What is the average commercial retail asking rent in Dubuque, IA?

In Dubuque, Iowa, average commercial retail asking rent is currently $39.30 per square foot per year, with typical NNN CAM pass-throughs averaging $6.50 per square foot.

How many coffee shops operate in Dubuque, and is the market oversaturated?

According to Census ZBP data, Dubuque has 13 active coffee and snack shops (NAICS 722515), representing a density of 2.21 per 10,000 residents. The market has an Empirical Bayes saturation index of 102/100 and is classified as balanced.

How long does it take to get a commercial building permit in Dubuque?

Commercial building permits in Dubuque have an average municipal review wait time of 30 business days, and the city does not require a general municipal business license.

What is the combined sales tax rate in Dubuque, Iowa?

The combined sales tax rate in Dubuque is 8.00%, comprised of a 6.00% state tax and a 2.00% local municipal/county tax.

What power plug, voltage, and electrical frequency are used in Dubuque?

In Dubuque, Iowa, electrical outlets utilize standard US Type A (2-pin) and Type B (3-pin grounded) plugs running at 120 Volts at 60Hz. International travelers from the UK, EU, Australia, or Asia require a plug adapter and dual-voltage or step-down converter.

What is the time zone, primary airport, and tipping custom in Dubuque?

Dubuque operates in the America/Chicago (CT: UTC-06:00) zone. The primary commercial airport is Dubuque Metropolitan Commercial Airport (DUB). Tipping in restaurants and bars follows standard US customs of 18% to 20%, with contactless chip payments universally accepted.

Place FIPS 1922395 Viability Score: 45/100 CT · -06:00

Dubuque, Iowa

The institutional guide to traveling, moving, and doing business in Dubuque.

Underwrite trade: Opening a coffee shop in Dubuque

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Municipal Cultural Affairs · Ongoing

Traveling to Dubuque

Flight logistics, cultural calendar, entertainment corridors, and executive visitor protocols

Visitor Guide

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Dubuque Metropolitan Commercial Airport (DUB)

Primary Commercial Hub · 10.5 Miles to Downtown

Non-Stop Worldwide Service

Downtown Rideshare 15–25 mins · Uber/Lyft pickup at Rental Car Garage

Direct Transit CapMetro Route 20 Express · $1.25 Single Fare

Foreign Tax Refund TaxFree Shopping Booths at Terminal Concourse

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Electrical Outlets & Voltage

Standard US Type A / Type B plugs (120V @ 60Hz). Visitors from UK, EU, Australia, or Asia require standard two/three-prong US adapter.

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Currency & Dining Tipping

US Dollar (USD, $). Universal contactless Apple Pay and chip cards. Standard restaurant gratuity is 18%–20% on final pre-tax total.

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Best Scouting Months

March–May and October–November provide 72°–84°F weather. Avoid July–August for outdoor pedestrian surveys due to peak 100°F+ heat.

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Drinking Water & Health

Municipal water is 100% EPA potable (City of Austin Water & Wastewater PWSID TX2270001). Safe to drink straight from tap in all hotels and restaurants.

Top Cultural & Culinary Scouting Districts

South Congress (SoCo)

Flagship boutique retail, historic live music (Continental Club), iconic dining, high pedestrian density.

East Austin (Cesar Chavez & 6th)

Creative culinary hub, craft breweries, specialty third-wave coffee purveyors, art collectives.

Downtown 2nd Street District

High-end retail, Austin City Limits (ACL Live at Moody Theater), Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike access.

Rainey Street Historic District

Renovated bungalow bars, outdoor food truck courts, transitioning to luxury high-rise commercial mix.

Commercial Establishment Density — Coffee & Snack Shops

Live slippy map with verified coffee shop coordinates across Dubuque

balanced

13 existing coffee shops mapped · Click any pin

Existing Businesses

US Census ZBP Verified

Density / 10k Residents

2.21

National Benchmark: 2.15

Saturation Index

102 / 100

Bayes Smoothed (m=10k)

Retail Lease Breakeven Underwriting

Determine required customer transaction velocity to cover Dubuque retail leases

Store Size (Usable Sq Ft) 1,400 sqft

Base Asking Rent ($/sqft/yr) $39.30 / sqft

Average Customer Ticket ($) $8.50

Cost of Goods Sold (COGS %) 28%

Operating Velocity Required

Daily Customers Required

transactions per operating day

Monthly Net Revenue Needed

$22,460

Monthly Fixed Cost (Lease + Labor)

$16,170

Stripping 8.00% sales tax and applying 18% payroll burden load.

Dubuque NAICS Industry Saturation Benchmark

Empirical Bayes analysis across all 25 core small business categories

Industry / Trade	Active Units	Density / 10k	US Benchmark	Market Status
Coffee & Snack Shops	13	2.21	2.15	balanced
Full-Service Restaurants	40	6.79	6.8	balanced
Fast Food Restaurants	42	7.13	7.2	balanced
Bars & Drinking Places	11	1.87	1.85	balanced
Barber Shops	8	1.36	1.35	balanced
Beauty Salons & Hair Studios	20	3.4	3.4	balanced
Nail Salons	12	2.04	2.1	balanced
Fitness & Recreational Gyms	7	1.19	1.25	balanced
Pet Care & Grooming	6	1.02	0.95	balanced
Veterinary Services	6	1.02	1.05	balanced
General Automotive Repair	28	4.76	4.8	balanced
Car Washes & Detailing	4	0.68	0.65	balanced
Coin Laundromats	3	0.51	0.55	balanced
Dry Cleaning & Laundry	5	0.85	0.85	balanced
Offices of Dentists	23	3.91	3.9	balanced
Offices of Chiropractors	8	1.36	1.4	balanced
Physical Therapy Clinics	9	1.53	1.55	balanced
Child Day Care Services	13	2.21	2.25	balanced
Convenience Stores	11	1.87	1.95	balanced
Family Clothing Stores	10	1.7	1.65	balanced
Retail Bakeries	5	0.85	0.85	balanced
Florists & Floral Gift	3	0.51	0.5	balanced
Offices of Lawyers	29	4.93	4.9	balanced
Offices of CPAs	12	2.04	2.1	balanced
Real Estate Brokerages	22	3.74	3.8	balanced

Permits, Taxes & Municipal Friction

Statutory approvals required to open a commercial space in Dubuque

Requirement	Status / Timeline	Agency / Fee
General Business License	Exempt / Not Required	No general city business license required. State of Iowa statutory filings apply.
Certificate of Occupancy	Mandatory Prior to Open	$185 standard municipal inspection fee
Commercial Building Permit	~30 Days Review	Development Services Department (DSD)
Combined Sales Tax Rate	8.00% Combined	6.00% State + 2.00% Local

SBA 504 / 7(A) LENDER COMPLIANT 100% FREE

Dubuque Institutional Dossier

Official Site Selection & Relocation Packet · 2026 Edition

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✓ ZCTA Micro-Saturation Heatmap: All 25 NAICS trade counts

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✓ Triple Net (NNN) CAM Model: 5-year lease escalation & breakeven audit

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Dubuque, Iowa

Traveling to Dubuque

Dubuque Metropolitan Commercial Airport (DUB)

Electrical Outlets & Voltage

Currency & Dining Tipping

Best Scouting Months

Drinking Water & Health

Top Cultural & Culinary Scouting Districts

Moving to Dubuque

Elevation, Terrain & Climate Normals

USGS 3DEP High-Resolution Elevation

Climate Normals (30-Year Baseline)

Healthcare, Safety & School Districts

Emergency & Trauma Care

Top Regional School Districts