Meduna v. City of Crescent

Appellants John and Carol Meduna (the Medunas) established a one-bedroom bed and breakfast in their single family residence in the City of Crescent, Iowa, (City) believing under the City’s zoning ordinances it was a “small home occupation,” a permitted use in a R-l residential zone. The City disagreed and charged appellants with violation of its zoning ordinance. The Medunas sued seeking a declaratory judgment declaring their bed and breakfast a permitted use and asking that a writ of mandamus issue compelling the City to cease interfering with the lawful use of their property. The district…