Des Moines's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In Des Moines, Iowa, there are 5 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.

Parkway Planting

Des Moines Forestry Division regulates planting, pruning, and removal of trees in the public parkway between sidewalk and curb; residents must obtain a permit and choose from an approved species list to plant or remove parkway trees.

Key details: Lead division: DSM Forestry. Permit: Required, free. Banned species: Ash. Status: Tree City USA. Code chapter: Ch. 102.

Unauthorized parkway planting or removal can incur fines of $100-$750 plus tree replacement costs charged to the owner.

Urban Forest Equity

Des Moines targets equitable urban canopy expansion, prioritizing low-canopy neighborhoods such as Capitol East and parts of the south side, with the Climate Action Plan setting a 40% citywide canopy goal and Forestry partnering with nonprofits on planting drives.

Key details: Canopy target: 40% by 2050. Current range: 20%-50%+ by area. Partner: Trees Forever. Funding: IRA urban forestry grants. Plan: Climate Action 2024.

Aspirational policy: no penalties on private property owners; equity planting is supported via grants rather than mandates.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Des Moines gives residents more flexibility on urban forest equity.

Tree Removal Permits

Des Moines requires an approved tree removal and mitigation plan for any development activity triggering grading permits, site plans, or subdivision plats under Chapter 42, Article X. Tree replacement plantings are required to offset removals.

Key details: Governing code: Ch. 42, Art. X, Sec. 42-550+. Trigger: Grading, site plan, or subdivision permit. Submission required: 3 copies of mitigation plan. Mitigation: Replacement trees required. Established by: Ordinance No. 14,889.

No development permit will be issued without an approved tree removal plan; violations may result in stop-work orders and restoration requirements.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Des Moines Chapter 42, Article X requires a tree removal and mitigation plan before obtaining grading permits, site plans, or subdivision approvals. Mature trees must be preserved or replaced at a ratio of one replacement tree per 2,000 square feet of removed canopy area.

Key details: Trigger for mitigation plan: Grading permits, site plans, subdivisions. Replacement ratio: 1 tree per 2,000 sq ft canopy removed. Governing sections: Ch. 42, Art. X, §§ 42-550 to 42-556. Heritage tree term used: "Mature tree" and "canopied area". Enforcement agency: Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Unpermitted removal of protected trees or failure to comply with a mitigation plan can result in stop-work orders, mandatory replanting or mitigation payments, and civil penalties under Ch. 42 and § 1-15 of the municipal code.

Tree Replacement Requirements

Des Moines requires a tree removal and mitigation plan for any development activity under Chapter 42, Article X. No grading permit, site plan, or subdivision plat is approved until a plan is filed. Preserved trees must be protected during construction, and removed trees must be replaced.

Key details: Trigger: Any grading/site plan/plat approval. Plan required: Tree removal and mitigation plan. Replacement basis: Caliper-inch mitigation ratio. Governing sections: Ch. 42 §§ 42-550–42-555. Administered by: City Engineer and Parks Dept..

No permit or development approval is issued without an approved tree plan. Unauthorized removal of protected trees may result in stop-work orders, fines, and mandatory replacement at a penalty multiplier ratio per § 42-555.

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

The Bottom Line

Des Moines's tree protection 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.

All of the above reflects Des Moines's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.