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Urbandale, IA

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STR Regulations for Urbandale, Iowa

This guide is tailored to Urbandale (Polk County), Iowa. It synthesizes Urbandale’s Housing Code, Iowa Code Chapter 414.1 (state zoning/preemption), and statewide tax obligations. Where Urbandale lacks STR-specific rules, it defaults to state-level requirements.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Urbandale?

  • Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Urbandale. Iowa Code §414.1 prohibits cities from prohibiting or specifically licensing/permitting STRs. Urbandale may only regulate STRs to the same extent it regulates similar non-STR residential properties (e.g., general housing code, safety, nuisance).
  • Urbandale has not adopted a standalone STR ordinance. STRs must comply with general rental housing requirements and applicable state/county laws.
  • State law bars cities from requiring a license/permit fee targeted solely at STRs. However, general rental registration and inspection programs that apply equally to all rental properties (including STRs) are permissible.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Urbandale?

Urbandale hosts earn a median $37,455/year with $214 ADR and 56% occupancy.

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See the full Urbandale market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Urbandale

  1. Confirm zoning and land use
  • Confirm the property is in a zoning district that allows residential use and STRs as a residential land use under Iowa Code §414.1(e)(2).
  • Verify no HOA/Condo restrictions prohibit transient rentals.
  1. Align with Urbandale’s Housing Code
  • Register as a property owner/manager on Urbandale’s online portal (CitizenServe).
  • Apply for a Housing Certificate (license), schedule inspections, complete corrections, and download the certificate when approved.
  • Ensure compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code 2012 Edition as adopted via Urbandale Ordinance No. 2015-05 (Chapter 151).
  1. Complete safety and building checks
  • Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms (where applicable), fire extinguishers, egress/emergency exits, and building code compliance.
  • For multi-family buildings, Fire Marshal approval is required prior to certificate issuance. Contact Fire Prevention (Jon Rech, 515-331-6733, jrech@urbandale.org).
  • If work triggers building permit thresholds (IRC/IBC 105.1), obtain required permits. A Housing Certificate will not be issued with outstanding building violations.
  1. Taxes and insurance
  • Register for Iowa sales tax and hotel/motel tax with the Iowa Department of Revenue if hosting is your business activity and platforms do not collect/remit for you.
  • Carry adequate liability and property coverage. While Urbandale does not mandate STR-specific insurance, standard homeowners policies typically exclude short-term rental activity; obtain a commercial STR policy or appropriate endorsement.
  1. Management and local contacts
  • While Urbandale does not require a dedicated local contact for STRs, identify a responsible person/manager who can respond rapidly to issues, especially for out-of-state owners.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required by Urbandale (general rental housing)

  • Online portal registration (owner/manager account).
  • Housing Certificate application (license).
  • Inspection scheduling and completion with any required corrections.
  • For multi-family properties: Fire Marshal approval prior to certificate issuance.
  • If applicable: building permits for construction, alterations, or system work per IRC/IBC 105.1.
  • Pre- and post-inspection records (e.g., smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguisher receipts, egress plans).

State-level (if hosting qualifies as lodging business)

  • Iowa sales tax permit and registration for hotel/motel tax.
  • Tax ID (EIN or SSN) for reporting.
  • Income tax compliance records and expense documentation for deductions.

Recommended

  • STR-specific insurance policy or endorsement.
  • House rules and guest agreements.
  • Cleaning/maintenance logs; occupancy and revenue records.

Regulations: Urbandale, Polk County, and Iowa

Urbandale

  • Housing Code (International Property Maintenance Code 2012 Edition, adopted via Ord. 2015-05, Ch. 151).
  • Rental licensing and inspections:
    • Single-family/duplex certificates valid for 2 years.
    • Multi-family certificates valid for 1 year; complexes determine city vs. self-inspection on an annual basis.
    • City inspections: apply before March 31; complete by June 30. Self-inspections: submit forms before June 30.
  • Building/fire: multi-family Fire Marshal approval required; building permits required where IRC/IBC thresholds apply.
  • No STR-specific permit or fee under state preemption.

Polk County

  • No county-level STR regulations identified in the provided materials. County-level hotel/motel tax: the applicable rate for Urbandale/Pola County guests should be confirmed with the Iowa Department of Revenue and/or the county treasurer (source not provided in the links; verify current rates directly).

