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Building an ADU in Urbandale: Rules & permits

By Iowa Tiny Houses · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Urbandale has one of the metro's clearest ADU ordinances.

Good news if you're in Urbandale: the city is ahead of many of its neighbors here. Urbandale has a dedicated Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance (§ 160.37) with clear, spelled-out rules — so you're not left guessing the way you are in some metro towns.

Here's what that ordinance actually says, plus the statewide rules layered on top.

Urbandale's ADU rules

One ADU per lot

Attached, detached, or internal.

Size: 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the primary home

Whichever is greater, matching the state cap. Measured as gross living area — garages, decks, and unfinished basements don't count toward it.

Up to two bedrooms

Urbandale caps ADUs at a maximum of two bedrooms.

Rear-yard footprint limit

A detached ADU plus other accessory buildings can't cover more than 30% of the rear yard.

Setbacks match the main house

Though a shorter detached unit (under 14 ft and under 1,000 sq ft) can use a reduced 10-ft rear setback.

Rental certificate if you don't live on-site

A non-owner-occupied unit must pass a housing inspection and get a rental certificate.

No units on wheels: Urbandale's ordinance is explicit that recreational vehicles, travel trailers, and shipping containers cannot be used as ADUs. A modular, manufactured, or mobile home converted to a permanent structure is fine — but if it has wheels, it doesn't qualify.

The statewide rules on top

Iowa's 2025 law (SF 592) guarantees your right to one ADU by right, with no owner-occupancy requirement to build — Urbandale's ordinance reflects this. And a 2026 update (SF 2629) clarified how size is measured: it's based on gross living area, not counting garages, decks, or unheated porches — and unfinished basements don't count toward the cap either. That's a helpful clarification if you're converting a basement or building above a garage.

How to start in Urbandale

Contact the Urbandale Zoning Division, ask for the ADU handout, and review the parking, utility, setback, and occupancy rules for your specific parcel before you apply. If your home is in a newer subdivision, check for HOA covenants too — those are separate from city rules. Then file your zoning and building permit applications together so staff can review setbacks, height, and utilities in one pass.

Cost & return in Urbandale

Costs track the metro: roughly $60–95k for a garage or basement conversion, $110–150k for a compact detached unit, and $160–190k for a premium detached build. Urbandale's strong rental demand supports solid returns — see our full cost breakdown and investment guide.

Urbandale's clear ordinance makes it one of the more straightforward metro cities to build an ADU in.

Let us handle the details

We know Urbandale's rules and can confirm what your specific lot allows — the two-bedroom cap, the 30% rear-yard limit, the setback options — then put the cost and return in writing. See our Iowa ADU guide for the full statewide picture, or compare towns on the by-city overview.

Thinking about an ADU in Urbandale?

Tell us your address and we'll confirm what your lot allows and put the numbers in writing. Free, no obligation.

Check my lot Run the numbers

Based on Urbandale Code § 160.37 and current city requirements; rules vary by parcel and change over time. General information, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the Urbandale Zoning Division before you build.