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Cedar Falls to rewrite ADU rules after state law change; council allows two‑bedroom ADUs and aligns egress rules with building code
Summary
Following a new state law requiring jurisdictions to allow accessory dwelling units, Cedar Falls' committee directed staff to update local ADU rules, remove an owner-occupancy requirement, allow up to two bedrooms in ADUs (and the state‑law maximum sizing), and to apply state building-code egress standards.
Cedar Falls city staff told the Committee of the Whole on May 19 that recent state legislation requires changes to the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, and the committee directed staff to rewrite the local code accordingly and to allow two‑bedroom ADUs.
City planner Chris Seve told the committee that “Governor Reynolds signed the new state law into effect on May 1,” and summarized the law’s requirements: cities must allow at least one ADU per single‑family residence, cannot require owner occupancy, cannot limit ADU size to less than 1,000 square feet, must allow mobile homes on a permanent foundation, cannot require exterior design matching the primary dwelling, and may not impose additional parking requirements.
Why it matters: the law removes several local constraints on ADUs and expands opportunities for small rental units or accessory…
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