Johnston, Iowa Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Johnston, IA

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Johnston, Iowa. The city explicitly recognizes and regulates short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) through its Residential Rental Code and zoning ordinances. STVRs are defined as "a dwelling, or portion thereof, that is used for accommodations or lodging of guests paying a fee or other compensation for a period of less than 30 consecutive days." All STR operators must comply with the city's Residential Rental Code requirements, including obtaining a Rental Certificate and passing inspections.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Johnston?

Johnston hosts earn a median $25,805/year with $103 ADR and 91% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,304+ per year.

See the full Johnston market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Johnston

Step-by-Step Process

Property Registration
- Register your residential rental property with the Johnston Building Department
- Complete the residential rental property registration application
- Provide all required owner and property information
Obtain Rental Certificate
- Apply for a Rental Certificate from the Johnston Building Department
- Pay initial inspection fees based on property type
- Schedule and complete required property inspection
- Correct any violations identified during inspection
- Receive Rental Certificate upon compliance
Ongoing Compliance
- Renew registration annually between November 15th and January 15th
- Maintain valid Rental Certificate (valid for 2-3 years depending on compliance history)
- Comply with all applicable codes including Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, and Fire Codes

Registration Requirements

Application Information Required:

Property address of the residential rental property
Number and type of dwelling units in the structure
Property owner's name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number
Owner's designee (if applicable) information including name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Requirements

Rental Certificate - Required for all rental properties including STVRs
- Must be obtained before any dwelling unit can be rented, leased, or occupied
- Certificate must be available for examination by parties involved in leasing
- Must be displayed or made available upon city request
Residential Rental Property Registration
- Required for all residential rental properties
- Must be renewed annually
- Registration is not transferable between property owners
Property Inspection
- Required for new rental properties and certificate renewals
- Inspection covers all common areas and rental units
- Must be conducted with building owner or designee present
- Tenants must be notified per Iowa law requirements

Compliance with Additional Codes

Johnston Building Code (Chapter 155)
Johnston Plumbing Code (Chapter 156)
Johnston Electrical Code (Chapter 157)
Johnston Mechanical Code (Chapter 158)
Johnston Fire Code (Chapter 159)
Johnston Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 161)

Safety Requirements

Fire Extinguishers: Required in all apartment houses and congregate residences per Fire Code. Residential dwelling units in one- and two-family structures require minimum one 2-A:10-B:C portable fire extinguisher in conspicuous location
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detection: Must be installed and maintained per Building Code
Handrails and Guardrails: Required per International Property Maintenance Code standards
Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs: Required in common halls and stairways per Fire Code

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Johnston Regulations

Short-Term Vacation Rental Definition: "A dwelling, or portion thereof, that is used for accommodations or lodging of guests paying a fee or other compensation for a period of less than 30 consecutive days."

Zoning Compliance: STVRs are treated as an accessory use (Chapter 177.15) and must comply with applicable zoning district requirements.

Rental Certificate Requirements:

Valid for 2-3 years depending on compliance history
New residential rental properties may receive 3-year certificates at Building Official's discretion
Properties with noncompliance history may receive 1-year certificates
Certificate must be renewed within 10 business days of expiration or property cannot be occupied

Registration Renewal:

Annual renewal required between November 15th and January 15th
Late renewals (after January 15th + 10 business days) result in certificate revocation
Failure to register or renew results in doubled registration fees and possible municipal infractions

Enforcement and Penalties:

Three or more nuisance violations within 12 months may cause certificate denial or revocation
Violations may result in municipal infractions per Chapter 3 of Johnston Code
Rent is not recoverable for periods of noncompliance
Properties may be ordered vacated for safety violations

County-Level Regulations

Polk County Department of Health governs nuisances and public health conditions not addressed by other city code chapters.

State of Iowa Regulations

Iowa Code Chapter 364.17 provides the statutory authority for the city's Residential Rental Code requirements.

Fee Structure

Annual Registration Fees

Single Family Home: $40.00 per dwelling
Apartment House: $40.00 per structure plus $17.50 per dwelling unit
Duplex: $40.00 per structure plus $17.50 per dwelling unit
Townhouse: $40.00 per dwelling unit
Condos Individual Owner: $50.00 per dwelling unit
Congregate Residential: $50.00 per structure plus $4.00 per sleeping room

Additional Fees

Initial Inspection Fee (for new rentals registered Nov 15 - June 1): $40.00 per structure plus $17.50 per dwelling unit
Initial Inspection Fee (for new rentals registered June 2 - Nov 14): $20.00 per structure plus $8.75 per dwelling unit
Landlord Initiated Complaint Inspection: $50.00
Third Party Initiated Complaint Inspection: $100.00
Re-inspection Fees: 1st no charge, 2nd $75.00, 3rd $200.00
Failure to Complete Repair Fines: 1st notice $75.00, 2nd notice $200.00, 3rd notice municipal infraction

All additional fees must be paid prior to commencing inspections. Complaint-based inspection fees may be refunded to complainant and assessed to property owner if violations are confirmed.

