Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.1A
Nonprofit transitional housing exempted
Operative Text
This chapter shall not apply to occupancy in housing owned by a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide transitional housing for persons released from drug or alcohol treatment facilities or to provide housing for homeless persons. Absent an applicable provision in a lease, contract, or other agreement, a person who unlawfully remains on the premises of such housing may be subject to criminal trespass penalties pursuant to section 716.8.
Iowa Code ch. 648 § 648.1A carves out a specific category of housing from the standard Chapter 648 eviction procedures: residential properties owned by nonprofit organizations that exist to provide transitional housing for people leaving drug or alcohol treatment, or to house homeless individuals. When someone remains on such premises without authorization and no lease or agreement governs the situation, the law treats that continued presence as a potential criminal trespass matter under Iowa Code § 716.8 rather than a civil eviction proceeding. This exemption means the usual statutory protections and processes of Chapter 648 do not govern these particular housing arrangements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Nonprofit operators of transitional or homeless housing covered by § 648.1A should be aware that the standard Chapter 648 eviction framework does not apply to their properties, which changes how unauthorized occupancy is addressed. When no lease, contract, or other written agreement is in place, an individual who remains on the premises without authorization may be subject to criminal trespass penalties under § 716.8 rather than a civil unlawful detainer process. Compliant operators in this space typically maintain clear written agreements with residents and document the terms of occupancy to ensure the appropriate legal framework applies to any given situation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Individuals residing in nonprofit transitional or homeless housing should understand that § 648.1A removes these properties from the ordinary Chapter 648 eviction protections that apply to most Iowa renters. If a written lease, contract, or other agreement governs the occupancy, its terms may still provide relevant rights and procedures. Residents in these settings who have questions about their rights or the terms of their occupancy may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Iowa housing law.
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.
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