Iowa Limits Local Rental Registration Authority

Iowa Code Section 364.3(12) provides that a city shall not adopt or enforce any ordinance imposing any registration or licensing system, registration or license fees, or safety or sanitary standards for rental manufactured or mobile homes unless the same requirements apply to other rental properties intended for human habitation. The same paragraph permits inspection fees and nuisance abatement. Iowa Code 562A.27A also limits how cities can use municipal infraction citations to evict tenants based on tenant conduct. The Iowa Supreme Court has invalidated several rental inspection and registration ordinances that reached beyond the limits of state law.

Discriminatory registration ordinances that single out manufactured homes or that exceed state law are unenforceable. Affected landlords may seek declaratory or injunctive relief. Cities may still issue notices for legitimate code violations.