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Johnston Building Department

Address: 6221 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA 50131
Phone: (515) 727-7778
Email: building@cityofjohnston.com
Website: www.cityofjohnston.com

Additional Contacts

Johnston Planning and Zoning Department

Phone: (515) 727-7778
Email: planning@cityofjohnston.com

Johnston Fire Department

Phone: (515) 727-7778 (main line)

Polk County Health Department

Phone: (515) 286-3798
Website: www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health

Building Official/Code Official

Handles enforcement of Residential Rental Code
Authorized to issue, suspend, or revoke Rental Certificates
Contact through Building Department

Board of Appeals

Handles appeals of Building Official decisions
Appeals must be filed within 30 calendar days
Contact through Building Department for procedures

Important Source Links

Compliance Timeline

New STRs: Complete registration and obtain Rental Certificate before any occupancy
Annual Renewal: November 15th - January 15th
Certificate Expiration: Must renew within 10 business days or cease operations
Inspection Scheduling: Coordinate with Building Department and provide tenant notice per Iowa law
Violation Correction: Timeframes set by Building Official in violation notices

Key Compliance Reminders

Pre-Operation: Obtain Rental Certificate and complete all required inspections before hosting guests
Annual Compliance: Renew registration and maintain valid certificate
Ongoing Operations: Maintain property in compliance with all applicable codes
Tenant Relations: Provide proper notice for inspections and address complaints promptly
Documentation: Keep Rental Certificate available and maintain records of compliance

This guide provides the essential framework for operating a compliant short-term rental business in Johnston, Iowa. Regular consultation with the Building Department and ongoing monitoring of code updates will ensure continued compliance.

Next step

Found a property in Johnston?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Johnston

Johnston is a suburban city in Polk County, Iowa, with a population of approximately 24,000 residents. It sits in the northwestern part of the Des Moines metropolitan area, just minutes from Iowa's capital city. The community has a quiet, family-friendly feel, with well-maintained neighborhoods, parks, and a notable corporate presence — most prominently as the global headquarters of Corteva Agriscience (formerly Pioneer Hi-Bred), one of the world's largest seed companies. Johnston is best known for its blend of suburban comfort and easy access to the outdoor recreation of central Iowa, serving as a convenient gateway to the greater Des Moines region. It lies roughly ten miles northwest of downtown Des Moines, a drive of about fifteen minutes.

Just north of town, Saylorville Lake offers one of central Iowa's largest outdoor playgrounds. The reservoir, created by a dam on the Des Moines River, attracts boaters, anglers, swimmers, and hikers throughout the warmer months, and the surrounding project lands include miles of multi-use trails and several campgrounds. Saylorville Lake is roughly a ten-to-fifteen-minute drive from the heart of Johnston and provides a welcome contrast to the suburban grid.

A short hop west in neighboring Urbandale, Living History Farms presents a five-hundred-acre open-air museum that re-creates Iowa life from the 1700s through the early 1900s. Visitors can wander a reconstructed Ioway Indian farm, a pioneer settlement, a rural 1900-era town, and a working 1940s farm, with costumed interpreters demonstrating period crafts and chores. It is approximately ten minutes from Johnston and is a popular stop for families exploring the metro.

Downtown Des Moines rewards visitors with a compact cluster of cultural attractions. The Iowa State Capitol, with its gold-leafed central dome, anchors the East Village area, while the Pappajohn Sculpture Park displays contemporary works in a leafy downtown green. The Des Moines Art Center and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden round out the cultural scene, all within about fifteen minutes of Johnston. Each August, the Iowa State Fair — one of the largest state fairs in the country — draws more than a million visitors to the east side of the metro during its eleven-day run.

Johnston's combination of suburban calm, corporate stability, and immediate proximity to both natural and urban attractions makes it an appealing base for short-term rentals. Guests can return from a day on the lake or a night at the state fair to a quieter residential setting, while still being within a short drive of everything central Iowa has to offer. The steady demand created by business travelers visiting Corteva and other regional employers further supports year-round occupancy for hosts in the area.

Johnston, Iowa

Generally Investor Friendly

STR Regulations for Johnston, Iowa