Iowa City's Mayor, Jim Throgmorton, opposes changes to the state's rental occupancy limits, arguing that these limits protect the state's elderly. The amendment's supporters say it's giving Iowans the freedom to live the way they want to.
"House File 134, signed into law by former Gov. Terry Branstad earlier this year, removes a city's power to enforce occupancy limits in residential rental properties — homes that have been put up for rent — based on family or non-family relationships between tenants," reports Andy Davis for Iowa City Press Citizen. The law would enact a big change for places like Iowa City, where it's currently illegal for more than three unrelated people to live in the same dwelling. City officials there argue that this regulation helps the city "preserve the character" of its neighborhoods and city.
Others have argued that loosening these regulations will give Iowans the ability to live as they want to and not the way city officials would like them to live. Beyond that, it could make cities more dense and limit the segregating powers of zoning.
FULL STORY: Iowa cities grapple with rental housing occupancy changes
Colorado Ends Non-Family Occupancy Limits
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Arizona State Lawmakers Seek to Override Local Zoning to Spur Housing Development
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Iowa City is planning ahead to ensure that housing supply keeps up with housing demand.
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