This bill mandates that counties and cities in Iowa must permit at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the same lot as a single-family residence, subject to specific conditions. The ADU must comply with applicable building regulations, cannot exceed 1,000 square feet or 50% of the size of the primary residence (whichever is larger), and can only be restricted by state historic building codes, deed restrictions, or common interest community rules. Additionally, if a manufactured or mobile home is used as an ADU, it must be converted to real property on a permanent foundation and assessed for real estate taxes.

The bill also prohibits counties and cities from imposing various limitations on ADUs that are more restrictive than those for single-family residences, including regulations on appearance, rental use, parking requirements, and occupancy restrictions. It requires that permit applications for ADUs be approved without discretionary review and within the same timeframe as single-family residence approvals. Any conflicting local ordinances are rendered void, although more permissive regulations are allowed. The definitions of accessory dwelling unit, dwelling unit, and single-family residence are also clarified within the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 331.301, 103A.43