Rental Inspections

The City of Marshalltown is required by State law to administer a rental housing code.  All new rental units must be registered and inspected before they are occupied.  All rental units must complete an annual registration.  The City began contracting certain inspections with Safe Building LLC. Rental units are inspected approximately every three years and fees for the inspection will be applied at the time of the inspection.  Units are inspected biennially (every 2 years) if they participate in the HUD Section 8 Program, this is a separate inspection from the City municipal inspection. Forms and applications can be found here.

Rental Property and Inspection Regulations

The City Council has adopted the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code found in this link.  Here is the adopted ordinance.

Inspection Services are done by Safe Building, LLC. Office Phone Number: 515-333-4161.

Inspection fees are based on the number of units per property and paid per inspection.

  • 1st Unit - $90
  • 2nd Unit - $50
  • 3rd-15th Unit - $20
  • Large building complex 16+ Units capped at $400

Here is the Council's adoption of Administrative Policy and Procedures.

Annual Registration Information

The annual registration form and payments may be submitted by mail to the City of Marshalltown, Accounts Receivable, 24 N. Center Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158 or dropped in the payment box outside City Hall on the ADA ramp.

2025 Rental Property Registration Letter (English/Spanish)
2025 Rental Owner and/or Property Agent Contact Information Form

You may also pay online by clicking the link below and completing the online Information Update.  The annual fee is $15 per unit.  The City will charge a late fee of $25 per parcel plus finance charges for late payments.

Please have the amount of your last payment to the City available in order to pay online. If you do not know that amount e-mail ar@marshalltown-ia.gov. 

Pay Online Opens in new windowInformation Update Opens in new window


Application Fee Information

All rental properties are required to be registered and inspected before occupancy in the City of Marshalltown. 

  • Properties that are newly being used as a rental or new construction and are unoccupied at the time of application/inspection must complete the application form and submit the $50 application fee.
  • Properties that have been previously occupied as rental property and not registered before the time of application/inspection must complete the application form and submit a $500 application fee.  

Changes in ownership of registered rental properties are not subject to the application fee. 

APPEAL REQUEST FORM - The following form may be used when requesting an appeal to various City codes. (i.e. Dangerous Building Notice)