Ankeny, IA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

The City of Ankeny adopts the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code as the Ankeny Property Maintenance and Housing Code under Code of Ordinances Section 177.02, then locally amends specific IPMC sections to fix the physical habitability floor for every rental dwelling in the city. Room area is set at 120 square feet for a living room and 70 square feet for a bedroom under Section 177.15, amending IPMC Section 404.4.1, and the bedroom minimum rises by 50 square feet for each occupant beyond two. Heat supply and occupiable work-space temperature requirements apply from September 15 through May 15 each year under Sections 177.16 and 177.17, amending IPMC Sections 602.3 and 602.4, so a landlord who lets a furnace sit idle inside that window is out of compliance.

Electrical coverage is set out in Section 177.18: two remote receptacle outlets per habitable room, a grounded or GFCI laundry outlet, GFCI protection in every bathroom, and GFCI protection on any 125-volt 15- or 20-amp outlet within six feet of a sink, tub or shower in a rental unit. Section 102.12.2 extends the housing code to all rental dwellings, including short-term rentals of 30 days or less under Iowa Code Chapter 423A, while exempting owner-occupied duplexes, single-family homes occupied by immediate family, state-inspected transient shelters and government-owned housing.

The Ankeny Department of Building Safety and the Community Development Department administer these standards, and Section 102.12.15 makes a violation of the chapter a municipal infraction under Chapter 4.