Property Maintenance Code Information

The 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), along with local amendments adopted by the Dubuque City Council is in effect for all properties in the City of Dubuque. This code, along with local amendments located in Title 14, Chapter 1, Article J of the City Code, will be referred to as the International Property Maintenance Code of the City of Dubuque. (In 2016 it replaced the housing regulations previously located in Title 6, Chapter 6 of the City Code.)

The property maintenance code applies to all property types and is primarily being used by the Housing & Community Development Department, Inspection and Construction Services, or routinely scheduled rental licensing inspections and housing complaint inspections. The Inspection and Construction Services Department will also utilize the code for vacant or abandoned property inspections. The code provides a standard for property maintenance and establishes minimum requirements for light, ventilation, and occupancy limitations; plumbing facilities and fixture requirements; mechanical and electrical requirements; and fire safety requirements in existing structures and properties. 

Significant requirements of the IPMC:

• Repairs must be executed in a workmanlike manner
• Equipment and appliances must be properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition and in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations
• Required smoke alarms inside each sleeping room.
• Emergency Escape and Rescue Opening Requirements (EERO)

The IPMC and local amendments were adopted following an extensive review with input from stakeholders including the Dubuque Area Landlord Association, several neighborhood associations, the Housing Commission, Community Development Advisory Commission, and Housing Code Board of Appeals.

Local amendments to the IPMC included changes to provisions on the following: sidewalks/driveways for consistency with current engineering standards; weeds and rubbish to allow for a property owner to assign responsibility for lawn mowing and rubbish removal in certain instances as approved in state code; motor vehicle storage to remain consistent with the currently adopted Uniform Development Code; protective treatment and interior surfaces to add lead-based paint requirements; and address identification to allow for existing non-conforming address identifiers when approved by the fire official.

Use of the IPMC is expected to improve efficiency and consistency of inspections by providing increased resources for staff and public training and available guidance on code interpretations. The IPMC is also expected to increase the quality of rental housing stock in the community as a result of higher standards on safety and maintenance required by the code, and is expected to have a positive impact for those who already operate quality rentals.

The IPMC is currently adopted and/or used in 37 states and the District of Columbia.  More than 30 Iowa communities use all or a substantial portions of the IPMC.  The code is updated every three years by the International Code Council, which is comprised of professionals from all over the country who collaborate on establishing code for all aspects of construction, fire safety, and property maintenance.

For questions or additional information please contact Inspection and Construction Services Supervisor, Ben Pothoff at 563-690-6075 or bpothoff@cityofdubuque.org