Des Moines, IA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code § 26-150
- Scheduling deadline
- 10 days after notice
- Enforcement
- Building official, permit freeze
- After-hours option
- Overtime inspection fee
- Applies to
- Des Moines city limits only
Summary
Des Moines requires permit holders to call for inspections as work progresses and to schedule them within ten days of notice or risk a permit freeze.
(a)The person doing any work for which a permit is required shall notify the building official that the work is ready for inspection. The building official shall perform the required inspection and issue verification noting the date and results of the inspection.(b)When a permit applicant is notified that inspections need to be scheduled, the applicant shall schedule such inspections within ten days of notification. If not so made, the building official may refuse to issue any other permits to the applicant or for the property until inspections are scheduled and approved.(c)All construction trades inspectors shall have the right to enter upon any property during reasonable hours in the discharge of their official duties. They are authorized and directed to inspect any and all building and environmental support system installations within the city and order the removal, reconfiguration or other modification, for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare, of any system or component that is not in compliance with the provisions of municipal ordinances and construction codes. Such order may mandate the isolation of affected systems or disconnection of utilities.(d)Inspections may be conducted outside of regular business hours pending staff availability. After hours inspections will be charged an overtime inspection fee in the amount set in the schedule of fees adopted by the city council by resolution. (O.15,545, 15,861)
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
Under Municipal Code § 26-150, the person doing permitted work must notify the building official when it's ready for inspection, and the official issues a written record of the date and result. Once notified that an inspection needs scheduling, the applicant has ten days to book it: miss that window and the building official can refuse any further permits for that applicant or property until inspections are scheduled and approved. Inspectors may enter property during reasonable hours to check building and environmental systems, and can order removal or disconnection of noncompliant components. After-hours inspections are available for an overtime fee set in the city's fee schedule.
Violations & Fines
Missing the 10-day scheduling window triggers a hold on all further permits for that applicant or property under § 26-150(b). Concealing work before inspection (§ 26-153) or ignoring a defect notice (§ 26-151, § 26-152) can lead to permit revocation, a misdemeanor citation, or a municipal infraction civil penalty under § 1-15, plus utility disconnection until re-inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who calls for a building inspection in Des Moines?
What happens if I don't schedule an inspection in time?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
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