Polk County limits maximum building coverage by zoning district, from just 5% in agricultural districts up to 40% in the higher-density residential and mixed-use districts. Coverage counts all principal and accessory buildings. Cities apply their own coverage limits.
The Polk County Zoning Ordinance's Table of Single-Family Bulk Standards (Table 6.1) sets maximum building coverage for single-family development by district on unincorporated land: Agricultural (AG) and Agricultural Transition (AT) 5%; Estate Residential (ER) 8%; Rural Residential (RR) 15%; Low Density Residential (LDR) 30%; and Medium Density (MDR), High Density (HDR), and Mixed Use (MU) 40%. Building coverage is the portion of a lot covered by any and all buildings, including accessory buildings, and the combined footprint of principal and accessory buildings may not exceed the district limit. Separate impervious-surface and stormwater thresholds also apply near streams and for large developments. Incorporated cities set their own lot-coverage rules.
Exceeding the district building-coverage limit is a zoning violation subject to per-day civil penalties, a stop-work order, and permit holds until brought into compliance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
polk-county-ia
Polk County allows backyard composting but regulates it through the Health Nuisance Regulation: a compost pile that harbors vermin, produces offensive odors,...
polk-county-ia
Polk County has no ordinance for or against artificial turf on residential lots. Installation on unincorporated land is generally unrestricted; cities and HO...
polk-county-ia
Polk County has no ordinance banning native or prairie landscaping, and the county promotes native roadside vegetation. The one legal limit: your planting ca...
polk-county-ia
Iowa has no state ban on collecting rainwater, and Polk County sets no rain-barrel ordinance. Residents may capture roof runoff in barrels or cisterns; only ...
polk-county-ia
Polk County sets no lawn-watering schedule. Central Iowa's water is managed by Central Iowa Water Works / Des Moines Water Works, which can impose voluntary ...
polk-county-ia
Iowa Code 317.10 requires every landowner to destroy all noxious weeds on their land as directed by the county board of supervisors. Polk County's Weed Commi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in this county.
See how West Des Moines's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.