How Des Moines Handles Building Setbacks & Zoning: A Practical Guide

Des Moines maintains 170 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with building setbacks & zoning. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Des Moines falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Lot Coverage Limits

Des Moines Chapters 134 and 135 regulate lot coverage and setbacks in residential Neighborhood (N) districts. For standard House A, B, and C building types, maximum building coverage is 35% and maximum total impervious area is 55%. Front yard impervious area is limited to 25%.

Key details: Max building coverage (House A–C): 35% of lot. Max total impervious area: 55% of lot. Max front yard impervious: 25%. Minimum interior side setback: 7 ft per side (15 ft combined). Governing chapters: Ch. 134 (Zoning) & Ch. 135 (Planning/Design).

Building or paving in excess of lot coverage limits triggers a stop-work order and may require removal or variance approval. Violations are municipal infractions; fines escalate with repeat or uncorrected violations.

Setback Rules

Des Moines establishes building setbacks by zoning district through Chapters 134 and 135. Residential districts use a block-averaging approach for front setbacks, with minimum side yards of 5–8 feet and rear yards of 25–35 feet, depending on building type and district.

Key details: Governing code: Ch. 134 & 135 (Ord. 15,816). Front setback method: Block averaging (N-districts). Min. interior side yard: 5–8 ft by district. Min. rear yard: 25–35 ft by building type. Variance body: Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Setback violations are zoning code violations; Zoning Enforcement Division may issue notices of violation, require removal or modification, and assess civil fines.

Structure Height Limits

Des Moines limits building heights through Chapter 135 building-type standards and Chapter 134 district rules. Residential buildings in Neighborhood (N) districts are generally capped at 2.5 stories; mixed-use and commercial districts allow greater heights, reviewed through the development approval process.

Key details: Residential max height: 2.5 stories (N-districts). Mixed-use max height: 3–4 stories (NX/DX). Governing code: Ch. 134 & 135 §135-2. Measurement standard: Ch. 135 §135-3. Variance body: Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Exceeding height limits is a zoning code violation; Zoning Enforcement Division may require reduction or removal; variances required prospectively before construction.

The Bottom Line

Des Moines's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Des Moines is broadly strict or permissive.

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.