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IA SF2146
IA SF2146A bill for an act relating to the responsibility and liability of property owners for public places in cities, prohibiting fines, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1118.)
summary
Introduced
01/29/2026
01/29/2026
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to the responsibility and liability of an abutting property owner for public places in a city such as sidewalks. Under current law, an abutting property owner may be required by a city ordinance to remove natural accumulations of snow and ice within a reasonable time and maintain public sidewalks or other property between the property line and the curb line. The bill adds that an abutting property owner may be liable if the property owner fails to use reasonable care in maintaining sidewalks or other property between the property line and the curb line if required by a city ordinance. The bill prohibits a city from assessing a fine against an abutting property owner for failure to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks within a reasonable amount of time and for failure to maintain all property from the property line to the curb. Under current law, if the abutting property owner does not perform an action required under Code section 364.12(2), within a reasonable time, a city may perform the required action and assess the costs against the abutting property for collection in the same manner as a property tax. The bill provides that a city may assess only material and direct labor costs against the abutting property owner if the city performs an action required under Code section 364.12(2)(b) or (c). The bill takes effect upon enactment and applies retroactively to June 13, 2024.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing laws regarding the responsibilities of property owners whose land borders public areas in cities, such as sidewalks. It clarifies that while property owners can be held liable for damages if they fail to exercise reasonable care in maintaining sidewalks or the area between their property line and the curb, as required by city ordinances, cities are now prohibited from issuing fines for failure to remove snow and ice within a reasonable time or for failing to maintain that public area. If a city performs the required maintenance itself because the property owner did not, the city can only charge the property owner for the actual material and direct labor costs associated with the violation, not additional fines, and these costs can be collected like property taxes. This bill takes effect immediately upon being enacted and applies retroactively to June 13, 2024.
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Local Government (Senate)
Last Action
Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 174. (on 01/29/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF2146 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2146.html |
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