Iowa City, IA Building Safety: Pest Control (2026)

Iowa City's pest-control framework combines a local rental housing code, state landlord-tenant law, and state pesticide regulation. The Iowa City Housing Code under Title 17 Chapter 5 of the City Code (https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/iowacityia/latest/iowacity_ia/0-0-0-15225) establishes minimum health and safety standards for rental dwellings, including the duty to maintain premises free of insect, rodent, and vermin infestations. The City adopts HUD Housing Quality Standards (24 CFR 882.109) as its Model Housing Code. Housing Inspection Services (https://www.icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/neighborhood-and-development-services/neighborhood-services/housing-inspection-services) inspects more than 8,800 rental units annually and investigates tenant complaints, with regular inspections set by city council resolution. Inspectors can require professional extermination at the owner's expense if infestation is documented and persistent. The Iowa Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act at Iowa Code Section 562A.15 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.pdf) makes the landlord responsible for maintaining all premises in a fit and habitable condition, which Iowa courts have interpreted to include extermination of insects and vermin in multi-unit rentals; tenants may carry some responsibility for pest issues attributable to their own conduct in single-family rentals. Commercial pesticide applications must be performed by a commercial applicator licensed under the Iowa Pesticide Act at Iowa Code Chapter 206 (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/206.pdf) and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship rules at IAC 21 Ch. 45. Homeowners may apply general-use pesticides on their own property without a license but must follow EPA label directions. Bed bug infestations in multi-unit rentals frequently trigger Title 17 enforcement plus civil disputes over allocation of extermination costs. Contact: Housing Inspection 319-356-5120.