Iowa May Legalize Backyard Cottages—Your City Can Do It First
A house with a backyard cottage. (Source: Sightline Institute on Flickr.)
Elected officials across North America are feeling the pressure to make housing more affordable. Cities need more entry-level homes, but efforts to increase housing supply are often met with resistance. Neighborhood residents want solutions, but they also fear the changes that come with growth. The question isn’t whether to act—it’s how to move forward in a way that builds broad support while making a real impact.
Backyard cottages are one way that cities can address housing shortages without fundamentally altering neighborhood character. These small, independent housing units can provide much-needed affordable rental options, allow seniors to age in place while remaining close to family, and offer homeowners a source of supplemental income. By making these units legal in all residential zones and streamlining the approval process, cities can unlock new housing opportunities without the delays and controversy associated with large-scale development projects.
Iowa is the latest state to consider a statewide zoning reform bill that would allow backyard cottages, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), by right. This move follows a growing national trend of states and cities eliminating regulatory barriers that have prevented smaller, more affordable housing options from being built. If passed, the bill will create new opportunities for homeowners across Iowa to add housing units without the costly and time-consuming approval processes that currently exist in many cities.
But cities don’t have to wait for their state legislatures to act. The momentum for housing reform is here, and local leaders have the power to get started now. Strong Towns has identified six key regulatory reforms that every city should implement to unlock housing opportunities without massive overhauls or drawn-out battles:
Allow single-family home conversions to duplexes or triplexes by right – Simplify zoning codes to allow homeowners to create additional housing units within existing structures without unnecessary approvals.
Permit backyard cottages in all residential zones – Enable property owners to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to increase housing options in established neighborhoods.
Legalize starter homes in all residential zones – Remove zoning restrictions that limit the construction of smaller (400-800 square feet), more affordable homes for first-time buyers and downsizers.
Eliminate minimum lot size requirements in existing neighborhoods – Allow for more efficient land use by removing artificial barriers that limit the number of homes that can be built.
Repeal parking mandates for housing – Let property owners decide how much parking is needed, reducing unnecessary costs and land use requirements.
Streamline the approval process – Create a clear, efficient process to ensure approvals for conversions, cottages, and starter homes happen within 24 hours.
If you’re serious about making your city more housing ready, don’t wait for the state to act. Download the free Housing-Ready City toolkit to learn more about these six reforms and how other cities are implementing them. Learn from leaders who are making progress and see what’s possible in your own community.
