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County updates zoning to comply with Iowa law allowing accessory dwelling units
Summary
Woodbury County approved zoning text amendments to implement Iowa Senate File 592, allowing at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on lots with single-family residences and removing prior conditional-use restrictions.
WOODBURY COUNTY, Iowa — The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved zoning ordinance changes to comply with Iowa Senate File 592, which requires counties to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on lots with single-family residences.
Planning staff said the state law, signed May 1, 2025, mandates that an ADU must be allowed by building permit if it meets size limits (1,000 square feet or 50% of the primary dwelling, whichever standard applies) and prevents counties from imposing certain restrictive rules. “This opens it up to just a straight building permit and removes all the restrictions that previously would have been a conditional use,” Daniel Priestley, zoning coordinator, told the board.
No public speakers signed up to comment on the item; the board closed the public hearing without testimony and approved the second reading 4-0. Priestley said the amendment updates the land-use summary table, lot requirements and residential structure counts to align local code with the state statute.
What it means: Property owners in specified residential and agricultural-preservation districts who meet the ADU size and siting criteria can apply for a building permit for a second dwelling rather than pursuing a conditional-use approval. The county’s action implements the state mandate; staff will process ADU permits under the clarified standards going forward.