Iowa (statewide)

  • Preemption under Iowa Code §414.1:
    • STRs must be classified as a residential land use for zoning purposes; cities may not prohibit STRs.
    • Cities cannot adopt or enforce regulations, restrictions, or ordinances targeted specifically at STRs (e.g., a separate STR permit or fee).
    • Allowed municipal controls (applied equally to similar non-STR properties): public health and safety (fire/building safety, sanitation, traffic), residential use/zoning (noise, property maintenance, nuisance), emergency contact requirements, and limitations on illegal uses (e.g., sex offender housing, drug manufacturing/sales, adult entertainment).
    • Ban on municipal permit caps for single-family and duplex rentals.
  • Tax obligations:
    • Iowa hotel/motel tax (state) is 5% on accommodations of 90 consecutive days or less. Many local governments add local option hotel/motel taxes.
    • Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue, collect from guests, and remit on the applicable schedule. Platforms may collect and remit in certain jurisdictions; verify obligations and coverage.

Major Iowa cities (for comparison; not Urbandale-specific)

  • Des Moines requires an STR permit, $500,000 liability insurance minimum, and maintenance standards; enforcement includes inspections and penalties.
  • Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Iowa City require permits for rental properties (including STRs) with varying application and fee structures. Confirm specifics with each city.

Local Authority Contacts (Urbandale)

Links to Source Pages

Notes and caveats

  • Urbandale does not publish a separate STR-specific ordinance or fee. General rental housing rules apply equally to STRs. If Urbandale or Polk County later adopts an STR-specific rule or local lodging tax, it must comply with Iowa Code §414.1 and apply equally to similar non-STR properties.
  • Verify any local hotel/motel tax rates for your booking location (city/county) with the Iowa Department of Revenue and/or local authorities. Rates may change over time.

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Urbandale

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Urbandale Market Analysis

Photos of Urbandale

Overview of Urbandale

Urbandale is a suburban city situated primarily in Polk County, Iowa, with a small portion spilling into Dallas County, and it functions as one of the larger residential and commercial suburbs in the Des Moines metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 45,000, the city carries a family-friendly, low-key character marked by well-kept neighborhoods, plentiful parks, and a growing roster of locally owned restaurants and shops. It is perhaps best known as the home of Living History Farms, one of the Midwest's most distinctive open-air museums, and as a comfortable base for visitors exploring the greater Des Moines region. The city sits about eight miles northwest of downtown Des Moines, Iowa's capital and nearest major city, making it easy to access urban amenities while maintaining a quieter residential feel.

Living History Farms is a 500-acre open-air museum that depicts Iowa's agricultural and rural life from the 1700s through the early 1900s, with costumed interpreters demonstrating period farming techniques, traditional crafts, and early settler domestic life. Located right within Urbandale, the attraction is just minutes from most lodging in the city and offers an immersive experience typically open from late spring through fall. The site draws school groups, families, and history enthusiasts throughout the season and hosts a popular evening event, the Old Threshers Reunion-style Farm Progress Show, as well as seasonal programs.

Downtown Des Moines lies roughly fifteen minutes southeast of Urbandale and offers the urban counterpoint that makes the suburb an attractive place to stay. Visitors can stroll through the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, catch a performance at the Des Moines Civic Center, or browse the restored East Village district, all within a short drive. The Iowa State Fairgrounds, home of the famous Iowa State Fair each August, are also within easy reach, and year-round concerts and Iowa Wolves basketball games at Wells Fargo Arena regularly draw regional crowds.

For travelers interested in outdoor recreation, Saylorville Lake sits about fifteen miles north of Urbandale and offers boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking along the Des Moines River. The surrounding Big Creek State Park provides additional camping, picnicking, and trail access, making the lake a popular summer escape. Roughly forty minutes northwest of the city, the High Trestle Trail bridge near the town of Madrid has become one of Iowa's most photographed landmarks, drawing cyclists from across the region.

Urbandale's appeal as a short-term rental base comes from its quiet, well-maintained suburban streets combined with quick access to the cultural, culinary, and recreational offerings of central Iowa. Guests who want a peaceful residential setting without sacrificing proximity to major events, restaurants, and outdoor escapes will find the city hits a comfortable middle ground between small-town calm and metropolitan convenience.

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