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Des Moines, IA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Covered breeds
Pit bull, Am. Staffordshire, Staffordshire terrier
Insurance required
$100,000 minimum liability coverage
Confinement
Locked pen or 6-ft leash
Appeal window
3 business days to appeal
Penalty
Misdemeanor; repeat violation means destruction

Summary

Des Moines classifies pit bulls, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire terriers as 'high risk dogs,' requiring $100,000 liability insurance, secure locked confinement, and a chief humane officer declaration before the dog can be licensed and kept in the city.

High risk dog means: ... (6)Staffordshire terrier breed of dog;(7)The American pit bull terrier breed of dog;(8)The American Staffordshire terrier breed of dog; or(9)Any dog which has the appearance and characteristics of being predominately of the breeds of Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Under § 18-41, a dog is 'high risk' if it is a Staffordshire terrier, American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or a mix predominately of those breeds, or if it has bitten, attacked, or been trained to fight. The chief humane officer investigates complaints and can formally declare a dog high risk under § 18-59, triggering mandatory $100,000 liability insurance (§ 18-44(f)), and confinement in a locked, six-foot pen or on a leash no longer than six feet under adult supervision (§ 18-56). Owners can appeal a declaration to the city clerk within three business days.

Violations & Fines

Confining or leashing failures found more than twice require the dog be destroyed (§ 18-57); an unlicensed high-risk dog is deemed illegal and destroyed (§ 18-58); confinement violations are a misdemeanor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Des Moines ban pit bulls?
No. Pit bulls, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire terriers can be owned, but they're automatically classified 'high risk,' requiring $100,000 liability insurance and secure confinement under Municipal Code § 18-41 and § 18-56.
What happens if a high-risk dog gets loose twice?
Under § 18-57, a high-risk dog found unconfined or unleashed more than twice must be destroyed, except as allowed under the chapter's disposition provisions in § 18-66.
Does this apply outside Des Moines city limits?
No: this is a Des Moines Municipal Code rule. West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Clive, and other contiguous suburbs set their own breed and dangerous-dog rules separately.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Des Moines

Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Fire Pits & Backyard FiresSignificant RestrictionsWildlife FeedingHeavy RestrictionsPet LimitsHeavy RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsMicrochippingSome RestrictionsBeekeepingFew RestrictionsCoyote ManagementHeavy RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsExotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Smoke DetectorsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Propane StorageSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Native PlantsFew Restrictions

All Des Moines rules

How Des Moines compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Des Moines to another location·View the Iowa animal ordinances overview

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