In force in Iowa

Fire, building, elevator, boiler and pool codes in force in Iowa now.

Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 7 of 7 areas verified on primary sources. OSHA state plan: IOSHA (Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration), DIAL Labor/IOSHA Division.

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In force in Iowa now

Statewide · county and city rules sit on top
AreaIn forceAuthorityNext
FireInternational Fire Code (IFC) 2024 edition with Iowa amendments, 661 IAC ch. 201; effective Sept 10, 2025Statewide fire/life-safety code for existing buildings; folds in NFPA 101-2012 for hospitals/healthcare and ICC 300-2023 for bleachers. Replaced the prior 2015-IFC-based chapters 200-211. Existing Group I-1/R occupancies must add smoke alarms. SourceVerified on the sourceDIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) adopts the code and issues statewide fire-safety rules under Iowa Code 10A.523, acting as state fire marshal; local fire chiefs/departments also inspect and enforce locallyIn forceIn force since Sept 10, 2025; no further edition change pending as of this research
BuildingInternational Building Code (IBC) 2024, IRC 2024, IEBC 2024 with Iowa amendments, 661 IAC ch. 300-301; effective Sept 10, 2025Consolidated six prior chapters into one. Commercial and residential energy provisions stay at the 2012 IECC editions (not updated to 2024) under an Executive Order 10 deregulation directive. IEBC 2024 covers alterations to existing buildings. SourceVerified on the sourceState building code commissioner within DIAL adopts the code (Iowa Code ch. 103A); local governmental subdivisions issue permits and inspect. Mandatory only for state-owned buildings and cities over 15,000 lacking an equivalent local codeIn forceIn force since Sept 10, 2025; no further edition change pending as of this research
ElevatorsASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 (installations on/after June 1, 2021); 481 IAC ch. 371-373 under Iowa Code ch. 89ADIAL licenses and inspects elevators statewide. Standard conveyances get annual state inspection, by state or director-authorized special inspectors barring a conflict of interest. Rules last amended effective Feb 12, 2025, adding wind-tower-lift provisions. SourceVerified on the sourceDIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), Elevator Safety program, under Iowa Code ch. 89A and the Elevator Safety BoardIn forceIn force; no pending edition change found as of this research
BoilersNational Board Inspection Code (NBIC) 2021 plus ASME Section I/IV and CSD-1; 481 IAC ch. 390 under Iowa Code ch. 89DIAL administers; certificates run 1, 2, or 4 years depending on boiler type, with inspection due within 60 days before expiration. Utility boilers get internal inspection every 4 years, external annually. Rules updated Mar 26, 2025. SourceVerified on the sourceDIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), Boiler and Pressure Vessel program, under Iowa Code ch. 89In forceIn force; no pending edition change found as of this research
Pools481 IAC ch. 485, public/semipublic pools, water slides, leisure rivers, spray pads and spas; effective Sept 24, 2025Sets disinfectant/pH ranges (free chlorine 1-8 ppm or bromine 2-18 ppm), testing at opening and every 4 hours, certified-operator and lifeguard rules, and entrapment-prevention standards for suction outlets. SourceVerified on the sourceDIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), Swimming Pools & Spas programIn forceIn force since Sept 24, 2025; routine 5-year rule-review sunset in 2030, not a substantive change
LodgingHotel Sanitation Code, Iowa Code ch. 137C; DIAL licenses hotels statewide (or delegates to local boards of health by agreement)Annual license required, fee scaled to room count ($50-$150). A 2024 amendment repealed the prior routine biennial inspection; hotels are now inspected mainly on verified complaints. Hotel fire-safety rules are adopted under Code sec. 10A.523. SourceVerified on the sourceDIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) licenses and inspects hotels; municipal boards of health may take over by agreement if they also enforce food-safety rulesIn forceIn force; the 2024 inspection-frequency amendment is already effective, no further change pending as of this research
WorkplaceIOSHA State Plan (federally approved), Iowa Code ch. 88; DIAL Labor/IOSHA DivisionCovers virtually all private-sector employers plus state and local government; excludes maritime and federal-government workplaces. Generally adopts federal OSHA standards; administrative rules run roughly ch. 203-213. SourceVerified on the sourceDIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), Labor/IOSHA Division; federal OSHA retains jurisdiction only where the state plan does not applyIn force

Dated items in Iowa

Next 24 months

No dated statewide items in the next 24 months beyond the federal layer.

Questions about Iowa

Which fire code is in force in Iowa?

International Fire Code (IFC) 2024 edition with Iowa amendments, 661 IAC ch. 201; effective Sept 10, 2025. Statewide fire/life-safety code for existing buildings; folds in NFPA 101-2012 for hospitals/healthcare and ICC 300-2023 for bleachers. Replaced the prior 2015-IFC-based chapters 200-211. Existing Group I-1/R occupancies must add smoke alarms. Enforced by: DIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing) adopts the code and issues statewide fire-safety rules under Iowa Code 10A.523, acting as state fire marshal; local fire chiefs/departments also inspect and enforce locally.

Which building code applies in Iowa?

International Building Code (IBC) 2024, IRC 2024, IEBC 2024 with Iowa amendments, 661 IAC ch. 300-301; effective Sept 10, 2025. Consolidated six prior chapters into one. Commercial and residential energy provisions stay at the 2012 IECC editions (not updated to 2024) under an Executive Order 10 deregulation directive. IEBC 2024 covers alterations to existing buildings. Enforced by: State building code commissioner within DIAL adopts the code (Iowa Code ch. 103A); local governmental subdivisions issue permits and inspect. Mandatory only for state-owned buildings and cities over 15,000 lacking an equivalent local code.

Who inspects elevators and boilers in Iowa?

Elevators: DIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), Elevator Safety program, under Iowa Code ch. 89A and the Elevator Safety Board (ASME A17.1-2019/CSA B44-19 (installations on/after June 1, 2021); 481 IAC ch. 371-373 under Iowa Code ch. 89A). Boilers: DIAL (Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing), Boiler and Pressure Vessel program, under Iowa Code ch. 89 (National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) 2021 plus ASME Section I/IV and CSD-1; 481 IAC ch. 390 under Iowa Code ch. 89).

Is Iowa a federal OSHA state or a state-plan state?

Iowa runs an OSHA-approved state plan: IOSHA (Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration), DIAL Labor/IOSHA Division. The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.

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