2026-09-10 · Iowa · Legislation · Did not pass

Two bills in the 91st General Assembly would have limited what can be forbidden on an Iowa homeowner's own lawn. Neither survived, and they failed in instructively different ways. The 91st General Assembly adjourned sine die on May 3, 2026, and Iowa bills do not carry over — both are dead and would have to be re-introduced from scratch in the 92nd, which convenes January 11, 2027.

HF 2367: the only bill in two years aimed at association authority

Representative Adam Zabner introduced House File 2367, “A bill for an act relating to unit owners associations and native vegetation,” on February 10, 2026. It was referred to Local Government. That referral is the only action the bill ever received. No subcommittee was assigned, and it died at the first funnel on February 20, 2026.¹

It would have added a definition of “native vegetation” to Iowa Code § 499C.1 — plant species indigenous to Iowa and present before European settlement, including native grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees — and created a new § 499C.3 barring a unit owners association from prohibiting an owner from planting or growing native vegetation on the owner's own lawn.²

The conditions were not trivial. The area had to be kept “predominately free of weeds, invasive species, and trash”; the vegetation could not extend onto neighbouring property, sidewalks, pathways, streets or common areas, and could not interfere with traffic or utilities. Associations could still adopt “reasonable rules and regulations” for a planned, intentional, maintained native landscape.

But those rules could not impair proper maintenance and care, and could not impose height restrictions. That was the operative provision, because a height cap is the standard instrument an association uses against a prairie planting. The bill expressly did not reach common areas, common elements, or other association-owned property.

SF 494: passed the Senate 49-0, aimed at the wrong target

Senate File 494 — “A bill for an act prohibiting the regulation of certain residential gardens by state agencies and local governments” — began as SF 161 from Senator Cherielynn Westrich. It passed the Senate 49-0 on March 24, 2025. The House Local Government subcommittee recommended passage on April 1, 2025, and the full committee never reported it out before the second funnel three days later.³

It would have voided any state agency or local government regulation prohibiting a residential garden on residential property of not more than two dwelling units, with carve-outs for produce grown for sale, plants in easements or ditches, obstruction of traffic, invasion of neighbouring property, and controlled substances.

By its terms it bound only governments. It did not reach a homeowners association's covenants at all.

1. HF 2367 bill history, Iowa General Assembly (introduced and referred Feb. 10, 2026; no further action) ↩
2. HF 2367, bill text as introduced (PDF), Iowa General Assembly ↩
3. SF 494 bill history, Iowa General Assembly (passed Senate 49-0, Mar. 24, 2025) ↩
4. Community Associations Institute, 2025 Iowa Legislative Session Report (PDF) ↩
5. Session Timetable, 92nd General Assembly (2027), Iowa Legislature (PDF) ↩