SF174 - Building Design Element Standards

SF 174; HF 490: Relating to building design element regulations, including the International Property Maintenance Code

The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce has worked with our Dubuque City government in an effort to address window size standards that the city has amended from the original International Property Maintenance Code. Their amendment has added significant cost to individuals hoping to rent affordable units in Dubuque, and has caused some to decide against putting property on the rental market, reducing the availability of housing. This bill would address these issues by reverting code back to the original IPMC language.

ASK: Support SF174/HF490

Please take a moment to write the below key legislators, and don't forget to add your own personal story about the importance of supporting low regulation and affordable, quality housing in Dubuque!

Majority Leader Jack Whitver

jack.whitver@legis.iowa.gov

Dear Leader Whitver,

I’m writing to you in support of SF174 which relates to design standards by local governments. The City of Dubuque has recently implemented and stepped up enforcement of a troubling policy that goes above and beyond the International Property Maintenance Code, requiring very specific dimensions and functionality for certain windows.

This policy is an amendment of the IPMC recommendations and has cost property owners for rental units thousands of dollars to replace windows that are functionally sound. This in turn has raised rents and caused some property owners to opt out of renting their property all together. In an environment where Dubuque is severely below the national average in rental vacancies we cannot afford to have this policy continue.

Please support SF174 and help pass it over to the House!

Sincerely,

XXX

Senator Carrie Koelker

carrie.koelker@legis.iowa.gov

Dear Senator Koelker,

I’m writing to you in support of SF174 which relates to design standards by local governments. The City of Dubuque has recently implemented and stepped up enforcement of a troubling policy that goes above and beyond the International Property Maintenance Code, requiring very specific dimensions and functionality for certain windows.

This policy is an amendment of the IPMC recommendations and has cost property owners for rental units thousands of dollars to replace windows that are functionally sound. This in turn has raised rents and caused some property owners to opt out of renting their property all together. In an environment where Dubuque is severely below the national average in rental vacancies we cannot afford to have this policy continue.

Please support SF174 and help pass it over to the House!

Sincerely,

XXX

Senator Pam Jochum

pam.jochum@legis.iowa.gov

Dear Senator Jochum,

I’m writing to you in support of SF174 which relates to design standards by local governments. The City of Dubuque has recently implemented and stepped up enforcement of a troubling policy that goes above and beyond the International Property Maintenance Code, requiring very specific dimensions and functionality for certain windows.

This policy is an amendment of the IPMC recommendations and has cost property owners for rental units thousands of dollars to replace windows that are functionally sound. This in turn has raised rents and caused some property owners to opt out of renting their property all together. In an environment where Dubuque is severely below the national average in rental vacancies we cannot afford to have this policy continue.

Please support SF174 and help pass it over to the House!

Sincerely,

XXX