Extension Communications 3614 Administrative Services Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3614 (515) 294-9915
2/28/01 Contacts: Jim Huss, Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management, (515) 294-3527, jhuss@iastate.edu Diane Nelson, Continuing Education and Communciation Services, (515) 294-3178, dinelson@iastate.edu Laws that Apply to an Iowa Bed and Breakfast Ames, Iowa -- Thinking about starting your own bed and breakfast? If so, check the laws first, advises Iowa State University Extension restaurant, institution and management specialist Jim Huss. "The first step in establishing a bed and breakfast in Iowa is to understand the difference between a B&B home and a B&B inn," said Huss. "A bed and breakfast home is a private residence that provides lodging and meals for guests. The host or hostess resides in the home and no more than four guest families are lodged at the same time." According to Huss, a bed and breakfast inn is defined as a hotel with fewer than 10 guestrooms and is exempt from the hotel regulation that requires separate toilet and lavatory facilities for each room. The inn also is exempt from the food service sanitation code if food is only served to overnight guests. However, if a bed and breakfast inn provides food service to the general public, it must be licensed. "Other areas that bed and breakfast owners need to be concerned about are zoning, taxes, a B&B business plan and food preparation issues," said Huss. The basics are explained in the following ISU Extension Publications -- "Starting a Bed and Breakfast in Iowa - Laws that apply" (PM 1263); "Iowa Laws: Sale of Home-prepared Foods" (PM 1294); "Developing a Bed & Breakfast Business Plan" (NCR 273, $5); and "Bed & Breakfast Zoning: A Guide to Regulations" (NCR 358, $.75). Copies are available at ISU Extension county offices. Copies of PM 1623 and PM 1294 also can be accessed at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/families/hrim. -30- eh ml: imajor
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