Iowa Code § 414.28 (2026)

1. As used in this section, “manufactured home” means a factory-built structure, which is manufactured or constructed under the authority of 42 U.S.C. §5403 and is to be used as a place for human habitation, but which is not constructed or equipped with a permanent hitch or other device allowing it to be moved other than for the purpose of moving to a permanent site, and which does not have permanently attached to its body or frame any wheels or axles.

2. A city shall not adopt or enforce zoning regulations or other ordinances which disallow the plans and specifications of a proposed residential structure solely because the proposed structure is a manufactured home. However, a zoning ordinance or regulation shall require that a manufactured home be located and installed according to the same standards, including but not limited to, a permanent foundation system, set-back, and minimum square footage which would apply to a site-built, single family dwelling on the same lot, and shall require that the home is assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling. A zoning ordinance or other regulation shall not require a perimeter foundation system for a manufactured home which is incompatible with the structural design of the manufactured home structure. A city shall not require more than one permanent foundation system for a manufactured home. For purposes of this section, a permanent foundation may be a pier footing foundation system designed and constructed to be compatible with the structure and the conditions of the site. When units are located outside a manufactured home community or mobile home park, requirements may be imposed which ensure visual compatibility of the permanent foundation system with surrounding residential structures.

3. A city shall not adopt or enforce construction, building, or design ordinances, regulations, requirements, or restrictions which would mandate width standards greater than twenty-four feet, roof pitch, or other design standards for manufactured housing if the housing otherwise complies with 42 U.S.C. §5403. However, this subsection shall not prohibit a city from adopting and enforcing zoning regulations related to transportation, water, sewerage, or other land development.

4. A city shall not require an inspection of a manufactured home that has been inspected according to requirements of the United States department of housing and urban development and constructed in conformance with the federal manufactured home construction and safety standards provided in 24 C.F.R. pt. 3280.

5. This section shall not be construed as abrogating a recorded restrictive covenant. 84 Acts, ch 1238, §2; 93 Acts, ch 154, §4; 94 Acts, ch 1110, §2; 97 Acts, ch 86, §3; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §16; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §89; 2022 Acts, ch 1134, §2 \n