Adoption of Supplement Number 2025 S-18 to the City of Dubuque Code of OrdinancesCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 24.
Copyrighted
December 15, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Adoption of Supplement Number 2025 S-18 to the City of
Dubuque Code of Ordinances
SUMMARY: City Clerk recommending approval of the resolution adopting
Supplement No. 2025 S-18 as part of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Dubuque.
RESOLUTION Adopting Supplement No. 2025 S-18 To The
Code Of Ordinances Of The City Of Dubuque, Iowa
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Memo
2. Resolution
3. Supplement No. 2025 S-18
Page 621 of 1019
THE CITY OF
DUB FE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
All -Mena Ciq
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
City Clerk's Office
City Hall
50 W. 1311 Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864
(563) 589-4120 office
(563) 589-0890 fax
ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
TO: Mayor Brad M. Cavanagh and City Council Members
FROM: Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Adoption of Supplement Number 2025 S-18 to the City of Dubuque Code
of Ordinances
DATE: December 10, 2025
The attached resolution provides for the adoption of Supplement Number S-18 of
November 2025 to the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances, which codifies ordinances
up to and including Ordinance No. 38-25 as adopted by the City Council through October
6, 2025.
Section 380.8 of the Iowa Code outlines cities code of ordinance requirements:
380.8 Code of ordinances published
1. a. A city shall compile a code of ordinances containing all the city ordinance in effect,
except grade ordinances, bond ordinances, zoning map ordinances, ordinances vacating
streets and alleys, and ordinances containing legal descriptions of urban revitalization
areas and urban renewal areas.
b. A city may maintain a code of ordinances either by compiling at least annually a
supplement to the code of ordinances consisting of all new ordinances and amendments
to ordinances which became effective during the previous year and adopting the
supplement by resolution or by adding at least annually new ordinances and amendments
to ordinances to the code of ordinances itself.
c. A city which does not maintain the city code of ordinances as provided in paragraph "b"
shall compile a code of ordinances at least once every five years.
Since August 17, 2009, the city has compiled supplements to the City of Dubuque Code
of Ordinances consisting of all new ordinances and amendments to ordinances.
Supplements are prepared on a quarterly basis by American Legal Publishing of
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Page 622 of 1019
I respectfully request City Council approval of the resolution adopting Supplement No.
2025 S-18 as part of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque.
Page 623 of 1019
Prepared by Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk 50 W. 1311 St., Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589-4100
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 392-25
ADOPTING SUPPLEMENT NO. 2025 S-18 TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
Whereas, under date of August 17, 2009, the City Council, pursuant to Ordinance No.
43-09, readopted the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa in its entirety; and
Whereas, since August 17, 2009, the City of Dubuque, Iowa has compiled supplements
to the Code of Ordinances consisting of all new ordinances and amendments to
ordinances; and
Whereas, Section 380.8 of the Code of Iowa provides that supplements, adopted by
resolution, become part of the Code of Ordinances; and
Whereas, Code Supplements are prepared by the American Legal Publishing of
Cincinnati, Ohio and filed in the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That Supplement No. 2025 S-18 to the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances,
which codifies ordinances up to and including Ordinance No. 38-25 as adopted by the
City Council through October 6, 2025, is hereby adopted, and becomes part of the Code
of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 15th day of December 2025.
;7
Br avanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, tity Clerk
REMOVE OLD PAGES
Cover Page
Preface
Cover Page
DUBUQUE, IOWA
Instruction Sheet
November 2025 - S-18 Supplement
INSERT NEW PAGES
VOLUME I
Cover Page
Preface
VOLUME II
Cover Page
14-1J-2, Section 605.2. Receptacles.
through 14-1J-3, A.(4 Pages)
KED 11/25
14-1J-2, Section 605.2. Receptacles..,
through 14-1J-3, A. (4 Pages)
Page 625 of 1019
CITY CODE
of
DUBUQUE
IOWA
Code current through:
Ord. 38-25, passed 10-6-2025
Published by:
AMERICAN LEGAL PUBLISHING
525 Vine Street O Suite 310 O Cincimiati, Ohio 45202
1-800-445-5588 O www.ainlegal.com
Page 626 of 1019
PREFACE
This code of the City of Dubuque, as
supplemented, contains ordinances up to and
including ordinance 38-25, passed October 6, 2025.
Ordinances of the City adopted after said ordinance
supersede the provisions of this code to the extent
that they are in conflict or inconsistent therewith.
Consult the City office in order to ascertain whether
any particular provision of the code has been
amended, superseded or repealed.
American Legal
Publishing
Cincinnati, Ohio
November 2025
City of Dubuque
Page 627 of 1019
CITY CODE
of
DUBUQUE
IOWA
Code current through:
Ord. 38-25, passed 10-6-2025
Published by:
AMERICAN LEGAL PUBLISHING
525 Vine Street 4 Suite 310 4 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
1-800-445-5588 � www.amlegal.com
Page 628 of 1019
14-1 J-2 14-1 J-2
Section 605.2. Receptacles. Amended to add:
605.2. Receptacle outlets shall be provided in compliance with this section.
605.2.1 Requirements. Every habitable space in a dwelling shall contain not
less than one (1) receptacle outlets. Every bathroom shall contain not less than
one (1) receptacle outlet. All receptacle outlets shall have the appropriate
faceplate cover for the location.
605.2.2 Personal protection. Every laundry area shall contain not less than one
grounding -type receptacle outlet or a receptacle outlet with a ground fault
circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. All receptacle outlets within six feet (6') of
a sink, tub or shower shall have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
protection.
