A Place for Everyone

Iowa’s ADU law creates new opportunities for families and homeowners.

In July a new law went into effect in Iowa that could not only provide an alternative for aging in place, but it could aid in the challenge to create affordable housing. Senate File 592, known as the Iowa Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Bill, might seem like a new approach, but in many ways it’s a return to a centuries-old definition of “home.”

In May Iowa became the 14th state to pass an ADU law, which allows a secondary residence on a current single-family home property. An ADU, according to the bill, is “a small, secondary home independent of the primary residence.”

“It’s important to note that an ADU doesn’t have to be a separate structure. It can be. But when people hear that acronym, they often assume an ADU has to be a stand-alone residence. It’s actually much more common for an ADU to be a home addition or an apartment over the garage, what we commonly refer to as a mother-in-law apartment.” says Michael Wagler, Iowa State Director for AARP.

Such residences are common in urban areas where homes were often built with garden apartments or where former carriage houses have been converted to residential space. This is relatively new territory for Iowa.

“For the AARP, this bill is an issue of family care,” Wagler says. “Aging in place is a concern for our members, and this ADU bill provides the opportunity for families to keep older loved ones at home and still give them independence.”

A number of communities across the state already have ADU guidelines, including the larger metropolitan areas of Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids. Senate File 592 creates consistent language for ADU regulation while allowing municipalities to customize its interpretation through their local building regulations.

“The Iowa bill is modeled after a national AARP guideline,” says Wagler. “We worked closely with professionals from the American Institute of Architects (AIA Iowa) and the American Planning Association (APA Iowa) to create that document, which could be adapted to suit the needs and priorities of each state.”

In the Iowa bill a qualifying ADU may not be larger than 50% of the primary residence and must align with local regulations. The law also does not require the property’s owner to live in the primary dwelling on the property.

That was important for long-term viability of the ADU, Wagler says. “The purpose of the ADU will likely change over time,” he says. “If a homeowner builds an ADU for an aging parent, they need to have the freedom to rent that space out when their family member passes.”

AIA Iowa’s Executive Director Jessica Reinert says its members promoted the bill during their annual Day on the Hill early this year. “Part of our mission is to advocate for the health and safety of the public, which includes affordable housing for all Iowans,” she says. “This bill aligns with that because it creates the opportunity for property owners to be good stewards of their land while maintaining gentle density without overcrowding.”

Not only does the new Iowa law allow property owners and families to extend living arrangements, it does so in a manner that protects both the residents and the community.

According to the AARP, “An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a fully self-contained home with its own kitchen, bathroom(s), and sleeping area on the same lot as the main house.”

Reinert says, “This meets the AIA’s goal of creating livable communities—design that enhances the quality of life for members of a community through architecture. This bill increases housing options and affordability. With the rising number of seniors in Iowa, the ADU option allows them to live close to loved ones, maintaining their independence while allowing space for multigenerational families to thrive. It’s an efficient and effective use of land and infrastructure without requiring new land development.”

Although the AARP was integral in helping legislators pen the final bill, Wagler says the AARP team along with AIA Iowa and APA Iowa members also worked on coalition building during the process. “There were more than 20 organizations across the state advocating for this bill,” he says. “We at AARP provide a voice for Iowans 50 and over. But other organizations were just as invested in this because of their focus on affordable housing and property rights.”

AARP is currently working to create resources for city officials, homeowners, and construction professionals interested in the opportunities this bill offers. “We are working to write a model ordinance that local municipalities can adapt to fit their specific codes, and we’re updating our national publication, ‘The ABCs of ADUs,’ to customize it for Iowans,” Wagler says.

“Homeowners should start by reaching out to a local architect. They’re uniquely equipped to provide guidance on how to optimize lot space, increase property value, and design an ADU that delivers maximum benefit within a homeowner’s budget,” Reinert says.

In previous centuries homeowners commonly added living space for aging parents, young newlyweds, or extended family members who needed a home but were unable to live independently. Today Senate File 592 provides a way for homeowners to create that space again, whether it is multigenerational living or a bit of independence for young adults before leaving the nest.

“Accessory Dwelling Unit” might sound institutional, but it looks like home.

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