Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Indianola, IA. The city’s zoning code expressly lists “short-term rental” as a permitted use in multiple zoning districts—specifically the Agricultural/Open Space (A-1), Single-Family Residential Detached (R-1), Single-Family Residential Attached (R-2), Multi-Family Residential (R-3), and Manufactured Home Park (R-4) districts. See the “Use Matrix” in Section 4 of Chapter 165 (Residential Zoning Districts) and the “Use Table” (short-term rental rows). Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12542

However, short-term rentals are treated as “residential rental property” and are subject to the City’s Residential Rental Code (Chapter 147), which requires registration, inspection, and ongoing compliance. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

Local definition note: Under Chapter 147.04, “Tenant/Occupant” means any individual residing in a rental dwelling unit or having possession of a space within a rental dwelling; “Transient shelters” are units providing temporary residence for 31 days or less and are excepted from the residential rental code, but short-term rentals (as a permitted zoning use) are subject to the code unless another licensing/occupancy exception applies. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

Key implications:

• Zoning compliance: Short-term rentals are permitted in A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 (subject to all other zoning bulk/density and building design standards).
• Residential rental code compliance: A valid rental inspection certificate is mandatory, and properties must pass inspection on a 2-year cycle.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Indianola

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Identify your property’s zoning district on the official zoning map (not provided here) and verify that short-term rental is a permitted use in that district (allowed in A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4).
• Comply with all bulk/density, setback, height, and building design standards for your zoning district. See Chapter 165 zoning district regulations. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12542

2. Complete residential rental registration and obtain a Rental Inspection Certificate

• Submit a rental registration application on forms provided by the Community Development Department (required before renting).
• Owner/agent contact information is required:
  • If owner resides in Warren County or a contiguous county: provide mailing address, phone, fax, and email.
  • If owner resides elsewhere: designate an agent aged 18+ residing in Warren County or a contiguous county for inspections, notices, and service of process.
• Pay applicable registration and certificate fees as determined by City Council resolution.
• Pass inspection by the City for compliance with Chapter 147 and Chapter 154 (Property Maintenance Code) standards.
• Obtain a rental inspection certificate, which must be available for examination by tenants and code enforcement at all times. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

3. Prepare for the inspection

• Schedule an appointment through the Community Development Department (minimum one business day notice required). The City may request rescheduling.
• Arrange access to all portions of the building. You must notify tenants per Iowa Code 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Law). Failure to provide tenant notice results in reinspection. Without access to all portions of the building, a certificate cannot be issued.
• The City’s inspection program targets every residential rental within the city every 2 years. Factors affecting inspection frequency include property age/condition, complaint history, and owner compliance. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

4. Maintain compliance and manage ongoing obligations

• Certificate duration: 2 years. Renewal includes inspection; failure to renew within 30 days of expiration results in revocation.
• Transfer of ownership: New owner must notify the Community Development Department within 96 hours of conveyance; re-register within 30 days at no cost to retain the certificate; otherwise, the certificate is suspended/revoked.
• Manage violations: The City may issue notices of violation; rent is not recoverable for periods of noncompliance; corrections are required within reasonable time frames.
• Maintain building standards under the International Property Maintenance Code (2018), as locally amended in Chapter 154, including mold/dampness control, lead paint requirements, radon testing on tenant request, asbestos management, building openings sealing, egress/security measures, fire safety, pest management, lighting/switch placement, air filters (MERV-8), exhaust fan placement, and seasonal heating requirements. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

5. Track and respond to tenant complaints

• Tenants should first submit written complaints to the owner/agent. The owner/agent has 7 days to address the complaint.
• If not remedied within 7 days or if the complaint involves significant health/safety/welfare issues, the Code Enforcement Officer will schedule an inspection with both parties.
• No retaliation in the form of eviction or removal/discontinuation of required services is permitted. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

6. Prepare for renewal and potential inspections

• Proactively manage inspection scheduling, fee payments, and timely renewal to avoid suspension/revocation.
• Consider HUD UPCS inspection reports (annual) as a basis for the City’s certificate if submitted; the Code Enforcement Officer may issue a certificate based on those reports. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City of Indianola Residential Rental Code (Chapter 147) – governs rental registration, inspections, certificate duration/renewal, violations/penalties, appeals, variances, and enforcement. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• City of Indianola Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 154), adopting International Property Maintenance Code (2018) with local amendments – sets building maintenance standards, safety, and habitability requirements. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• Residential rental registration application – forms provided by the Community Development Department; includes owner/agent information and contact details per 147.07. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• Rental inspection certificate – required to rent any dwelling unit; must be posted/available. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• Proof of owner/agent compliance – owner contact info (Warren or contiguous county), or designated agent contact info (Warren or contiguous county). Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• Fees – registration and rental housing certificate fees as set by City Council resolution. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• Zoning compliance – evidence the property’s zoning allows short-term rental (A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4); compliance with bulk/density standards in Chapter 165. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12542
• Optional: HUD UPCS inspection report (annual) – if the owner/agent submits a valid report, the City may issue a certificate based on that report. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

