How Des Moines Handles Public Conduct: A Practical Guide

Des Moines maintains 123 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with public conduct. 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.

Skateboarding Rules

Skateboards, coasters and similar devices are banned from Des Moines streets, highways, alleys and parking garages, and from public art, planters, stairways and amphitheater-style seating areas, under Municipal Code section 102-4.

Key details: Banned locations: Streets, highways, alleys, parking garages. Also banned on: Art, monuments, planters, stairways, amphitheaters. Penalty: Misdemeanor fine or municipal infraction. Code sections: Ban § 102-4, penalty § 102-3. Coverage: City streets and public property only.

Violating section 102-4 is a simple misdemeanor fine or a municipal infraction civil penalty under section 102-3.

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

Loitering Rules

Des Moines bans grouping up and loitering on sidewalks, street corners, or public buildings when it blocks people from passing. Violators face a misdemeanor fine or a municipal infraction citation under Municipal Code § 70-38.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 70-38. What's banned: Grouping and blocking passage. Related sections: § 70-37 doorways, § 70-39 govt buildings. Municipal infraction penalty: Up to $750, $1,000 repeat. Enforcement: Des Moines Police Department.

A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by the fine set in § 1-15 (tied to Iowa Code § 903.1) or a municipal infraction civil penalty of up to $750, rising to $1,000 for a repeat offense, per § 70-1 and § 1-15.

Public Urination

Des Moines makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate on any street, alley, sidewalk, or skywalk bridge or corridor open to public view; the ban doesn't apply to private restrooms or public restrooms designated for that purpose.

Key details: Citation: Des Moines Municipal Code § 70-182. Covered locations: Streets, alleys, sidewalks, skywalk bridges/corridors. Exception: Private or designated public restrooms only. Penalty: Simple misdemeanor fine, Iowa Code § 903.1. Enforced by: Des Moines Police Department.

Violating § 70-182 is a simple misdemeanor under the code's general penalty section, punishable by a fine under Iowa Code § 903.1(1)(a); each incident is charged separately.

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Iowa Smokefree Air Act bans smoking in most enclosed workplaces and at outdoor city facilities; Des Moines extends bans to playgrounds and Principal Park while leaving sidewalks generally permissive.

Key details: Authority: IA Code Ch. 142D. Indoor Workplaces: Smokefree statewide. Vape: Treated as tobacco. Casinos: Partial exemption.

Civil penalties up to $100 first offense, escalating to $500, business-license consequences for non-compliant venues, Polk County Health enforcement.

Loud Party Ordinance

Des Moines loud-party calls trigger DSMPD response under noise ordinance Ch. 42, with second-response fees, host liability for underage drinking, and possible nuisance designations for repeat addresses.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10pm weekdays, 11pm weekends. Second Response: Fee charged. Social Host: Iowa §123.47 liability. Nuisance Property: After repeat calls.

Response fees, simple-misdemeanor citations, Iowa social-host civil liability for injuries, and nuisance-property designations for repeat offenders.

Jaywalking

Des Moines pedestrians who cross outside a marked or unmarked intersection crosswalk must yield to all vehicles, and jaywalking is barred outright on 30-mph-plus streets and in business or school districts under Sec. 114-328.

Key details: Governing section: Municipal Code § 114-328. Outside a crosswalk: Must yield to all vehicles. 30 mph+ or business/school district: Crossing outside crosswalk is banned. Penalty: Misdemeanor fine under Sec. 1-15. Applies to: Des Moines city limits only.

Jaywalking outside these bounds is a misdemeanor under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-15, fined per Iowa Code § 903.1(1)(a); Des Moines police can also just issue a warning at an officer's discretion.

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

Public Alcohol Use

Des Moines bans drinking alcoholic liquor, wine or beer on public streets, sidewalks or highways, with a narrow carve-out for wine or beer along an active parade route or a street closed by the city council.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 70-123. Where banned: streets, sidewalks, highways. Parade exception: wine/beer on sidewalk, parade route. Closed-street exception: wine/beer during council-ordered closure. Penalty basis: misdemeanor, general penalty § 1-15.

No specific penalty is set in § 70-123, so it falls under the Code's general penalty, § 1-15: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine capped at the amount set in Iowa Code § 903.1(1)(a).

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

The Bottom Line

Des Moines is tougher than many cities when it comes to public conduct. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 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.

These rules come from Des Moines's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.