Des Moines prohibits feeding deer and waterfowl (including Canada geese) on public property under Chapter 18, Article VII. The ban was adopted in 2021 to reduce disease risk, property damage, and nuisance wildlife concentration.
Chapter 18, Article VII (Sec. 18-215 et seq.) of the Des Moines Municipal Code prohibits feeding deer and waterfowl on public property within city limits. The ordinance was enacted in late 2021 following unanimous City Council approval; the initial broader proposal covering squirrels, raccoons, coyotes, and feral cats was narrowed to deer and waterfowl. Enforcement is handled by Animal Control. Violations are classified as a simple misdemeanor carrying fines up to $850 per incident. The rule applies to parks, rights-of-way, and other public spaces.
Simple misdemeanor; fines up to $850 per violation. Animal Control or police may issue citations.
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Chapter 60 (Housing) requires reasonable property maintenance and could ...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 48 (Noise) standards could theoretically apply to overnight blow...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed primarily by HOA and cond...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines requires building permits for permanent outdoor kitchen installations with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs under Chapt...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no smoker-specific ordinance. Open burning is regulated under Chapter 70 (Fire Prevention) and Iowa Code 100B with cooking-fire exemptions. Io...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines Fire Code under Chapter 26, Article XII adopts the International Fire Code (IFC). IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tank...
See how Des Moines's wildlife feeding rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.