Ames City Council to Discuss Radon Testing; Public Input Encouraged

Published on November 05, 2026

Sign that reads We Need Your Feedback

The Ames City Council will consider adding new radon testing and mitigation requirements to Chapter 13 of the Ames Municipal Code, known as the Rental Housing Code, at the Ames City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Local renters and rental property owners are encouraged to give input by emailing the City Council at mayorcouncil@amescitycouncil.org or attending the meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.

Councilmembers will review data from existing municipal policies across the region to determine whether to move forward with City staff drafting an ordinance in Ames.

An example of a municipality that Ames Councilmembers will review is the City of Iowa City, which has regulated radon in rental properties since 2021. Its ordinance requires all single-family and two-family dwellings to be tested for radon by a radon measurement specialist certified by the State of Iowa.

Those test results determine the next steps which include:

  • If the test is less than 4 picoCurries per liter (pCi/L), the unit shall be retested in eight years. If there is a habitable room in the basement it must be tested every four years.
  • If the test is greater than 4 pCi/L, a radon mitigation system shall be installed and the unit tested within 90 days after installation. The system then requires testing every eight years after installation.
  • If the unit has an existing radon mitigation system, the unit shall be tested within eight years of the date of the last radon test.
  • Prior radon tests with a performance date in the last two years would be accepted.

A review of other states shows that the testing intervals vary from every two to every 10 years. Additionally, most others do not exclude multi-family units from testing. Some require all units to be tested, and others require, for example, only 25% of the ground floor units to be tested. Some states/jurisdictions not requiring testing require a disclosure of the most recent test to tenants prior to lease signing.

If you would like to provide input on this decision, please email the City Council at mayorcouncil@amescitycouncil.org or attend the meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Ave.

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