You and the Property Management Section

• Disposal of state-owned assets
• Leasing state property
• Local public agencies
• Records

This brochure will explain a portion of the services available through the property management section. The property management section is part of the Office of Right of Way, which is in the Iowa DOT's Highway Division.

In this brochure, four basic areas of service are identified that many individuals regularly use.

• Sales of state-owned improvements (houses, buildings, etc.)
• Leasing of state-owned real estate
• Assistance provided to local governments
• Records

This brochure is designed to provide general information. The property management staff looks forward to answering more specific and/or technical questions. For further information, please contact:

Civil rights compliance and affirmative action

Federal and State laws prohibit employment and/or public accommodation discrimination on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran’s status.  If you believe you have been discriminated against, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission at 800-457-4416, or the Iowa Department of Transportation's Affirmative Action Officer.  If you need accommodations because of a disability to access the Iowa Department of Transportation’s services, contact the agency's Affirmative Action Officer at 800-262-0003

Property Management Section
Office of Right of Way
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
515-239-1300
Fax: 515-233-7859

After real estate is acquired for highway purposes, the Iowa DOT is often in a position to dispose of some of the acquired assets. Sales may be classified in two basic groups:

• improvements that must be removed, or
• land (with or without improvements).

A brief discussion about both types will be provided, along with often asked questions and answers.

Improvements that must be removed

When the Iowa DOT acquires land for a highway project, improvements are often purchased with the necessary land. We attempt to sell these improvements when practical.

All types of improvements throughout the state are regularly sold on the condition that they must be moved. For example:

• Houses
• Grain bins
• Farm buildings
• Commercial metal buildings
• Garages
• Sheds
• LP tanks
• Decorative fences

The list of items can go on and on. If practical, the property management Section attempts to sell all items acquired.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed regulations concerning the sale of residential improvements constructed prior to 1978. These homes may be affected by lead-based paint. The DOT complies with EPA regulations concerning the sale of residential dwellings.

For brochures and information regarding lead-based paint and residential properties, please contact the Property Management Section.

After completion of highway projects, the property management section disposes different types of land no longer required for highway purposes.Tracts may be very small or fairly large. Residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural tracts are sold. Some tracts of land are vacant, while other tracts may have improvements.

Iowa Code § 306.23 specifies how unused right of way is to be disposed. The owner(s) of the land at the time of acquisition and the present owner(s) of the adjacent property from which the tract was originally acquired will be given the first opportunity to make offers. These parties have 60 days after notification by the Iowa DOT to make offers. Offers that equal or exceed the market value of the property will be given preference.

Should the DOT not receive an offer equal to or higher than market value, the DOT may proceed with disposal through other means.

Sales are generally handled through a sealed-bid process. Notices of sales and the dates bids are due are usually published in local newspapers. The property management section also provides notices of sales to interested parties.

Properties and improvements to be sold may also be identified by "For Sale" signs placed prominently on the properties. These signs provide the telephone number for the Ames office for your convenience.

Prior to the sale, property managers may hold an "Open House" so that any interested individual may inspect the property.

Bids must be submitted on Iowa DOT bid proposal forms and received by the property management section prior to the published deadline.

The bids are publicly opened at the advertised time. The highest acceptable bid is submitted for approval. The Iowa DOT reserves the right to accept or reject all bids.

When items such as houses and other buildings sold by the Iowa DOT must be moved, the Iowa DOT generally requires a performance deposit (bond). The amount of money required is stated in the bid proposal packet. The successful bidder provides the performance deposit to the Iowa DOT in the form of a check or money order. After the terms of the bid proposal are fulfilled, the performance deposit is returned to the purchaser.

The Iowa DOT leases properties that are being held in anticipation of a future highway purpose or for future disposal.

The property management section leases several different types of properties. A few of the types of properties leased include:

• Agriculture (row crop, pasture, etc.)
• Residential housing
• Commercial buildings
• Parking lots

Leases are entered into on forms prepared by the Iowa DOT. Laws or regulations mandate some of the lease terms; however, some of the terms may be negotiable.

The Iowa DOT leases properties throughout the state of Iowa. If you are interested in a specific type of property, please call for further information.

Residential properties that were built prior to 1978 are regulated concerning lead-based paint. Applicable information will be provided to all prospective tenants prior to leasing these properties.

The local public agency coordinators are located within the property management section. These individuals provide assistance and advice to local governments involved in acquiring land for public projects.

The local public agency coordinators strive to ensure that local projects remain eligible for state and federal funding. The coordinators also assist local governments to ensure that laws and regulations are adhered to and the members of the public affected are treated fairly.

Local government officials may reach the coordinators through the property management section at 515-239-1300.

Frequently asked questions about local public agencies

The property management section also maintains records for the Office of Right of Way and other areas of the Iowa DOT. This record center maintains all conveyances involving state-owned highway right-of-way.

Frequently asked questions about records