Iowa City requires every residential rental dwelling to hold a Rental Permit under City Code Title 17 Chapter 5. Section 17-5-16 conditions issuance on a passing structure-compliance inspection. Housing Inspection Services in Neighborhood and Development Services administers the program.
Iowa City Code Title 17 Chapter 5 is one of Iowa's most comprehensive municipal rental-housing regimes. Section 17-5-16 requires every owner or operator of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, or Type III dwelling unit let for rent to obtain a Certificate of Structure Compliance and Rental Permit before tenancy begins. The permit is issued periodically by Housing Inspection Services and is contingent on passing a structure-compliance inspection. Section 17-5-19 ties maximum occupancy to the zoning ordinance — the prior cap on more than three unrelated occupants was modified after Iowa state legislation effective January 1, 2018 limited city authority to regulate occupancy based on familial relationship.
Renting without a current Iowa City rental permit, refusing scheduled inspection, missing a Notice of Violation deadline, or exceeding the zoning occupancy limit violates Title 17 Chapter 5. Municipal infractions carry escalating fines and possible permit revocation under section 17-5-16.
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Iowa City, IA
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