Exception:
a. Two hundred forty (240) volt receptacle outlets.
b. Receptacle outlets within a cabinet.
c. Inaccessible receptacle outlets behind a refrigerator or freezer.
Section 702.4. Emergency escape openings. Amended to read:
702.4. Emergency escape and rescue openings. Basements, habitable attics,
and every sleeping room shall not have less than one operable emergency
escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping
rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each
sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly
into a public way, or to a yard or court having a minimum width of 36 inches
(914 mm) that opens to a public way. Emergency escape and rescue openings
shall have minimum dimensions in accordance with 702.4.1 through 704.2.3 of
this code.
Exception: Window replacements permitted between April 11, 2016 and the
effective date of this ordinance that serve as the required emergency escape
and rescue opening will be allowed to remain as long as they meet the
following requirements:
a. Window was permitted as required by the City of Dubuque.
b. Window was approved as code compliant as documented by the City of
Dubuque.
November 2025
City of Dubuque
Page 629 of 1019
14-1J-2
14-1 J-2
702.4.1 Minimum size. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a
net clear opening of not less than 4.0 square feet (0.370 m2).
702.4.2 Minimum dimensions. The minimum net clear opening height
dimension shall be 22 inches (558 mm). The minimum net clear opening width
dimension shall be 20 inches (508 mm). The net clear opening dimensions
shall be the result of normal operation of the opening.
702.4.3 Maximum height from floor. Emergency escape and rescue openings
shall have the bottom of the clear opening not greater than 48 inches (1219
mm) above the floor.
Exception: An existing finished sill height may exceed 48 inches (1219 mm)
above the floor if the following conditions are met:
a. A platform capable of supporting a live load of 300 pounds shall be
permanently affixed at the interior of the structure. This platform shall be
no lower than 20 inches (508 mm) above the floor and no higher than 36
inches (914 mm) above the floor. The distance from the platform to the
bottom of the clear opening shall not exceed 36 inches (914 mm). The
platform shall extend outward from the wall a minimum of 18 inches (457
mm) and shall be a minimum of 36 inches (914 mm) wide or as wide as
the clear openable width of the window, whichever is greater, or another
approved method/platform.
b. The building is equipped with smoke alarms installed in accordance
with Section R314 of the International Residential Code in one- and
two-family dwellings, or Section 907.2.10 of the International Building Code
for all other structures, regardless of the valuation of the alteration.
704.6.3 Power source. Amended to read:
704.6.3 Power source.
704.6.3.1 General.
Single -station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power the building
wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall
be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are
not equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an emergency
electrical system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low.
Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as
required for overcurrent protection.
April 2025
City of Dubuque
Page 630 of 1019
14-1 J-2
14-1 J-2
Exceptions:
1. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing
buildings where construction is not taking place, provided that the battery
is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at least ten
years.
2. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in buildings
that are not served from a commercial power source, provided that the
battery is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for at least
ten years.
3. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing
areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the
removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless
there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide
access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes, provided
that the battery is nonremovable, nonreplaceable and powers the alarm for
at least ten years.
704.6.3.2 Battery -Powered Smoke Alarms in Federally Assisted Housing.
After December 23, 2024, battery -powered smoke alarms listed in
accordance with UL 217 must be powered by a nonremovable,
nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least ten years if
installed in any of the following federally assisted housing:
1. Public Housing, Tenant -Based Assistance, And Project -Based
Assistance -The United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et
seq.)
2. Supportive Housing For The Elderly .-Section 2020) of the Housing
Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q(j))
3. Supportive Housing For Persons With Disabilities -Section 8110) of
the Cranston -Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
8013(j))
4. Housing Opportunities For Persons With AIDS. -Section 856 of the
Cranston -Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12905)
5. Rural Housing. -Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et
seq.)
6. Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans & Grants. -Section 516 of the
Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1486)
April 2025
Citv of Dubuque
Page 631 of 1019
14-1 J-2 14-1 J-3
704.6.3.3 Battery -Powered Smoke Alarm Replacement.
After January 1, 2025, a battery -powered smoke alarm listed in
accordance with UL 217 that replaces an existing battery -powered smoke
alarm must be powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that
powers the alarm for at least ten years.
Exception: The nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery requirements do not
apply to a fire alarm, smoke detector, smoke alarm, or ancillary component
that is electronically connected as a part of a centrally monitored or
supervised alarm system; that uses a low -power, radio frequency wireless
communication signal.
704.6.3.4 Battery -Powered Smoke Alarm Compliance Date.
On January 1, 2030 all existing battery -powered smoke alarms must be
powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm
for at least ten years.
Appendix A - Do not adopt
Appendix B - Do not adopt
(Ord. 30-16, 6-20-2016, eff. 7-1-2016; amd. Ord. 34-17, 7-5-2017; Ord. 45-19,
9-3-2019; Ord. 35-20, 9-21-2020; Ord. 17-21, 5-3-2021; Ord. 36-21, 10-18-2021;
Ord. 19-22, 5-2-2022; Ord. 25-23, 5-15-2023; Ord. 49-24, 9-3-2024; Ord. 60-24,
11-4-2024; Ord. 38-25, 10-6-2025)
14-1 J-3: RENTAL LICENSES:
A. Rental License Required: No property owner, manager, or licensed real estate
professional may letto anotherfor rent and/or occupancy anydwelling, dwelling
unit, housekeeping unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or sleeping unit, as
defined by the Property Maintenance Code and hereinafter cumulatively
referred to as "rental unit' in the City unless such person holds a current rental
November 2025
City of Dubuque
Page 632 of 1019