Des Moines's Animal Ordinances: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles animal ordinances a little differently. In Des Moines, Iowa, there are 11 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Chickens & Livestock

Des Moines lets residents keep chickens, ducks and other small fowl in coops set back 25 feet from a neighbor's house, capped at two species and 30 birds on lots under an acre, but roosters need written consent from every abutting neighbor.

Key details: Coop setback: 25 ft from neighboring residence. Small lot cap: 2 species, 30 birds (under 1 acre). Larger lot cap: 6 species, 50 birds per acre. Rooster rule: written consent from abutting neighbors required. Rooster grandfather deadline: unconsented birds removed by Dec. 31, 2026.

Keeping animals beyond the acreage, setback, species or headcount limits, or an unconsented rooster after December 31, 2026, is a misdemeanor or municipal infraction under Section 18-13, punishable by fine or civil penalty.

Wildlife Feeding

Feeding deer or waterfowl anywhere in Des Moines, public or private land, is prohibited. Backyard bird feeding is still allowed if the feed stays out of reach of deer and waterfowl.

Key details: Prohibited: Feeding deer or waterfowl. Bird feeder limit: Max 1 cubic foot, 4 ft high. Penalty: Misdemeanor or municipal infraction. Enacted by: Ord. No. 16,066. Applies: Only inside Des Moines city limits.

A violation is a misdemeanor fineable under § 1-15 or a municipal infraction with a civil penalty; each day of ongoing feeding is a separate offense, and violators can also be ordered to stop and clean up.

This is one of the stricter rules in Des Moines's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Pet Limits

Des Moines limits the total number of dogs and cats per household and authorizes Animal Control to seize animals from hoarding situations under Chapter 6, with prosecution available for cruelty under Iowa Code Chapter 717B.

Key details: Code: DSM Ch. 6. State law: IA Code 717B. Enforcement: Animal Control + DSMPD. Penalty: Seizure + ban possible.

Exceeding pet limits, neglecting animals, refusing welfare inspections, or maintaining unsanitary conditions can lead to seizure, citations, criminal cruelty charges, and ownership bans.

Compared to other cities, Des Moines takes a harder line on pet limits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Cat Rules

Des Moines requires an annual cat license for cats six months and older, and allows sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped community cats with no owner to roam free without a license.

Key details: License required: Cats six months and older. License expires: December 31 each year. Community cat exemption: Unowned, sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped. Late penalty begins: April 1 each year. Violation penalty: Misdemeanor or municipal infraction.

Owning an unlicensed cat, letting a required rabies vaccination lapse, or removing another owner's license or spay/neuter tag is a misdemeanor or municipal civil infraction under Sec. 18-101, punishable by fine under Sec. 1-15.

Microchipping

Des Moines requires every impounded dog to receive a microchip before release, with the owner paying an installation fee set by city council resolution.

Key details: Trigger: Dog impounded by animal shelter. Requirement: Microchip implanted before release. Fee: Owner pays scheduled installation fee. High-risk dogs: Chipped before quarantine release too. Voluntary option: Available anytime under § 18-15.

Failure to pay the microchip and redemption fees means the dog stays at the shelter, and under Des Moines Municipal Code § 18-13, chapter violations are misdemeanors or municipal infractions with fines.

Beekeeping

Des Moines exempts hives from the acreage-lot and setback rules that apply to livestock and fowl, so backyard beekeeping is allowed citywide with no minimum lot size.

Key details: Hives: Exempt from § 18-4 acreage rule. Minimum lot size: None required for bees. Setback: 75-ft rule doesn't apply to hives. Permit: No beekeeping permit in the code. Coverage: Des Moines corporate limits only.

Because hives are exempt from Section 18-4, keeping bees on a standard residential lot is not itself a code violation and carries no permit or acreage citation. Other Chapter 18 animal-welfare provisions, such as the neglect standard in § 18-2, remain in force and are enforced as simple misdemeanors.

Des Moines is more permissive than most cities when it comes to beekeeping. That said, there are still limits.

Coyote Management

Des Moines Municipal Code § 18-217 makes it illegal to feed deer or waterfowl anywhere in the city, on public or private land, to curb disease spread and dangerous habituation to people. Backyard bird feeding is still allowed under strict feeder rules.

Key details: Adopted by: Ordinance No. 16,066. Covers: deer and waterfowl citywide. Bird feeders: max 1 cubic ft, 4 ft high. Penalty: misdemeanor or civil infraction fine. Enforcement: each day is a separate offense.

Feeding deer or waterfowl is a misdemeanor or a municipal infraction carrying a civil penalty under § 1-15; each day the feeding continues counts as a separate offense, and the city can also order cleanup.

Compared to other cities, Des Moines takes a harder line on coyote management. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Des Moines requires surgical sterilization for every dog and cat adopted from the city animal shelter, and for cats living as registered community cats: pets already owned by their people are not covered by the requirement.

Key details: Dog/cat adoption: Sterilization required or agreed in writing. Underage animals: Owner signs sterilization agreement. Community cat status: Must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped. Missed agreement penalty: Simple misdemeanor. Enforced by: Chief humane officer / Animal Control.

Failing to complete an agreed sterilization after adopting a dog or cat is a simple misdemeanor under § 18-65(b)(3) / § 18-108(b)(3); the chief humane officer may seize and impound the animal to administer it.

Dog Leash Laws

Off your property, Des Moines requires dogs on a leash, cord or chain no longer than six feet and under a handler's control; a dog not restrained or licensed this way anywhere in the city is legally "at large."

Key details: Off-property leash length: 6 feet maximum. On-property restraint: Fenced, tied, or within 6 ft of owner. Enforcement: Municipal infraction. Penalty: Up to $750; $1,000 repeat offense. High-risk dogs: Leash plus insurance required (§ 18-56).

Violating the at-large rule is a municipal infraction: a civil penalty up to $750 per violation, $1,000 for a repeat offense, under the Code's general penalty section § 1-15.

Breed Restrictions

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.

Key details: 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.

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.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Des Moines actively enforces its breed restrictions requirements.

Exotic Pets

Des Moines and Iowa law restrict ownership of dangerous wild animals. Iowa Code Chapter 717F prohibits keeping large cats, bears, wolves, primates, and other dangerous wild animals without a USDA license or specific exemption.

Key details: State Law: Iowa Code Ch. 717F. Prohibited: Big cats, bears, wolves, primates. Ferrets: Generally permitted. USDA License: Exemption for exhibitors.

Possession of prohibited dangerous wild animal: serious misdemeanor under Iowa Code. City violations also apply. Animal may be confiscated.

Compared to other cities, Des Moines takes a harder line on exotic pets. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Des Moines is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 11 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Des Moines, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Des Moines can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.