• Are STRs allowed in Ankeny? Yes—explicitly. Iowa law broadly prohibits cities from banning short‑term rentals or requiring separate STR permits/fees. Ankeny has no standalone STR ordinance. However, STRs must comply with the city’s standard rental registration/inspection program and general property codes (safety, sanitation, noise, zoning). Source: Iowa preemption rules summarized by RedAwning; WHO13 coverage; Ankeny rental housing program. [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa] [who13.com/news/iowans-offer-unique-vacation-rentals-as-cities-discuss-regulations/] [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing] [codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25514] [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3887]

• Business start-up steps

  1. Confirm zoning: In practice, Iowa treats STR use as residential land use, but confirm with Ankeny Planning that your property’s zoning allows transient lodging and any district‑specific conditions (e.g., owner/tenant occupancy rules). [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
  2. Register with the City of Ankeny under the Rental Housing program and schedule inspections. Apply through the online portal. [ankenyonestop.ankenyiowa.gov] [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2574] [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing]
  3. Obtain all required licenses/permits for general rental housing (no separate STR permit is required by Ankeny). [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing] [codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25514]
  4. Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue and set up tax remittance (5% state hotel/motel tax; local hotel/motel tax also applies; confirm the Ankeny/local rate with the Iowa DOR). [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
  5. Add STR platforms (Airbnb/VRBO), collect and remit lodging taxes, and incorporate Iowa’s 5% sales tax on platform fees if applicable. [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
  6. Comply with health/safety, fire, and building codes; maintain the property to meet the Property Maintenance and Housing Code. [codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25514] [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
  7. Establish operations: occupancy limits (check code), noise controls, parking instructions, emergency contact posting, and rental documents (house rules, cancellation, etc.). [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
  8. Complete the first inspection, receive/certificate, and re‑register as required for subsequent cycles.

• Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • City of Ankeny
    • Rental Housing Registration (and Renewal) [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/349/Rental-Housing-Registration-Form-PDF]
    • Rental Housing Inspection (use the official checklist for all rental units) [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/348/Rental-Housing-Inspection-Checklist-PDF]
    • Property Maintenance and Housing Code (Municipal Code Chapter 177) [codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25514]
    • 2024 Ankeny Property Maintenance and Housing Code (Ordinance 2219, effective July 1, 2025) [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3887]
    • Affidavit for Bedroom in Basement (if applicable) [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/351/Affidavit-for-Bedroom-in-Basement-PDF]
    • Tenant Complaint Form (to track and respond to issues) [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/350/Tenant-Complaint-Form-PDF]
    • Online portal for rental certificate [ankenyonestop.ankenyiowa.gov]
  • State of Iowa (hotel/motel and sales tax requirements)
    • 5% state hotel/motel tax remittance (set up an account with Iowa Department of Revenue).
    • Local hotel/motel tax remittance (confirm Ankeny/local rate with Iowa DOR).
    • Platform fee sales tax, if applicable under Iowa law (coordinate with tax professional).

• Specific regulations: Ankeny (city), Polk County (county), Iowa (state)

  • City of Ankeny
    • No dedicated STR ordinance; STRs must follow general property codes and the city’s rental housing program. [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa] [who13.com/news/iowans-offer-unique-vacation-rentals-as-cities-discuss-regulations/]
    • Rental registration and inspections every two years for single‑family rentals, duplexes, and multi‑family units. [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing]
    • Compliance with Property Maintenance and Housing Code (Municipal Code Chapter 177). [codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25514] [www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3887]
    • Zoning: In Iowa, STRs are classified as residential land use, but Ankeny may enforce local zoning and district conditions (e.g., owner/tenant occupancy in some districts). [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
    • Emergency contact requirements, public health/safety, sanitation, noise, and nuisance enforcement may apply (e.g., posting emergency contact details). [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
  • Polk County
    • As of 2019 reporting, unincorporated Polk County had no STR restrictions; however, check current county rules (note: Ankeny is a city; Ankeny‑area STRs inside Ankeny city limits are governed by city codes). [who13.com/news/iowans-offer-unique-vacation-rentals-as-cities-discuss-regulations/]
  • State of Iowa (preemption and taxation)
    • Iowa law limits municipalities from prohibiting STRs or requiring separate STR permits/fees; regulation must be applied the same as for similar non‑STR properties. [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
    • 5% state hotel/motel tax on transient lodging; local hotel/motel tax applies as well; hosts must file returns. [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]

• Contact information

  • City of Ankeny, Community Development – Rental Housing
    • Phone: 515‑965‑6400 (City of Ankeny main line) [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing]
    • Email: RentalHousing@AnkenyIowa.gov [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing]
    • Rental certificate online portal: ankenyonestop.ankenyiowa.gov [ankenyonestop.ankenyiowa.gov]
    • Mailing address: City of Ankeny, 410 W. First Street, Ankeny, IA 50023 [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing]
  • Iowa Department of Revenue (lodging tax registration/returns)
    • Website: tax.iowa.gov (general)
    • Iowa sales tax hotline: 515‑281‑3115 [tax.iowa.gov/contact] (for tax questions; confirm current Iowa hotel/motel and sales tax guidance)

• Source links

  • Ankeny Rental Housing: www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing
  • Ankeny Municipal Code Chapter 177: codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25514
  • 2024 Ankeny Property Maintenance and Housing Code (PDF): www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3887
  • Rental Housing Registration Form (PDF): www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/349/Rental-Housing-Registration-Form-PDF
  • Rental Housing Inspection Checklist (PDF): www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/348/Rental-Housing-Inspection-Checklist-PDF
  • Affidavit for Bedroom in Basement (PDF): www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/351/Affidavit-for-Bedroom-in-Basement-PDF
  • Tenant Complaint Form (PDF): www.ankenyiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/350/Tenant-Complaint-Form-PDF
  • Ankeny rental certificate online portal: ankenyonestop.ankenyiowa.gov
  • RedAwning Ankeny STR market overview (state preemption and general rules): www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa
  • WHO13 news report (metro context and pre‑2019 city references): who13.com/news/iowans-offer-unique-vacation-rentals-as-cities-discuss-regulations/
  • Iowa Department of Revenue general website: tax.iowa.gov
  • Iowa Department of Revenue contact page: tax.iowa.gov/contact

Notes and practical guidance

• Ankeny’s STR stance is permissive because Iowa preempts local bans and separate STR permitting. That said, you must still follow Ankeny’s rental registration and inspection regime for every unit you operate. [www.ankenyiowa.gov/201/Rental-Housing] [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]
• Expect to collect and remit Iowa’s 5% hotel/motel tax plus any local hotel/motel tax. Confirm the local rate (Ankeny or Polk County, depending on jurisdiction) with the Iowa Department of Revenue. [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa] [tax.iowa.gov/contact]
• Operationally, enforce quiet hours, parking rules, and property maintenance to avoid nuisance enforcement (noise, sanitation, and building safety). [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa] [codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ankeny/latest/ankeny_ia/0-0-0-25514]
• Maintain documentation: inspections, registration, house rules, guest communications, and all tax filings. If a specific zoning condition (owner/tenant occupancy) applies to your district, embed it in your listing and guest agreement. [www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/ankeny-iowa]

If any of the above points need confirmation (e.g., occupancy limits, local lodging tax rate), contact the City of Ankeny and the Iowa Department of Revenue using the provided details.