and urban revitalization areas, establishing a rent reimbursement program, establishing a program for certain first-time homebuyers, establishing a local government shared-services grant fund, making appropriations, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.

This bill establishes new limits on local government property tax collections and reserve funds. It requires cities, counties, and other local entities (excluding school districts) to cap unassigned general fund reserves at 10% of budgeted spending and sets a maximum property tax levy at 102% of the prior year's total plus new property valuation growth. These rules apply to budgets certified for fiscal years beginning July 1, 2027, and will be verified through annual audits. The bill also modifies related tax assessment, budgeting, and reporting requirements for local governments.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesImposes caps on property tax levies (102% of prior year + growth) and reserve limits (10% of budget), restricting local government fiscal flexibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly establishes rent reimbursement and first-time homebuyer programs, directly funding housing assistance and protections per summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2148: A bill for an act eliminating the Iowa smart planning principles and other local comprehensive planning and development guidelines.

HF 2148 eliminates Iowa's "smart planning principles" by repealing Chapter 18B of the Iowa Code, which previously required local governments to consider 10 specific planning guidelines in their comprehensive plans and zoning decisions. This bill directly affects cities and counties across Iowa, removing a mandatory requirement to incorporate these principles when developing or updating land-use plans, zoning regulations, or infrastructure projects. Key provisions include deleting references to the smart planning principles from multiple sections of Iowa law and repealing the foundational sections (18B.1 and 18B.2) that mandated their use. As a result, local governments will no longer need to formally consider these specific principles during planning processes, shifting planning authority to local discretion without state-mandated guidelines.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRepealing mandatory smart planning principles removes requirements for local governments to consider housing development guidelines in zoning, weakening housing policy frameworks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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died · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2026

HF 2062: A bill for an act relating to the ability of property owners to protest proposed changes in zoning districts.

HF 2062 repeals a provision that allowed property owners to challenge proposed zoning changes by filing a written protest signed by owners of 20% of the affected area or within 200 feet of the property. Currently, such a protest would require a city council to approve the change with a 3/4 majority vote. This bill removes that requirement, meaning zoning changes would no longer need the higher vote threshold if a protest is filed. The change directly affects property owners in areas where zoning district modifications are proposed, eliminating their ability to block such changes through this specific process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes 3/4 vote requirement for zoning changes, facilitating easier approval of development projects and advancing housing development by reducing property owner obstruction.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HSB 618: 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) on a lot with a single-family home in permitted zoning areas. ADUs must not exceed 1,000 square feet or 50% of the main house's size (whichever is larger), excluding unfinished basements, and cannot face stricter rules in common interest communities than for single-family homes. Local governments may only restrict ADUs in historic districts if a commission determines they conflict with the area's historical character and records the justification. Additionally, manufactured homes used as ADUs must be placed on a permanent foundation and taxed as real property.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates local governments to permit ADUs, increasing housing options and affordability without restrictive rules, directly advancing housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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