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

City Code section 14-1J-1 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 edition, as the Dubuque Property Maintenance Code, "providing the standards for supplied utilities, facilities, and other physical things and conditions essential to ensuring that structures are safe, sanitary, and fit for occupancy and use," including condemnation of unfit structures. Section 14-1J-2 amends the enforcement mechanics: the Inspection & Construction Services Division, headed by the code official under amended Section 103.1, implements and enforces the code, and unpaid fees, fines, or penalties become a lien on the property under amended Section 104.1 after notice by first-class mail.

Amended Section 109.5 creates an escrow system under authority of Iowa Code 364.17: "No rent shall be recoverable by the owner, the owner's authorized agent, or the lessor of any dwelling which does not comply with the codes applicable to residential rental housing in the City of Dubuque until such time as the dwelling does comply with the applicable codes." Once an escrow order issues by certified mail, the effective date is 14 days out, and tenants must pay rent to the City instead of the landlord, who cannot recover it from the tenant while the order is in force; if other correction methods fail, the code official may contract to fix the violations and bill the owner or draw on the escrowed funds, with a first lienholder able to limit escrow collection to the amount above their monthly mortgage payment. Owners, agents, or lienholders may appeal an escrow order.