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ADUs are allowed in Clear Lake
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Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Clear Lake, IA

Is your property eligible for an ADU?

# of Parcels
4,508
Zoning districts
27
Avg Parcel Value
$392,200
Zoning Districts:
4,605 parcels · 27 districts
RS-8
42%(1,939)
RM-12
9%(400)
LR
7%(332)
RM-20
7%(328)
Other
35%(1,606)

ADU Rules

What can you build in Clear Lake, IA?

Clear Lake, IA follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.

Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits

  • Maximum size is the lesser of 30% of the principal dwelling’s total floor area or 800 sq ft

Owner Occupancy

  • Owner must occupy one unit as permanent resident.

Parking

  • 1 space per ADU; tandem parking allowed for single-family dwellings; BOA may grant up to 50% reduction via conditional use; ADU defined as temporary in an owner-occupied single-family dwelling

Rental Restrictions

  • Detached ADU cannot be rented as a dwelling.
  • Attached ADU: deed- or covenant-restricted affordable units may not be used as Vacation or Short-Term rentals.

What's allowed on your lot?

These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.

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Is your property eligible for an ADU?

ADU rules in other Iowa municipalities

Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.

Cerro Gordo County

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