Des Moines limits building heights through Chapter 135 building-type standards and Chapter 134 district rules. Residential buildings in Neighborhood (N) districts are generally capped at 2.5 stories; mixed-use and commercial districts allow greater heights, reviewed through the development approval process.
Chapter 134 (Zoning Ordinance No. 15,816) and Chapter 135 (Planning and Design Ordinance) jointly establish structure height limits. Chapter 135 §135-2 building-type tables set maximum heights by building type: single-family detached House types (A–D) are capped at 2.5 stories in most N-districts; House D in N5/NX districts allows up to 2.5 stories (approx. 35 ft). Row and Flat building types in mixed-use (NX, DX) districts may reach 3–4 stories. Downtown (DX) and commercial zones have greater height allowances, governed by Ch. 134 district standards. All heights are measured per §135-3 (Measuring Building Type Regulations). Structures exceeding district maximums require a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment or a planned unit development (PUD) approval.
Exceeding height limits is a zoning code violation; Zoning Enforcement Division may require reduction or removal; variances required prospectively before construction.
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See how Des Moines's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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