ADUs are allowed in UrbandaleTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Urbandale, IA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
10,860
Owner-occupied
92%
Zoning districts
22
Avg Home Value
$352,965
Median Lot Size
0.23 acres
Avg Income
$113,421
Residential Types:
10,860 housing units
Other
100%
Zoning Districts:
20,936 parcels · 22 districts
R-1S
44%(9,141)
PUD
30%(6,339)
A-1
10%(2,011)
R-1I
5%(1,141)
Other
11%(2,304)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Urbandale, IA?
Urbandale, IA follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: Conditional Use Permit
- –Detached ADU: Conditional Use Permit
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is the greater of 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling’s gross floor area.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size is the greater of 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling’s size.
Max Units
- –1 ADU per lot for single-family lots and for properties with two or more single-family dwelling units.
- –0 ADUs on multifamily and commercial properties.
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner-occupancy not required; non-owner units must meet housing code.
Parking
- –No ADU-specific min/max; off-street parking applies; Zoning Administrator may set a min for unlisted uses via traffic study; general residential parking rules apply.
Rental Restrictions
- –Minimum rental term: more than 31 consecutive days; short-term/vacation rentals of 31 days or less prohibited. ADUs cannot be used as Bed-and-Breakfast/short-term lodging (BBs cannot have cooking equipment; ADUs have complete independent living facilities including a kitchen).
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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ADU rules in other Iowa municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Polk County