Rental Registration
Rental Housing Program
Registration is now open for the 2023 City of Waterloo Rental Registration Program. Applications are due by November 1, 2023 for the 2024 permit year. Rental Unit Registrations for the current license period of January 1 to December 31, 2023 will expire on December 31, 2023. All landlords are required to register properties each year within 30 days of purchase, and every year thereafter. The fee for registration is $25.00 per rental unit and will double to $50.00 per rental unit on January 1, 2024 for failure to timely register. Registration instructions are available on the city website.
Registration with the City of Waterloo is required for properties that meet the following criteria as outlined in Waterloo City Code: A dwelling, duplex, multiple dwelling, condominium, dwelling unit, rooming unit, trailers, mobile homes or sleeping unit which is not eligible for the Iowa homestead credit for property tax purposes, or single dwelling portions of a duplex or multiple dwelling that are not occupied by the owner of the property, and which requires a payment in money or services to be made to the owner for the possession or use thereof.
The purpose of the Rental Registration Program is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, limb, health, property, and public welfare by regulating and controlling the use, occupancy, location, and maintenance of all residential buildings and structures for rental within this jurisdiction, and to establish a program of regular rental inspections.
Please direct licensing questions to the City Clerk’s Office at 319-291-4323.
Business Listings (7-1-2014-10-13-2022)
2024 Registration Letter
Iowa Landlord and Tenant Law Summary (pdf)
Online Registration
Landlords who have not registered before must contact the City Clerk’s Office at 319-291-4323 prior to registering online.
Online Registration Instructions (Text)Online Registration Instructions (With Screen Shots)
Online Registration
On June 20, 2022 the Waterloo City Council made amendments to the Rental Housing Program Ordinance. To find out more information about the Waterloo Rental Housing program visit the city website at: https://www.cityofwaterlooiowa.com/departments/building_inspections/rental_registration.php
You can view a Summary of Changes here.
You can view the entire ordinance by clicking here.