West Des Moines, IA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Section 8-2A-1 adopts the 2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code as the City's Building Code and folds in the state-mandated Uniform Plumbing Code published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, along with the state-mandated mechanical and electrical codes. Section 8-2A-3 amends IBC/IRC Section 101.4 to confirm that the Iowa-adopted editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code and International Mechanical Code count as part of the City's requirements, with a City-specific modification restricting corrugated stainless steel gas tubing to arc-resistant listed products.

The Building Division, part of Development Services, reviews plans and permit applications and performs the required inspections; current City building inspectors and plans examiners are deemed qualified to do so. Permit holders must schedule required inspections themselves: failing to get an inspection before covering work, or going 180 days without contacting the City after permit approval, can void or revoke the permit and counts as working without a permit. All permit fees, set by City Council resolution, are collected by the Building Division and forwarded to Finance; if work starts before a permit issues, an investigation fee equal to the building permit fee applies. A permit holder who cancels within 180 days of issuance and before starting work can get up to 80 percent of paid fees refunded.