Historic Preservation in Iowa (2026)
10 rules on the books across Iowa, 10 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Historic-Cultural Monuments
How buildings, sites, and trees are nominated and designated as Historic-Cultural Monuments, the protections that follow, and the demolition-stay process.
Ames
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Ames, Iowa, a building, structure or site can only be designated a historic landmark, the city's version…
Read full rule →Cedar Rapids
Significant RestrictionsCedar Rapids designates local historic districts and landmarks by City Council ordinance under Municipal Code Chapter…
Read full rule →Des Moines
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines requires a certificate of appropriateness before anyone alters, reconstructs, or demolishes the exterior of…
Read full rule →Dubuque
Significant RestrictionsThe City of Dubuque has formally designated the Julien Dubuque Monument, at the terminus of Monument Drive, a city…
Read full rule →Iowa City
Significant RestrictionsIowa City designates local historic landmarks by ordinance through the historic district overlay (OHD) zone. Any…
Read full rule →Sioux City
Significant RestrictionsSioux City designates historic landmarks and districts through Historic Preservation Commission review and City Council…
Read full rule →Story County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Story County, renovating or repurposing a building on the National Register of Historic Places, or a…
Read full rule →Waterloo
Significant RestrictionsTo become a protected historic landmark in the City of Waterloo, a building, structure, object or site must meet the…
Read full rule →Council Bluffs
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Council Bluffs, the Heritage Preservation Commission designates landmarks, landmark sites and historic…
Read full rule →Johnson County
Some RestrictionsJohnson County's Sensitive Areas Ordinance requires any development site with a historically significant structure or…
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