Any rental property within the City of Windsor Heights must comply with regulations outlined in City Code Chapter 156. The rental program is coordinated by the Windsor Heights Fire Department.
The purpose of the code is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public. The housing code enforcement of minimum property standards is a major part of conserving our City’s older housing stock. The Code has been designed to provide investors, owners, and tenants general information on the housing code, the minimum safety requirements, and the inspection fees for performing inspections on rental property.
The housing code enforcement process begins with your commitment to provide adequate, safe and sanitary living conditions. It takes the joint effort of investors/owners and the City to ensure, as a property owner or tenant, you are familiar with health and safety conditions that not only affect an individual’s living environment, but the quality of life in our city.
Completed forms can be sent to Mark Muerner at mmuerner@windsorheights.org or mailed to 1133 66th Street, Windsor Heights, IA 50324.
Program Scope
What does the program cover?
Chapter 156 of the Code of Ordinances applies to all properties or portions thereof which are occupied on a rental basis or if in return for housing, a tenant agrees to occupy and maintain the premises and pay utilities.
Inspection Process
What is the process for obtaining a Rental Certificate of Occupancy?
All owners of rental property must comply with the Code standards. All property owners shall submit a Rental Property Registration Form requesting a Rental Certificate of Occupancy, along with the applicable registration fees outlined in the City of Windsor Heights Fee Schedule. Upon receipt of the registration form and payment, the City will facilitate an inspection of the premises and issue Rental Certificates of Occupancy. Inspections are contracted through a third-party inspection company by the City, and the contractor acts on behalf of the City.
Inspection Occurrence
How often are inspections required in order to obtain Certification?
Regular inspections of all rental dwelling units shall be required every 24 months. At the City's discretion, this timeframe may be reduced to 18 or 12 months, based on whether significant violations are present. The City will contact the property owner to notify them of the necessary steps to renew their rental certificate. If the property owner is not reachable or fails to respond to notices or other attempts to contact them after reasonable attempts have been made, the City will contact the tenant to outline the steps necessary for rental certificate renewal. Should it become necessary to contact a tenant to facilitate renewal required under this section, the City shall be entitled to collect additional fees from the property owner to compensate the City for the additional cost associated with this alternative inspection method.
Fee Schedule
City code requires that ALL rental properties have a valid Certificate of Inspection before occupancy is allowed. Registration fees are payable to the City of Windsor Heights at the Public Safety building, 1133 66th St prior to any inspection. Please contact the Windsor Heights Fire Department to verify the correct rental fee amount for your rental unit.
Registration Certificate and Inspection Fees
The City of Windsor Heights contracts inspections with Safe Building, LLC. The City notifies Safe Building once registration and initial inspection fees are paid in order to schedule the inspection.
Rental Registration Fee (*Additional inspection fees required to be paid at time of registration)
$35 - Single Family $50 – Duplex $150 Apartment
Rental Inspection Fee
$100 Single Family Inspection $125 Duplex -$25 per additional living unit beyond two $150 Apartment - $22 per additional living unit beyond four
If a property fails initial inspection, additional fees for the reinspection will apply and will be collected by the building inspector at the time of reinspection
Additional Fee if owner cannot be identified/reached and City must research and contact current tenant
$50.00
Rental Housing Conversion Fee
The fee is $250 per building.
Once the registration and inspection fees have been paid to the City, the City will facilitate the inspection of the property.
Contact Us
Fire Department
Physical Address 1133 66th St. Windsor Heights, IA 50324 Phone: Duty Crew: 515-279-9450 Fax: 515-279-7760 Emergency Phone: 9-1-1