A bill for an act concerning county and city regulation of real property and the powers granted to a board of adjustment. (Formerly HF 415 .) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

STATE OF IOWA
KIM REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
April 25, 2025
The Honorable Paul Pate
Secretary of State of Iowa
State Capitol
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I hereby transmit:
House File 652, an Act concerning county and city regulation of real property and the
powers granted to a board of adjustment.
The above House File is hereby approved on this date.
Sincirely,
r
00
ÿnold
Governor of Iowa
cc: Secretary of the Senate
Clerk of the House
STATE CAPITOL DES MOINES, IOWA 50319 515.281.5211 FAX 515.725.3527 WWW.GOVERNOR.IOWA.GOV
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House File 652
AN ACT
CONCERNING COUNTY AND CITY REGULATION OF REAL PROPERTY AND THE
POWERS GRANTED TO A BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
Section 1. Section 335.15, Code 2025, is amended by adding
the following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 4. To authorize on appeal, in specific
cases, such variance from the terms of the ordinance
with respect to the area, dimensional, or other numerical
limitations as will not be contrary to the public interest,
where owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of
the provisions of the ordinance will result in practical
difficulties to the property owner in making a beneficial use
of the property allowed by the zoning ordinance, and so that
the spirit of the ordinance shall be observed and substantial
justice done. Area, dimensional, or other numerical
limitations subject to variances include but are not limited
to requirements for minimum lot size, setbacks, yard widths,
height, bulk, sidewalks, fencing, signage, and off-street
parking. To receive the requested area, dimensional, or
other numerical variance, the property owner must prove that
the practical difficulties faced are unique to the property
at issue and not self-created and must also demonstrate
that granting the variance will not significantly alter the
essential character of the surrounding neighborhood.
House File 652, p. 2
Sec. 2. Section 414.12, Code 2025, is amended by adding the
following new subsection:
NEW SUBSECTION. 4. To authorize on appeal, in specific
cases, such variance from the terms of the ordinance
with respect to the area, dimensional, or other numerical
limitations as will not be contrary to the public interest,
where owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of
the provisions of the ordinance will result in practical
difficulties to the property owner in making a beneficial use
of the property allowed by the zoning ordinance, and so that
the spirit of the ordinance shall be observed and substantial
justice done. Area, dimensional, or other numerical
limitations subject to variances include but are not limited
to requirements for minimum lot size, setbacks, yard widths,
height, bulk, sidewalks, fencing, signage, and off-street
parking. To receive the requested area, dimensional, or
other numerical variance, the property owner must prove that
the practical difficulties faced are unique to the property
at issue and not self-created and must also demonstrate
that granting the variance will not significantly alter the
essential character of the surrounding neighborhood.
PAT GRASSL
L4 , 1 J •v•d
AMY SINCLIR
Speaker of - the House President of the Senate
I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and
is known as House File 652, Ninety-first General Assembly.
Approved 14 1 2M_ , 2025
Governor