Ankeny, Iowa
Want to see how Ankeny compares to other top cities in Iowa? Explore all city regulations in Iowa. →
Ankeny, IA
Generally Investor Friendly
Local STR Agent
Local STR Agent
STR Regulations for Ankeny, Iowa
-
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
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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]
- 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).
- City of Ankeny
-
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]
- City of Ankeny
-
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)
- City of Ankeny, Community Development – Rental Housing
-
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.
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Ankeny?
Ankeny hosts earn a median $33,340/year with $199 ADR and 60% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $55,287+ per year.
See the full Ankeny market breakdown →Next step
Found a property in Ankeny?
Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.
Free brief
Get the free Ankeny STR Investment Brief
Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Ankeny, Iowa in one email.
Ankeny
Market Saturation Score
Photos of Ankeny
Overview of Ankeny
Ankeny (, ) is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States and a suburb of the state capital of Des Moines, as part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan statistical area. As of the 2020 census, the population of Ankeny was 67,887, making it the seventh most populous city in the state. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa. Currently, the city's incorporated area totals 29.14 square miles.
Want to know if a property in Ankeny is a good investment?
Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.