Bills › 91st General Assembly

Relating to county zoning ordinances governing residential buildings

Topics:Housing & propertyCities & counties

Same legislation: SF 2442

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedFebruary 11, 2026
  2. Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 11, 2026
  3. Done: Senate committeeFebruary 19, 2026
  4. Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 2442
  5. Next: House committee
  6. Next: Passes the House
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Became SF 2442 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2442 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary County boards of supervisors would no longer be allowed to restrict how people build or develop residential buildings. Any rules they make about homes, apartments, or townhouses must be necessary to keep people or property safe. This change affects how counties manage land and buildings in areas that are not part of a city.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to county zoning ordinances that govern residential buildings. _____ and the location and use of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes, and may regulate, restrict, and prohibit the use for residential purposes of tents, trailers, and portable or potentially portable structures. This authority is limited to land and structures in the unincorporated area of the county. The bill provides that a county board of supervisors cannot restrict the construction or development of residential buildings, and that any regulation of residential buildings must be necessary for the safety of life or property. “Residential property”, for purposes of the bill, means any single or multifamily residential dwelling and includes single-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses, condominiums and apartments with a maximum of units per building, and all secondary structures to such a single or multifamily residential dwelling.

Full bill text2

Senate subcommittee

Named February 11, 2026. On February 16, 2026 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

1 written public comment to its subcommittee: February 16, 2026 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Iowa Code it changes

Amends§335.3

How the Code works3

Lobbying

3 for · 8 against · 13 undecided · Who →

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