ARC 0616D

ARC 0616D

INSPECTIONS, APPEALS, AND LICENSING DEPARTMENT[481]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to state building code
and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing hereby proposes to amend Chapter 300, “State Building Code—Administration,” and Chapter 325, “Manufactured Housing Installer Certification,” Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 103A.7 and 103A.23 and 2026 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2289.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 103A and 2026 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2289.

Purpose and Summary

    Pursuant to Iowa Code section 103A.23, the State Building Code Commissioner shall establish by rule a schedule of fees based upon the costs of administration and for the purpose of obtaining revenue to defray the costs of administering the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 103A. Fees shall be collected from persons whose manufacture, installation, or construction is subject to the provisions of the State Building Code. For the performance of building plan reviews by the Department, the Commissioner shall establish by rule a fee, chargeable to the owner of the building; the fee shall be equal to a percentage of the estimated total valuation of the building and shall be in an amount reasonably related to the cost of conducting the review. 2026 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2289, authorizes the payment of these funds into the Licensing and Regulation Fund created in Iowa Code section 10A.507.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on August 19, 2026. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   September 8, 2026

Fiscal Impact

    This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa in an amount requiring a fiscal impact statement pursuant to Iowa Code section 17A.4(4).

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 7—Chapter 2504.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 20, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

     No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“b,” an oral presentation regarding this rulemaking may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

ITEM 1.  Amend paragraph 300.4(2)“b” as follows:

b.  The fees for plan reviews completed by the building code bureau are calculated as follows:

Payment of the assigned fee has to accompany each plan when submitted for review. Payment may be made by money order, check, or draft made payable to the Treasurer, State of Iowa. All remittances are to be:

    1.   In the form of checks or money orders;

    2.   Made payable to Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing; and

    3.   Addressed to:

State Building Code Bureau

Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing

6200 Park Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50321

NOTE: Plan review fees for assisted living projects are contained in Iowa Code section 231C.18(2)“c.” Elder group home plan review fees are contained in Iowa Code section 231B.17. Adult day services plan review fees are contained in Iowa Code section 231D.4.

ITEM 2.  Amend subrule 300.5(3) as follows:

300.5(3) Buildings subject to inspection by the commissioner, except construction involving any building or facility owned by the board of regents or by any institution subject to the authority of the board of regents, shall pay an inspection fee based upon the construction cost of the project. The inspection fee is calculated as follows:

The base inspection fee covers three inspections—a foundation, rough-in, and final. The base inspection fee is due and payable at the time completed construction documents are submitted for review. The plan review will not be conducted until the proper base inspection fee is paid. Checks should be made payable to the Treasurer, State of Iowa, and delivered to the bureau office. All remittances are to be:

    1.   In the form of checks or money orders;

    2.   Made payable to Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing; and

    3.   Addressed to:

State Building Code Bureau

Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing

6200 Park Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50321

This fee is separate and distinct from the plan review fee established in subrule 300.4(2).

Additional inspections may occur for any of the following reasons:

    a. to d. No change.

The fee for each additional inspection is calculated as follows:

One hour on site = $206

One to two hours on site = $240

Two to three hours on site = $273

Three to four hours on site = $307

Four to five hours on site = $341

Five to six hours on site = $374

Additional inspection fees will be billed to the responsible architect or building contractor on a monthly basis. The building may receive only temporary approval for occupancy if unpaid inspection fees remain at the time of final inspection.

Inspection fees and standard operating procedures for construction involving any building or facility owned by the board of regents or by any institution subject to the authority of the board of regents will be established through a written agreement between the commissioner and the board of regents.

    ITEM 3.  Amend rule 481—325.4(103A) as follows:

481—325.4(103A) Certification fee. The certification fee shall be $300, payable at the time of application, and shall cover certification for three years. Fees shall be remitted in the form of a check or money order, payable to the Iowa Department of Public Safety – Building Code Bureau. All remittances are to be:

    1.   In the form of checks or money orders;

    2.   Made payable to Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing; and

    3.   Addressed to:

State Building Code Bureau

Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing

6200 Park Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50321

The following should be written in the memo portion of the check: “Manufactured Housing Installer Certification.” Applications and fees received after July 1 of any year will cover the remainder of the fiscal year in which they are received and the following two state fiscal years. Applications and fees received prior to July 1 of any year shall cover the period through June 30 of the third year following.

Exception: If as of June 1, 2009, statutory language regarding fees collected for certification and recertification of manufactured housing installers does not clearly provide that any such fees collected are exempt from reversion to the state treasury pursuant to Iowa Code section 8.33, then all current certificate holders who paid the $300 fee shall have $200 of the fee refunded.

    ITEM 4.  Amend subrule 325.7(4) as follows:

    325.7(4) The recertification fee shall be $300, payable at the time of application. Fees shall be remitted in the form of a check or money order, payable to the Iowa Department of Public Safety – Building Code Bureau. All remittances are to be:

    1.   In the form of checks or money orders;

    2.   Made payable to Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing; and

    3.   Addressed to:

State Building Code Bureau

Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing

6200 Park Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50321

The following shall be written in the memo portion of the check: “Manufactured Housing Installer Certification.” Applications and fees received after July 1 shall cover the remainder of the fiscal year in which they are received and the following two years.

    ITEM 5.  Amend subrule 325.11(4) as follows:

    325.11(4) The application shall be accompanied by a check or money order for $50 to cover the certification fee. This fee is nonrefundable. The check or money order shall be made out to “Iowa Department of Public Safety,” and the memo portion of the check or money order shall say “Manufactured Housing Installer Certification.” All remittances are to be:

    1.   In the form of checks or money orders;

    2.   Made payable to Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing; and

    3.   Addressed to:

State Building Code Bureau

Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing

6200 Park Avenue

Des Moines, Iowa 50321