Pet Addendum in Iowa

Adds pet terms to a lease. Assistance animals for people with disabilities are not pets: no pet fee or pet rent may be charged for them under federal fair housing rules.

What Iowa law says

Pet deposits and fees	No pet-specific statute. A pet deposit taken as a security deposit counts toward Iowa's cap: a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than two months' rent. The statute does not separately address non-refundable pet fees or monthly pet rent. Source: Iowa Code s. 562A.12(1)
Service & support animals (state law)	Iowa law lets a person with a disability request to keep an assistance or service animal as a reasonable accommodation; the landlord must respond within a reasonable time and in writing. If the disability or need is not readily apparent, the landlord may request supporting information, which may be a licensed provider's written finding stating, among other things, whether a provider-patient relationship (in person or telehealth) has existed for at least 30 days, the expiration date, license number, and whether a separate fee was paid for the finding. Online registrations, ID cards, patches, or certificates are not sufficient. Landlords may not request diagnosis, severity, or medical records; may require proof of licensure and vaccination; and may deny for undue hardship, fundamental alteration, direct threat, or substantial property damage. Tenants are liable for damage caused by the animal. Intentionally misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a simple misdemeanor. Sections 216.8B and 216.8C (2019) were amended in 2024 (ch. 1092) and 2025 (ch. 30). The provider's finding must be made within 12 months of the start of the lease and is valid for 12 months or the lease term, whichever is greater. Finding requirements: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/216.8C.pdf Source: Iowa Code §§ 216.8B; 216.8C; 216C.11(3)

Pet deposits and fees

No pet-specific statute. A pet deposit taken as a security deposit counts toward Iowa's cap: a landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than two months' rent.

The statute does not separately address non-refundable pet fees or monthly pet rent.

Source: Iowa Code s. 562A.12(1)

Service & support animals (state law)

Iowa law lets a person with a disability request to keep an assistance or service animal as a reasonable accommodation; the landlord must respond within a reasonable time and in writing. If the disability or need is not readily apparent, the landlord may request supporting information, which may be a licensed provider's written finding stating, among other things, whether a provider-patient relationship (in person or telehealth) has existed for at least 30 days, the expiration date, license number, and whether a separate fee was paid for the finding. Online registrations, ID cards, patches, or certificates are not sufficient. Landlords may not request diagnosis, severity, or medical records; may require proof of licensure and vaccination; and may deny for undue hardship, fundamental alteration, direct threat, or substantial property damage. Tenants are liable for damage caused by the animal. Intentionally misrepresenting an animal as a service animal is a simple misdemeanor.

Sections 216.8B and 216.8C (2019) were amended in 2024 (ch. 1092) and 2025 (ch. 30). The provider's finding must be made within 12 months of the start of the lease and is valid for 12 months or the lease term, whichever is greater. Finding requirements: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/216.8C.pdf

Source: Iowa Code §§ 216.8B; 216.8C; 216C.11(3)

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PET ADDENDUM to the lease for [rental address] dated [lease date]

Tenant: [tenant name] Pet(s): [type, breed, name, weight]

Pet deposit: $[pet deposit] (counts toward any state deposit limit where the law says so). Monthly pet rent: $[pet rent]

The tenant keeps the pet under control, cleans up after it, and pays for damage it causes beyond normal wear and tear.

Signatures and dates: [signatures]

Pet Addendum for other states · Iowa tenant rights

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.