423A.4  Locally imposed hotel and motel tax.
  1.  A city or county may impose by ordinance of the city council or by resolution of the board of supervisors a hotel and motel tax, at a rate not to exceed seven percent, which shall be imposed in increments of one or more full percentage points upon the sales price from the renting of lodging. The tax when imposed by a city shall apply only within the corporate boundaries of that city and when imposed by a county shall apply only outside incorporated areas within that county.
  2.  Within ten days of the election at which a majority of those voting on the question favors the imposition, repeal, or change in the rate of the hotel and motel tax, the county auditor shall give written notice by sending a copy of the abstract of votes from the favorable election to the director of revenue.
  3.  A local hotel and motel tax shall be imposed on January 1 or July 1, following the notification of the director of revenue. Once imposed, the tax shall remain in effect at the rate imposed for a minimum of one year. A local hotel and motel tax shall terminate only on June 30 or December 31. At least forty-five days prior to the tax being effective or prior to a revision in the tax rate or prior to the repeal of the tax, a city or county shall provide notice by mail of such action to the director of revenue. The director shall have the authority to waive the notice requirement.
  4.  a.  A city or county shall impose or repeal a hotel and motel tax or increase or reduce the tax rate only after an election at which a majority of those voting on the question favors imposition, repeal, or change in rate. However, a hotel and motel tax shall not be repealed or reduced in rate if obligations are outstanding which are payable as provided in section 423A.7, unless funds sufficient to pay the principal, interest, and premium, if any, on the outstanding obligations at and prior to maturity have been properly set aside and pledged for that purpose.
  b.  If the tax applies only within the corporate boundaries of a city, only the registered voters of the city shall be permitted to vote. The election shall be held at the time of the regular city election or at a special election called for that purpose. If the tax applies only in the unincorporated areas of a county, only the registered voters of the unincorporated areas of the county shall be permitted to vote. The election shall be held at the time of the general election or at a special election called for that purpose.
2005 Acts, ch 140, §22
; 
2007 Acts, ch 186, §24
; 
2008 Acts, ch 1115, §105