Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Burlington, IA?

Short-term rentals ARE allowed in Burlington, Iowa, but the city currently does not appear to have specific short-term rental regulations separate from general rental housing requirements. Based on available information, operators must comply with general rental housing inspection and code requirements rather than specialized STR ordinances.

Important Note: This guide focuses on Burlington, Iowa (IA) - not Burlington, Vermont or Burlington, Ontario, Canada, which have different regulations that appeared in the search results but are not relevant to Iowa operations.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Burlington, IA

Business Setup Process

1. Acquire suitable property that meets Burlington's Housing Code requirements
2. Apply for rental inspection through the Community Development Department
3. Ensure compliance with all applicable building, safety, and zoning codes
4. Obtain required permits for any modifications or changes to the property
5. Maintain ongoing compliance with the city's rental inspection cycle (3-year inspections)

Initial Steps for Property Conversion

• Property Assessment: Verify the property meets Burlington's Housing Code minimum health and safety standards
• Permit Acquisition: Obtain necessary building permits for any renovations or modifications
• Insurance: Secure appropriate property and liability insurance for rental operations
• Registration: While no specific STR registration was found, maintain compliance with general rental requirements

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Rental Inspection Requirements

For New Rental Units:

• Rental Application (online or PDF)
• New Rental Inspection Request
• Completion of Inspection Summary Checklist

Documentation Needed:

• Property ownership verification
• Completed inspection application
• Compliance with Burlington Housing Code (Chapter 161)
• Safety equipment compliance (fire extinguishers, etc.)

Building Permits

Required for modifications:

• Building permits for structural changes
• Trade permits (Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical) as needed
• Fence, sign, or demolition permits if applicable

Safety and Compliance

• Fire safety equipment compliance
• Adherence to minimum housing standards
• Ongoing maintenance to code standards
• Emergency contact information posting (recommended)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Burlington, IA)

Rental Housing Code (Chapter 161)

• Establishes minimum health and safety standards
• Applies to all rental properties, including potential short-term rentals
• Regular inspection cycle: every 3 years
• Protects tenant welfare and public safety

Zoning Considerations

• Property must comply with existing zoning classifications
• Review Planning & Zoning requirements for your specific location
• Special use permits may be required depending on the property location

County-Level Regulations

No specific Des Moines County short-term rental regulations were identified in the available information. County regulations typically focus on broader zoning and land use issues.

State-Level Regulations (Iowa)

Iowa Landlord and Tenant Law (Ch. 562A)

• Governs landlord-tenant relationships
• Establishes minimum standards for rental properties
• May apply to short-term rental arrangements
• Available at: www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ico/chapter/562A.pdf

Iowa State Regulations

• Iowa has implemented some short-term rental regulations in larger cities like Des Moines
• Statewide guidelines allow local jurisdictions to craft specific regulations
• No statewide ban on short-term rentals

Contact Information for Local Authority

Burlington Community Development Department

Primary Contact

• Physical Address: 400 Washington Street, 1st Floor, Burlington, IA 52601
• Phone: 319-753-8120
• Email: General inquiries through website contact form

Rental Inspections Team

James Humphrey - Rental/Nuisance Inspector

• Email: humphreyj@burlingtoniowa.org
• Phone: 319-753-8175

Matt Amenell - Rental/Nuisance Inspector

• Email: amenellm@burlingtoniowa.org
• Phone: 319-753-8142

Matt Trexel - Rental/Nuisance Inspector

• Email: trexelm@burlingtoniowa.org
• Phone: 319-753-8139

Planning & Zoning

Angela Andon - City Planner II

• Email: andona@burlingtoniowa.org
• Phone: 319-753-8130

Project Coordination

Maddie Caston - Project Coordinator

• Email: castonm@burlingtoniowa.org
• Phone: 319-753-8131

Online Resources

• Building/Zoning Permit Portal: https://burlingtonia.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/burlingtonia
• Report a Nuisance: https://burlingtoniace.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/burlingtoniace

Important Links and Source Pages

City Resources

1. Burlington Rental Housing Page
2. Burlington Community Development
3. Burlington City Code - Chapter 161 Housing Code
4. New Rental Inspection Request
5. Rental Application (PDF)

State Resources

1. Iowa Code: Ch 562A Landlord and Tenant Law
2. Iowa Legal Aid - Summary of Landlord and Tenant Law

Federal Resources

1. HUD - Tenant Rights, Laws, and Protections (Iowa)

Regulatory Reference

1. Short-Term Rental Regulations by State (Proper Insurance)

Additional Considerations

Compliance Costs

• Rental Inspection Fees range from $150 (single unit) to $750 (10+ units), plus re-inspection fees
• Re-inspection Fee: $90.00 + $10 per unit
• No-Show Fee: $90.00 + $10 per unit

Insurance Requirements

• While not explicitly mandated, short-term rental operators should consider specialized insurance coverage
• Standard homeowner's or landlord policies may not adequately cover short-term rental activities
• Verify coverage with your insurance provider

Enforcement and Monitoring

• Regular 3-year inspection cycles for rental properties
• Complaint-driven enforcement possible through rental housing complaint forms
• Municipal code enforcement for nuisance issues

Disclaimer: This guide is based on available information and should be supplemented with direct consultation with Burlington Community Development officials for the most current and specific requirements. Regulations may change, and property-specific considerations may apply.