Skip to content

Iowa State Laws

  • 5 min read

Iowa Community Association Laws

Condominiums (Ch. 499B), Unit Owners/HOAs & records (Ch. 499C), Cooperative Housing (Ch. 499A), Manufactured Home Parks (Ch. 562B), corporate acts (Ch. 504/490), real-estate licensing (Ch. 543B / IAC 193E). Reference hub

Iowa’s regime is light on centralized oversight and heavy on corporate process. Most HOAs run as nonprofit corporations under Chapter 504, with owner access and transparency reinforced by the newer Unit Owners Associations chapter (499C). Condominiums remain under the long-standing Horizontal Property Act (499B), while manufactured-home communities follow a detailed landlord–tenant statute (562B). There’s no dedicated HOA regulator; when associations hire managers, activity that looks like leasing or brokerage falls under the Real Estate Commission’s rules. Net effect: boards have flexibility—but members can enforce records, meetings, and financial basics if they know the playbook.

At a glance

Primary Statutes

Unit Owners Associations / HOAs — Chapter 499C

Applies to unit owners associations; key provisions include records & access.

Iowa Legislature — Chapter PDF

Manufactured Home Communities / Parks — Chapter 562B

Residential landlord–tenant rules for manufactured-home spaces (not condos/HOAs).

Iowa Legislature — Chapter PDF

Corporate Acts — Chapters 504 & 490

Entity law for associations (formation, meetings, records, member rights).

504 (Revised Nonprofit): Chapter PDF
490 (Business Corps): Section Listings · Chapter PDF

Real-Estate Licensing & Property Management — Chapter 543B / IAC 193E

Iowa does not license “CAMs” separately; brokerage/leasing activity requires real-estate licensure; property-management rules apply.

543B (Real Estate): Chapter PDF · IAC 193E-15.1 (Property Mgmt): Rule PDF · IAC 193E Ch. 13 (Trust Accts): Chapter PDF

Popular Sections (direct links @ Iowa Legislature)

HOA / Unit Owners (Ch. 499C) + Nonprofit (Ch. 504)

Condominium (Ch. 499B)

Co-op (Ch. 499A)

Manufactured Home Parks (Ch. 562B)

Administrative Rules (Iowa Administrative Code)

Iowa has no condo/HOA-specific rule set like Florida. Relevant rules are under the Real Estate Commission when activities involve brokerage/leasing or trust funds.

Property Management (193E-15.1)

Trust Accounts (193E Ch. 13)

Licensing Law (Ch. 543B)

Property Management / Licensing

When does real-estate licensure apply?

  • There is no separate “CAM” license in Iowa. Activities that constitute brokerage or leasing generally require licensure under Ch. 543B.
  • Property-management conduct is covered by Real Estate Commission rules (e.g., 193E-15.1), and trust money must follow 193E Ch. 13.

Always verify current text on the legislature and agency sites.

Quick links

Iowa Real Estate Commission — Rules & Laws
Commission homepage

Governing Documents & Overlays

  • Core docs: Articles, recorded plats/surveys, Declaration/CC&Rs (or master deed), Bylaws, Board rules/resolutions.
  • Corporate overlays: Nonprofit procedures (member meetings, notices, records) under Ch. 504.
  • State/federal overlays: Iowa Civil Rights Act (housing provisions); federal Fair Housing Act; ADA (where applicable).
  • Local: Building codes, stormwater, rental permitting, and other municipal ordinances may apply.

Helpful Contacts

Iowa Real Estate Commission (DIAL)

Regulates real-estate brokerage/leasing (Ch. 543B) and Commission rules (IAC 193E).

Iowa Secretary of State — Business Entities

Verify an association’s corporate status and filings.

Iowa Civil Rights (Fair Housing)

State enforcement of housing discrimination laws.

Disclaimer

This page is a general reference and not legal advice. Laws and rules change; always verify the current text on the official linked sites and consult qualified counsel for your situation.

Last updated: September 10, 2025

Tags: