Des Moines, IA Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Permit and Development Center
- Governing code
- State Electrical Code, adopted locally
- Permit scope
- Separate permit per building
- Exemption
- Wiring 50 volts or less
- Fee basis
- Set by city council resolution
Summary
Des Moines requires a permit from the Permit and Development Center before any electrical work or equipment installation, under the city's adopted State Electrical Code.
No person shall perform any electrical work nor install electrical equipment in or upon any building or property without first securing from the Permit and Development Center a permit therefore; nor shall any alteration or change be made in the wiring of any building, or in any electrical installation therein or thereon, either before or after inspection, nor shall any electric current be connected to any wires, or apparatus, without notifying the electrical inspector and securing a permit therefore. A separate permit shall be obtained for each building. A fee for each electrical permit shall be paid to the building official in the amount set in the schedule of fees adopted by the city council by resolution.
(O.15,545)
Secs. 26-402—26-404. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
No one may perform electrical work, install electrical equipment, or alter existing wiring in a Des Moines building without first getting a permit from the Permit and Development Center, per Municipal Code § 26-401. A separate permit is required for each building, and the fee is set by city council resolution. The underlying technical rules come from the State Electrical Code, adopted into city law under § 26-400 pursuant to Iowa Code § 103.6. No permit is needed for wiring rated 50 volts or less (§ 26-407(e)). This applies inside Des Moines city limits only. West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Clive, Windsor Heights, and Pleasant Hill each administer their own permitting under their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Work performed without a permit, or connecting electric current without notifying the electrical inspector, violates § 26-401. Only licensed electrical contractors and their licensed master/journeyman/apprentice workers may perform the work under §§ 26-450 and 26-451; unlicensed work is a separate violation enforceable by the building official.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to rewire an outlet in my Des Moines home?
Can a homeowner do their own electrical work in Des Moines?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
Compare Des Moines to another location·View the Iowa building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.