CHAPTER 37
HOTEL AND MOTEL INSPECTIONS
481—37.1(137C) Building and grounds. Owners or managers are expected to keep hotels clean. This means there shall be no litter nor accumulation of refuse anywhere on the premises.
The floors, walls, and ceilings shall be kept clean and in good repair.
	37.1(1) Screens or self-closing doors shall be used to keep flies, mosquitoes and other pests out of hotel lobbies, kitchens, or any other indoor area. Other effective methods are acceptable.
	37.1(2) All garbage must be kept in metal or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Garbage must be removed regularly so it does not create offensive odors, a problem with insects or rodents, or health or fire hazards.
	37.1(3) Any room or article which becomes infested with insects or vermin shall be cleaned or chemically treated until there are no more insects or vermin.
481—37.2(137C) Guest rooms. Hotels built or extensively remodeled as determined by the department, after January 1, 1979, shall provide ventilation in guest rooms with windows or mechanical devices. The furniture, drapes and accessories shall be kept clean and in good repair.
481—37.3(137C) Bedding. All materials used on a bed or any sleeping place shall be kept clean and in good repair.
	37.3(1) There shall be an under sheet and top sheet for every bed. Pillows shall have pillow slips. The sheets shall be large enough to completely cover the mattress.
	37.3(2) Each guest shall be furnished clean sheets and pillow slips.
	37.3(3) All other bedding shall be aired between guests and shall be kept clean.
481—37.4(137C) Lavatory facilities. Hotels built or remodeled after January 1, 1979, shall have lavatory facilities in each guest room, except for bed and breakfast inns.
	37.4(1) Each guest room shall be equipped with hot and cold running water. The fixtures must be easy to clean. The floors shall be nonabsorbent and impermeable so they can be washed with water.
	37.4(2) Lavatory rooms shall be well-lighted and shall be vented to the outside of the building. This may be done with electric units.
	37.4(3) Each guest shall have a clean towel each day.
	37.4(4) Bed and breakfast inns shall provide at least one restroom which is available to overnight guests. The restroom must be equipped as provided in subrules 37.4(1) to 37.4(3).
481—37.5(137C) Glasses and ice.
	37.5(1) Each guest shall have clean glasses to use. All cups, glasses or utensils usable more than once shall be sanitized by:
	a. 	Immersion for at least one-half minute in clean, hot water at a temperature of at least 170°F; or
	b. 	Immersion for at least one minute in a clean solution containing at least 50 parts per million of available chlorine as a hypochlorite and at a temperature of at least 75°F; or
	c. 	Immersion for at least one minute in a clean solution containing at least 12.5 parts per million of available iodine and having a pH not higher than 5.0 and at a temperature of at least 75°F; or
	d. 	Immersion in a clean solution containing any other chemical sanitizing agent allowed under 21 CFR 178.1010 that will provide the equivalent bactericidal effect of a solution containing at least 50 parts per million of available chlorine as a hypochlorite at a temperature of a least 75°F for one minute.
	37.5(2) When hot water is used for sanitizing, the following equipment shall be used:
	a. 	An integral heating or fixture installed in, on, or under the sanitizing compartment of the sink capable of maintaining the water at a temperature of at least 170°F; and
	b. 	A numerically scaled indicating thermometer, accurate to ± 3°F, convenient to the sink for frequent checks of water temperature.
	37.5(3) Ice kept for guests to use shall be protected from contamination. Lids on ice machines or storage bins shall be tight. Containers used to store ice shall be continuously drained and there shall be an air gap in addition to the drain. Ice containers and utensils shall be designed so that the surfaces are made of a material that is safe for use as a food contact surface and so that the surface can be adequately cleaned.
481—37.6(137C) Employees. No employer shall allow a person who has a communicable disease, as defined in Iowa Code chapter 139, to work in a hotel.
481—37.7(137C) Room rates. A list visible to the public posted near the office shall indicate room numbers and floor and the cost per day per person. The cost per day per person shall also be posted in each room.
481—37.8(137C) Inspections. Hotels shall be inspected at least once biennially. An inspector may enter a hotel at any reasonable hour and shall be given free access to every part of the premises for each inspection. The inspector shall receive any help needed to make a thorough and complete inspection.
481—37.9(137C) Enforcement. Violation of these rules or any provision of Iowa Code chapter 137C is a simple misdemeanor. The department may employ various remedies if violations are discovered.
A license may be revoked.
An injunction may be sought.
A case may be referred to a county attorney for criminal prosecution.
481—37.10(137C) Criminal offense—conviction of license holder.
	37.10(1) The department may revoke the license of a license holder who:
	a. 	Conducts an activity constituting a criminal offense in the licensed hotel or motel establishment; and
	b. 	Is convicted of a felony as a result.
	37.10(2) The department may suspend or revoke the license of a license holder who:
	a. 	Conducts an activity constituting a criminal offense in the licensed hotel or motel establishment; and
	b. 	Is convicted of a serious misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor as a result.
	37.10(3) A certified copy of the final order or judgment of conviction or plea of guilty shall be conclusive evidence of the conviction of the license holder.
	37.10(4) The department’s decision to revoke or suspend a license may be contested by the adversely affected party pursuant to the provisions of 481—30.13(10A).
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 137C.10(3).
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 137C.
[Filed 10/13/78, Notice 8/23/78—published 11/1/78, effective 12/7/78]
[Filed 4/23/82, Notice 3/17/82—published 5/12/82, effective 6/16/82]
[Filed emergency 12/6/84—published 1/2/85, effective 12/6/84]
[Filed 2/8/85, Notice 1/2/85—published 2/27/85, effective 4/3/85]
[Filed 2/20/87, Notice 1/14/87—published 3/11/87, effective 4/15/87]
[Filed 8/6/87, Notice 7/1/87—published 8/26/87, effective 9/30/87]
[Filed 4/12/91, Notice 3/6/91—published 5/1/91, effective 6/5/91]
[Filed 9/23/91, Notice 8/7/91—published 10/16/91, effective 11/20/91]
[Filed 9/10/92, Notice 7/22/92—published 9/30/92, effective 11/4/92]
[Filed 7/5/00, Notice 5/31/00—published 7/26/00, effective 8/30/00]