Linn County's Unified Development Code (Chapter 107) does not set a short-term-rental-specific occupancy cap in unincorporated areas. Iowa Code Section 414.1 (HF 2641, 2020) bars counties from imposing STR-only occupancy rules, but Linn County may still enforce general residential occupancy limits and the Iowa State Building Code (Iowa Admin. Code 661-301) for health and safety.
Iowa Code Section 414.1, enacted through HF 2641 in 2020, requires counties to classify short-term rental property as a residential land use and prohibits regulations that single out STRs unless they apply equally to other comparable residential uses. Linn County's Unified Development Code (Chapter 107 of the Code of Ordinances), administered by the Linn County Planning & Development Department (319-892-5130), does not contain an STR-specific maximum-guest provision in unincorporated areas. The general baseline most operators rely on is the residential bedroom-based rule of thumb of two persons per bedroom plus two additional occupants, drawn from the International Residential Code adopted statewide through Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 661-301. Sleeping rooms must meet the IRC minimum of 70 square feet for one occupant and 50 square feet per occupant when shared, plus emergency-egress window requirements. Septic-system capacity in unincorporated areas can also limit practical occupancy under Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 567-69 (private sewage disposal). Linn County retains authority under Iowa Code Section 414.1 to enforce noise, nuisance, and public-safety rules that apply uniformly to all dwellings.
Overcrowding that violates the adopted Iowa State Building Code or creates a public-nuisance condition can be cited by the Linn County Building Division and Planning & Development Department. Penalties follow Linn County Code Chapter 107 enforcement provisions, including notices of violation, abatement orders, and civil penalties pursued through the Linn County Attorney.
Linn County, IA
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Linn County, IA
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Linn County, IA
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Linn County, IA
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Linn County, IA
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Linn County, IA
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