The Building Services Department enforces property maintenance standards for both residential and commercial properties. Code enforcement officers enforce these standards using the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments as adopted and are called the ‘Housing and Property Maintenance Code’.
The provisions of this code shall apply to all existing residential and nonresidential structures and all existing premises and constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment located within Cedar Rapids. The Housing Code shall be for: regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary, and fit for occupancy and use; the condemnation of buildings and structures unfit for human occupancy and use; the demolition of such existing structures as provided within the corporate limits of the City of Cedar Rapids.
The Code Enforcement Division of the Building Services Department is a complaint-based service.
Chapter 29 - 2021 International Property Maintenance Code with Local Amendments
Means of Appeal. Any person directly affected by a decision of the code official, or a notice or order issued under this code shall have the right to appeal to the Housing Code Board of Appeals, provided that a written application for appeal is filed within 20 days after the date of the initial notice of violation or order under this code.
Vacant & Neglected Buildings Regulations are enforced using Chapter 29, Subchapter 10 of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Code.
Vacant & Neglected Buildings are Defined as: Any building or portion of a building which meets any one or more of the following conditions for more than 180 calendar days in any given year: unoccupied and unsecured, unoccupied and secured by boarding or by means other than those used in the design of the building, unoccupied and has housing and/or building code violations, unoccupied and unfit for occupancy, or unoccupied and declared dangerous or unsafe under this code.
All Vacant & Neglected Buildings SHALL be registered with the Building Services Department within 30 calendar days.
Vacant & Neglected Property Registration Form
Fee Resolution
Registering a complaint. General property maintenance complaints may be reported by phone or email. All complaints must include the address of the alleged violations. To submit a complaint or report an issue, please use the My CR portal.
