West Des Moines, IA Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- New multifamily, rental condo, rental townhouse
- Latch plate fastener
- Lag screw, 3 inches, into stud 1.5 inches
- Patio door lock
- Foot bolt lock at grade level
- View port angle
- 180 degrees, all entry doors
- Governing code
- IBC §1010.1 as amended, §8-2A-8
Summary
In the City of West Des Moines, new multifamily apartment, rental condominium and rental townhouse projects must install reinforced deadbolt latch plates, foot-bolt locks on grade-level sliding patio doors, and 180-degree view ports on every entry door under a Building Code amendment to the IBC's means-of-egress door rules.
8-2A-8: MEANS OF EGRESS (CHAPTER 10 OF THE IBC): Amend Section 1010.1 of the IBC (Doors) by adding the following provision: New multifamily apartments, rental condominium and rental townhouse projects shall provide the following security measures: 1. Latch plates for door locks and deadbolts shall be installed with lag screws, or similar, at least 3 inches in length, and capable of attaching through the door frame at least 1 ½ inches into the stud wall framing. 2. Sliding patio doors at grade level shall have foot bolt locks, or similar locks. 3. View ports capable of 180 degree viewing angle shall be installed in all entry doors.
Full Breakdown
City Code section 8-2A-8 amends International Building Code Section 1010.1 (Doors) with security specifications that apply specifically to new multifamily apartment, rental condominium and rental townhouse construction. Latch plates for door locks and deadbolts must be installed with lag screws, or a similar fastener, at least three inches long and capable of driving through the door frame at least one and a half inches into the stud wall framing, a step meant to keep a deadbolt strike plate from being kicked loose of the framing.
Sliding patio doors at grade level must have foot bolt locks or a similar secondary lock beyond the standard sliding latch, closing off a common forced-entry point on ground-floor units. Every entry door in these projects must also carry a view port capable of a full 180-degree viewing angle so a resident can see the entire width of a landing before opening the door. The same section separately amends IBC Section 1010.1.5 to require frost protection under exterior landings that sit level with the interior door, and amends Section 1015.9 to require a guardrail along a retaining wall within 72 inches of a walking surface where the wall is 30 inches or taller.
The Building Division, a division of Development Services, reviews these features during plan review and building permit inspection for qualifying rental and multifamily projects before a certificate of occupancy issues.
Violations & Fines
Constructing or converting a covered multifamily, rental condominium or rental townhouse project without the required latch plate reinforcement, foot-bolt patio door locks or entry door view ports is a violation of Chapter 8, Article A and is a municipal infraction under Title 1, Chapter 4, Section 1, carrying a civil penalty of up to $750.00 per violation and up to $1,000.00 for a repeat violation; the Building Official may also withhold or revoke permit approval and a certificate of occupancy until the security measures are installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do single-family homes in West Des Moines need these door security features?
What size fastener is required for a deadbolt latch plate in a new apartment building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Des Moines
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