Iowa Code ch. 216 § 216.8C
Finding of disability and need for an assistance animal in housing
Operative Text
1. Upon a request for documentation pursuant to section 216.8B, subsection 3, a licensee under chapter 148, 148C, 152, 154B, 154C, or 154D, or a licensee of another state who is licensed under a similar law and who is in good standing with that state, shall make a written finding that includes all of the following: a. Whether the patient or client has a disability. b. Whether the patient has a disability-related need for an assistance animal. c. The particular assistance provided by the assistance animal, if any. d. Certification whether the provider-patient relationship has existed, in person or via telehealth, for at least thirty days between the licensee and the patient or client. e. Certification whether the licensee is familiar with the person and the disability prior to providing the written finding. f. The date the finding was issued by the licensee and the date the finding will expire. g. The license number and type of license held by the licensee. h. Whether the licensee received a separate or additional fee or other form of compensation solely in exchange for making the written finding required under this section. 2. The written finding must be made within twelve months of the start of a rental agreement and is valid for a period of twelve months or the term of the rental agreement, whichever is greater. 3. A licensee under chapter 148, 148C, 152, 154B, 154C, or 154D may be subject to disciplinary action from the licensee’s licensing board for a violation of this section. 4. The agency shall create a form in compliance with this section and provide the form to the public on the agency’s website. 5. The agency shall offer training and consultation to the governing boards under chapter 148, 148C, 152, 154B, 154C, or 154D. 6. This section does not limit the means by which a person with a disability may demonstrate, pursuant to state or federal law, that the person has a disability or that the person has a disability-related need for an assistance animal.
Iowa Code § 216.8C establishes a formal process by which certain licensed healthcare professionals—such as physicians, psychologists, and social workers—must document a tenant's disability and need for an assistance animal when that documentation is requested under § 216.8B. The written finding must address specific elements, including the nature of the disability, the animal's role, the length of the provider-patient relationship, and the licensee's familiarity with the patient. The finding is valid for twelve months or the term of the rental agreement, whichever is longer, and must be issued within twelve months of the start of a rental agreement. Importantly, this section does not restrict other ways a person may demonstrate disability or need under state or federal law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Iowa Code § 216.8C, when a landlord or housing provider requests documentation for an assistance animal accommodation, the documentation that satisfies this provision comes from a qualifying licensed professional and must include specific certifications—such as the provider-patient relationship duration, the licensee's familiarity with the patient, and an expiration date. Compliant operators generally verify that the written finding contains all required elements listed in § 216.8C(1)(a)–(h) and confirm it was issued within twelve months of the rental agreement's start. Housing providers should also be aware that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission makes a standardized form available on its website, which can help streamline the documentation review process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Iowa Code § 216.8C gives tenants a clear framework for what a qualifying written finding from a licensed healthcare provider must contain when a housing provider requests documentation for an assistance animal. If a provider's written finding meets all the criteria in § 216.8C—including the required certifications and a valid expiration date—it generally satisfies a landlord's documentation request under § 216.8B. Tenants should also know that § 216.8C(6) explicitly preserves other avenues under state or federal law to demonstrate disability or need, and tenant-rights organizations or the Iowa Civil Rights Commission can be resources for understanding those options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation