Clive council advances rental‑housing code amendments after weeks of review, hears neighbors’ safety concerns

The Clive City Council moved the city’s revised rental‑housing code forward on first reading on Sept. 25 after a lengthy public hearing and staff presentation.

Staff said the program — first adopted in 2012 — aims to ensure safe, healthy housing, preserve rental housing stock and maintain neighborhood property values. The proposed amendments would: require registration and inspection of all rental units (including short‑term rentals, though state law limits charging fees for stays of 30 days or fewer); adopt the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments; codify owner and tenant duties consistent with Iowa code; keep registration renewal on a two‑year cycle while maintaining owner self‑inspection with an audit schedule; and create a tiered enforcement toolbox (reduced‑term certificates, suspension, revocation, code compliance meetings and options such as rent abatement where appropriate). Staff estimated program vehicle/staffing expenses at about $76,000 per two‑year cycle and said the fee changes would roughly translate to a $2.81 per month impact on tenants for single‑family rentals.

“Back in 2012 is when we started the rental housing program,” staff said, describing program results including a reported 60% reduction in certain violations between the first and second program cycles. Staff also outlined education and outreach efforts — including free landlord and tenant classes through a partner organization, HUD‑certified counseling and multilingual handbooks — and said the city will maintain partnerships with schools and community services for complaint reporting and resident outreach.

During public comment, neighbors described ongoing problems at specific properties. “There’s constantly people in and out. All of the neighbors … we’ve witnessed drug deals, public urination, inappropriate gestures, trespassing,” Jessica Dietz told the council, asking for stronger enforcement. Resident Mike Wright, who identified himself as a building inspector for another community, thanked staff for addressing problem properties and urged continued action. Roxanna Bentall said parking from one boarding house creates close calls and asked the city to address safety on the street.

City staff told the council that a court judgment and order related to an individual property was entered this week and that the city intends to pursue remedies available under that order, pending appeal; staff also emphasized limits the legislature has placed on local regulation of occupancy. Staff said some clarifying, non‑substantive legal edits will be returned as a redline before second reading.

Council voted unanimously to consider Ordinance No. 11‑72 for passage prior to final adoption (first reading, 5–0). Staff said they will return a red‑lined version with legal tweaks before the next reading and will continue outreach to landlords and tenants.

What happens next: The ordinance will return for a second reading with red‑line clarifications; council and staff indicated they will monitor program outcomes and revisit provisions as needed.