How to title a mobile home in Iowa
Iowa titles manufactured homes through the county treasurer where the home sits: a $30 title fee, and a new title within 30 days of a sale. Before any move the treasurer must issue a tax clearance statement, and moving without one costs a $100 civil penalty.
Who titles the home
The owner applies for a manufactured or mobile home title to the county treasurer of the county where the home is located.
A manufactured home must be titled whether it sits in a manufactured home community or outside one.
The title fee is $30.
Each security interest noted on the title costs $20.
Sources: Iowa Code 321.20, Application for registration and certificate of title; Iowa Code chapter 435, Property taxes on manufactured and mobile homes; Iowa Code 321.46, New title and registration upon transfer of ownership; Iowa Code 321.50, Security interests
Taxes before the move
Before anyone moves a home, a tax clearance statement from the county treasurer must show no back taxes are owed and current taxes are paid.
When the home moves to another Iowa county, the treasurer sends a copy of the tax clearance to the new county's treasurer.
No tax clearance is needed for unused retailer stock, an abandoned home, or an eviction the park owner reports to the treasurer.
Moving a home without a tax clearance statement carries a $100 civil penalty.
After a move, the owner files the new address, township and school district with the county treasurer.
Homes in a manufactured home community or park pay an annual tax of 20 cents per square foot of floor space.
Sources: Iowa Code 435.24, Collection of tax; Iowa Code chapter 435, Property taxes on manufactured and mobile homes
Transferring ownership
A buyer must apply for a new title within 30 calendar days of the purchase, at the treasurer of the county where the home is located.
The treasurer issues the new title only after confirming no manufactured home taxes are owed.
A title application for an Iowa titled home must include a tax clearance form from the county treasurer, unless the title is in a licensed retailer's name.
Pottawattamie County explains that a seller between July 1 and December 31 must have paid the September installment, and a seller between January 1 and June 30 the March installment.
Sources: Iowa Code 321.46, New title and registration upon transfer of ownership; Iowa Administrative Code 761 chapter 400, Vehicle registration and certificate of title; Pottawattamie County Treasurer, Motor Vehicle (Mobile Home Titles)
Homes on land / real property
A manufactured home placed outside a community or park is titled and then assessed and taxed as real estate.
A home outside a community or park is converted to real estate by being placed on a permanent foundation.
With no lien on the title, the owner surrenders it to the assessor, and the county treasurer cancels it as converted to real estate.
An owner whose home sits on a permanent foundation in a manufactured home community may surrender the title to the county treasurer to qualify for federal mortgage programs.
If no title record exists for a converted home, the owner can record an affidavit with the county recorder; the DOT charges $5 for its records search.
A converted home can be reconverted and retitled through the county treasurer when it moves to a park or retailer inventory, but only with written consent of every secured party.
Sources: Iowa Code chapter 435, Property taxes on manufactured and mobile homes; Iowa Administrative Code 761 chapter 400, Vehicle registration and certificate of title
Sources and dates
- Iowa Code 321.20, Application for registration and certificate of title, read October 7, 2026https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/321.20.pdf
- Iowa Code chapter 435, Property taxes on manufactured and mobile homes, read October 7, 2026https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/435.pdf
- Iowa Code 321.46, New title and registration upon transfer of ownership, read October 7, 2026https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/321.46.pdf
- Iowa Code 321.50, Security interests, read October 7, 2026https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/321.50.pdf
- Iowa Code 435.24, Collection of tax, read October 7, 2026https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2026/435.24.pdf
- Iowa Administrative Code 761 chapter 400, Vehicle registration and certificate of title, read October 7, 2026https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/761.400.pdf
- Pottawattamie County Treasurer, Motor Vehicle (Mobile Home Titles), read October 7, 2026https://pottcounty-ia.gov/treasurer/motor_vehicle
Common questions
Do I need a tax clearance to move a mobile home in Iowa?
Before anyone moves a home, a tax clearance statement from the county treasurer must show no back taxes are owed and current taxes are paid.
How long do I have to transfer a mobile home title in Iowa?
A buyer must apply for a new title within 30 calendar days of the purchase, at the treasurer of the county where the home is located.