Notes:

• Owner-occupied single-family dwellings are exempt from the residential rental code (but not from zoning).
• Hotels, motels, extended stay hotels, and transient shelters (≤31 days) are subject to state licensing and excluded from Chapter 147, but short-term rentals operating as residential rentals must comply.
• Property maintenance specifics include mold/dampness control (301.4), methamphetamine decontamination (301.5), grass height standards (302.4), building security after tenancy changes (304.18.4), building openings sealing (304.20), lead paint renovation requirements (305.7), asbestos management (305.8), radon testing on tenant request (305.9), formaldehyde emissions and VOC standards (305.10), pest management (309.6), lighting/switch placement (402.4), air filters (403.6), exhaust fans (403.7), air sealing between units (403.8), watertight seals in wet areas (503.5), heating/ventilation equipment provisions (601.3–601.4), seasonal heat dates (602.3–602.4), protective covers/barriers (602.6), wood stove compliance (602.7), and fire safety/egress (702.5). Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Indianola, Warren County, and Iowa

City of Indianola

• Permitted use: Short-term rentals are a permitted use in A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 zoning districts (subject to building bulk/density/design standards). Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12542
• Residential Rental Code (Chapter 147):
  • Registration and rental inspection certificate required before renting any dwelling unit.
  • Certificate valid for 2 years; renewals include inspection; late renewal results in revocation.
  • Transfer of ownership: new owner must notify the City within 96 hours; re-register within 30 days or certificate is suspended/revoked.
  • New construction with Certificate of Occupancy is exempt from inspection for 2 years but must register.
  • Inspections typically biennial; scheduling requires 1 business day notice; owner must notify tenants per Iowa law; the City may reschedule.
  • Certificate revocation/suspension for violations and outstanding fees/fines.
  • Withholding/denial of certificates for outstanding fees/fines on any city rental property.
  • Rent cannot be recovered for noncompliant periods until a valid certificate is issued.
  • Appeals: Board of Adjustment (60 days to file; fee applies).
  • Variances: Board of Adjustment may grant due to hardship/physical conditions.
  • Enforcement tools include notices of violation, fines (per Chapter 4), orders to correct, and administrative search warrants for refusals of inspection.
• Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 154; IMPC 2018 with local amendments):
  • Habitability, health, and safety standards: mold/dampness, methamphetamine decontamination, grass height, building security after tenancy changes, lead paint, asbestos, radon testing on request, formaldehyde/VOC standards, pest management, lighting/switch placement, MERV-8 filters, exhaust placement, air sealing, watertight seals in wet areas, heating/ventilation provisions, seasonal heat requirements, wood stove compliance, and fire safety/egress.
• Complaints: Written complaints to owner/agent; 7-day response; escalation to inspection for significant health/safety/welfare issues; no retaliation permitted.
• Zoning standards (Chapter 165):
  • Building bulk/density, setbacks, height, open space, and mixed-use requirements (e.g., C-3 allows upper-story residential; minimum building height in C-3 is 28 ft).
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): allowed subject to owner-occupancy, unit size limits (≤800 sq ft or ≤80% of principal dwelling), single bedroom, full kitchen/bath, and compliance with setback and design standards.

Warren County

• No county-specific STR regulations were provided in the source documents. Investors should confirm any county-level health, safety, or taxation requirements that may apply.

State of Iowa

• No state-level STR-specific requirements were provided in the source documents. Iowa generally requires businesses to register for state tax purposes if engaging in lodging activities; consult Iowa Department of Revenue for tax registration and any local transient lodging tax rules that may apply (outside the scope of the provided documents).

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Department: City of Indianola Community Development Department (Code Enforcement)
• Authority for inspection, registration, certificate issuance, and enforcement under Chapter 147 and Chapter 154. Link: www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• Board of Adjustment (appeals and variances)
• For application forms, inspection scheduling, fee schedules (by City Council resolution), and specific contact details, contact the Community Development Department. Note: The provided documents do not include email, phone, or street address.

Links to Source Pages

• Residential Rental Code (Chapter 147; includes Chapter 154 amendments): www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13426/Residential-Rental-Code-Adopted
• Zoning Regulations (Chapter 165; permitted uses, bulk/density, ADUs, standards): www.indianolaiowa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12542

Practical Investor Checklist

• Confirm zoning eligibility for STR (A-1/R-1/R-2/R-3/R-4).
• Complete rental registration and secure rental inspection certificate.
• Schedule inspection and ensure tenant notice compliance.
• Post/keep certificate available; renew every 2 years; manage ownership transfers.
• Comply with Chapter 154 property maintenance standards