Des Moines's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Des Moines, Iowa, there are 12 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.

Host Presence Rule

Des Moines does not require an STR operator to live onsite during guest stays. Both hosted and unhosted whole-home rentals are allowed citywide if the operator holds a valid short-term rental permit under Zoning Ch. 134-2.6.4.

Key details: Onsite host required: No. Annual unhosted cap: None. Local responder: Required. Code section: Ch. 134-2.6.4. Severity: Permissive.

Operating without a valid permit, without a designated local responder, or in a district where STRs are not allowed can trigger civil penalties and permit revocation.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Des Moines gives residents more flexibility on host presence rule.

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Des Moines does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Investor-owned and second-home STRs are eligible for permits under Ch. 134-2.6.4 if zoning, life-safety, insurance, and local-responder requirements are met.

Key details: Primary-residence rule: None. Investor STRs allowed: Yes. Permit required: Yes. Zoning section: Ch. 134-2.6.4. HOA overlay: Not enforced by city.

Misrepresenting occupancy status on a permit application, operating without a permit, or violating zoning-district limits can lead to revocation, civil penalties, and disqualification from re-permitting.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Des Moines gives residents more flexibility on primary-residence-only rule.

Night Caps

Des Moines imposes no maximum number of rental nights per year on permitted short-term rentals. Operators with a valid Ch. 134-2.6.4 permit may book all 365 nights subject to occupancy, parking, and noise rules.

Key details: Annual night cap: None. Hotel-motel tax: Owed every night. Permit conditions apply: Yes. Code section: Ch. 134-2.6.4. Severity: Permissive.

Operating beyond permit conditions, repeat noise or parking complaints, or failure to remit hotel-motel tax can lead to fines and permit non-renewal.

The rules around night caps in Des Moines lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Des Moines may suspend or revoke a short-term rental permit when a property accumulates documented nuisance, occupancy, or zoning violations. Operators with repeat strikes face escalating penalties under Ch. 134-2.6.4 and Code Compliance Ch. 28.

Key details: Strike threshold: Discretionary. Outcome: Suspension or revocation. Reviewing department: Development Services. Renewal eligibility: May be denied. Severity: Moderate.

Three or more substantiated complaints in a 12-month window typically draw a suspension; ongoing nuisance behavior or unpaid civil penalties trigger revocation and disqualification from re-permitting.

Host Platform Liability

Des Moines places STR compliance liability on the individual permit holder, not on Airbnb or Vrbo. Platforms are not required to verify city permits before listing, and enforcement runs through the host under Ch. 134-2.6.4.

Key details: Platform pre-check required: No. Liable party: Permit holder. State tax collected by platform: Yes. City enforcement: Targets host. Severity: Moderate.

Listing an unpermitted Des Moines property on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar exposes the host, not the platform, to civil penalties, lost income, and potential ban from future permitting.

Occupancy Limits

Des Moines requires a rental certificate for short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) and sets occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms. Only one STR is permitted per single-family detached structure, and at least one guest must be 21 or older.

Key details: Max stay length: Under 30 consecutive days. Occupancy basis: Number of bedrooms. STRs per structure: 1 per single-family home. Min guest age: At least 1 adult aged 21+. Insurance required: $500,000 liability minimum.

Operating without a valid rental certificate or exceeding occupancy limits may result in fines and revocation of the rental certificate under Chapter 60 enforcement provisions.

Insurance Requirements

Des Moines requires all short-term commercial rental operators to maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage arising from rental use, as a condition of obtaining and keeping a rental certificate.

Key details: Min. liability coverage: $500,000. Rental duration covered: Under 30 consecutive days. Certificate validity: 5 years, then renewal required. Max daily fine: $750 per day.

Violations may result in fines up to $750 per day and revocation of the rental certificate. Operating without a valid certificate is also a violation.

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

Registration Rules

Des Moines requires every short-term commercial rental to be approved by the Board of Adjustment and to obtain a rental certificate from the Neighborhood Inspections Zoning Division before listing. Rules sit in Chapter 134 (Zoning Ordinance) Sections 134-2.2.5, 134-3.5.12, 134-3.5.16, 134-3.8.3, and 134-6.4.8 as amended by Ordinance 15,844 (eff. December 16, 2019).

Key details: Zoning Sections: 134-2.2.5, -3.5.12, -3.5.16, -3.8.3, -6.4.8. Enabling Ordinance: 15,844 (eff. 12/16/2019). Approval Required: Board of Adjustment + rental certificate. Liability Insurance: Minimum $500,000. Inspections Phone: 515-283-4046.

Operating a short-term rental without Board of Adjustment approval or a current rental certificate violates Chapter 134 and the Rental Housing Code in Chapter 60. The Neighborhood Inspections Zoning Division can issue notices of violation, suspend or revoke the rental certificate, and pursue civil penalties through the Des Moines Municipal Court.

Taxes & Fees

Short-term rental operators in Des Moines must collect and remit Iowa hotel/motel tax (5%) and local option tax. Permit and application fees apply through the Board of Adjustment process.

Key details: State Hotel Tax: 5% of gross receipts. Iowa Sales Tax: 6% on lodging. Filing: Iowa Dept. of Revenue. Threshold: Rentals under 31 days.

Failure to collect and remit taxes may result in penalties from the Iowa Department of Revenue including back taxes, interest, and fines.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental guests in Des Moines must comply with the city's noise control ordinance under Chapter 42. Operators are responsible for informing guests of quiet hours and noise limits. Repeated noise complaints can jeopardize STR permits.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM–7 AM. Operator Duty: Inform guests of rules. Complaints: Police + Zoning enforcement. Risk: Permit revocation possible.

Noise violations are simple misdemeanors. Repeated complaints may lead to STR permit revocation through Board of Adjustment review.

Permit Requirements

Des Moines requires short-term rental operators to obtain a rental certificate and board of adjustment approval before operating. STRs are defined as commercial lodging for less than 30 consecutive days. Minimum $500,000 liability insurance is required.

Key details: Definition: Less than 30 consecutive days. Approval: Board of Adjustment required. Insurance: $500,000 minimum liability. Local Contact: 24/7 availability required. Certification: Rental certificate required.

Operating without a permit is a municipal infraction. Fines up to $625 per day of violation. The city can issue cease-and-desist orders.

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

Parking Rules

Short-term rentals in Des Moines must comply with standard residential parking requirements. The Board of Adjustment may impose specific parking conditions as part of STR permit approval.

Key details: Off-Street: May be required by Board. Snow Parking: Alternate-side rules apply. Conditions: Set during permit approval. Topic: Parking Rules.

Parking violations carry standard city fines. Failure to comply with Board of Adjustment parking conditions may affect STR permit status.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Des Moines gives residents more room on short-term rentals. 3 of the 12 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

This guide is based on Des Moines's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.