Survey of: Big 12 Conference University Cities 10 Largest Iowa Communities Conducted January, 2009 Before Ames Adopted a New Rental Housing Code

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Does your city have a property maintenance ordinance for residential property? - Eleven of twelve cities report having property maintenance ordinances. - Only Lubbock, Texas, answered no. If yes, does it apply to rental property? - Eleven of twelve cities have property maintenance ordinances that apply to rental properties. - Only Lubbock, Texas, answered no. If yes, does it apply to private owner occupied homes? - Eight of twelve cities answered that their residential property maintenance ordinances apply to private owner occupied homes. - Of cities reported having residential property maintenance ordinances, Ames; Boulder, Colorado; and Austin, Texas, have ordinances that apply to rental units, but not private owner occupied homes.

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Has the city adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)? - Seven of the twelve cities answered that they have adopted all or a substantial part of the IPMC. - Ames; Boulder, Colorado; and Lincoln, Nebraska, have written their own property maintenance codes. - Lincoln, Nebraska and Boulder, Colorado are in process of adopting the IPMC.

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Addressing the size and visibility of house numbers? Ames is the only community reporting it has not adopted a property maintenance standard for house numbering size and visibility standard. Ames does have administrative rules addressing this subject, but they have not been adopted as an ordinance. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Maintenance of detached garages, sheds? Eleven of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames has not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of detached garages and sheds. Ames can address dangerous out –buildings if they meet the City’s dangerous building criteria. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Maintenance of stairways, decks, porches, balconies? Eleven of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames has not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of exterior stairways, decks, and porches. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Maintenance of exterior handrails and guardrails? Ten of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames and Boulder, Colorado, have not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of exteriorhandrails and guardrails. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Maintenance of exterior stairs (rise and tread)? Ten of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames and Boulder, Colorado, have not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of exterior stairs. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Condition of roofs, gutters, and/or downspouts? Nine of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames and Boulder, Colorado, have not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of roofs, gutters, or downspouts. Austin, Texas, has adopted an ordinance addressing the maintenance of roofs, but not gutters or downspouts. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Condition of structural members? Ten of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames and Boulder, Colorado, have not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of structural members for owner occupied homes. Ames does have an ordinance that could be applied where the house is determined to be a dangerous building. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Tall grass and weed control? Eleven of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames has not adopted an ordinance regarding grass height. Ames does have a noxious weed ordinance that corresponds to the Code of Iowa. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Condition of private residential sidewalks and driveways? Eleven of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames has not adopted an ordinance regarding conditions of sidewalks and driveways other than in The right of way. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Defacement of property making owners responsible for repair? Eleven of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames has not adopted an ordinance regarding owners’ responsibility for correction of graffiti or defacement of property. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Big 12 Conference University Cities Exterior protective treatment – paint? Ten of twelve cities answered yes. Only Ames and Boulder, Colorado, havenot adopted an ordinance regarding excessive peeling paint or lack ofprotective coatings. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Does your city have a property maintenance ordinance for residential property? All ten report having property maintenance ordinances. If yes, does it apply to rental property? All ten report having property maintenance ordinances for rental properties If yes, does it apply to private owner occupied homes? Eight of ten cities answered that their residential property maintenance ordinances apply to private owner occupied homes. Of cities reported having residential property maintenance ordinances, Ames and Des Moines, have ordinances that apply to rental units, but not private owner occupied homes. Iowa City and Davenport investigate based upon the receipt of a complaint only. Davenport reports it takes action in only the most severe cases.

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Has the city adopted any of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)? Six of the ten cities answered that they have adopted all or a Substantial part of the IPMC. Ames; Dubuque, Iowa City, and Sioux City have written their own property maintenance codes.

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Addressing the size and visibility of house numbers? Ames is the only community reporting it has not adopted a property maintenance standard for house numbering size and visibility standard. Ames does have administrative rules addressing this subject, but they have not been adopted as an ordinance. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Maintenance of detached garages, sheds? Nine of ten cities answered yes. Only Ames has not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of detached garages and sheds. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Maintenance of stairways, decks, porches, balconies? Seven of ten cities answered yes. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Maintenance of exterior handrails and guardrails? Seven of ten cities answered yes. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Maintenance of exterior stairs (rise and tread)? Eight of ten cities answered yes. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Condition of roofs, gutters, and/or downspouts? Seven of ten cities answered yes. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Condition of structural members? Eight of ten cities answered yes. Only Ames and Des Moines, have not adopted an ordinance regarding the maintenance of structural members for owner occupied homes. Ames does have an ordinance that could be applied where the house is determined to be a dangerous building. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Tall grass and weed control? Nine of ten cities answered yes. Only Ames has not adopted an ordinance regarding grass height. Ames does have a noxious weed ordinance that corresponds to the Code of Iowa. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Condition of private residential sidewalks and driveways? Six of ten cities answered yes. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Defacement of property making owners responsible for repair? Eight of ten cities answered yes. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Survey of Top 10 Iowa Cities Exterior protective treatment – paint? Seven of ten cities answered yes. Does the city have codes for owner occupied residences regarding:

Ankeny Bremer County Coralville Council Bluffs Denver Des Moines Dewitt Ft Dodge Hiawatha Independence Janesville Linn County Mount Pleasant Pella Readlyn Sigourney Sioux Center Spirit Lake Story City Tripoli Urbandale Waverly West Des Moines Windsor Heights Iowa Communities That Adopted International Property Maintenance Codes