Annexation can serve as a significant development tool for cities, both economically and physically. Cities are allowed to annex territory for several…
Resources Category: Planning, Zoning, Building
By some estimates energy consumption in buildings accounts for one-third of all the energy used in the U.S. and two-thirds of the…
State law allows cities certain powers and abilities to provide services and shape the development of areas outside their established boundaries. This…
Many communities around the state have dilapidated buildings. These buildings are in various stages of vacancy and/or disrepair – some may be…
Many cities in Iowa regulate how buildings and structures in their community are constructed. This is done to protect the safety and…
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a component of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which has three basic functions: Flood InsuranceWhen a city becomes…
A growing principle in municipal government planning efforts is the incorporation of sustainability concepts. These ideas can reach into nearly all parts…
Eminent domain provides state and local governments in Iowa the ability to require private property owners to sell their property for a…
While many cities have factory-built homes within their boundaries, they are limited in how they can zone such residences. The Code of Iowa and…
Cities are responsible for maintaining most of the public property in the community, including the city streets. However, there are some questions…