West Des Moines, IA Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Owner vehicles rebuilt/repaired per year
- no more than 2
- Where work can be done
- garage only, not accessory structures
- Outdoor equipment storage
- prohibited beyond residential norm
- Vehicles/trailers visible from right of way
- prohibited
- First-violation civil penalty
- up to $750.00
Summary
West Des Moines lets a resident work on their own vehicle at home only inside the garage, never in an accessory structure, and caps it at two vehicles rebuilt, repaired or reconstructed per year under City Code section 9-8-5. Mechanical or construction equipment cannot be stored outside, and no vehicles or trailers beyond normal residential use can be visible from the right of way.
11. No portion of an accessory structure, carport or similar structure, except a garage, shall be used for home occupation purposes. 12. No storage of mechanical/construction equipment shall be permitted on the premises, other than that normally associated with a residential use. 13. No vehicles or trailers except those normally incidental to a residential use shall be parked so as to be visible from the public right of way. ... ... 22. Any citizen who wishes to make other than minor repairs to his own vehicles must abide by the aforementioned conditions. No more than two (2) vehicles per year, owned by the occupant, shall be rebuilt, repaired, or reconstructed.
Full Breakdown
Section 9-8-5 of the Home Occupation Ordinance imposes specific limits on vehicle work at a residence. Subsection A11 bars any portion of an accessory structure, carport or similar structure, other than a garage, from being used for home occupation purposes, so engine or bodywork cannot move into a shed or carport even if the garage is full. Subsection A12 prohibits storing mechanical or construction equipment on the premises beyond what is normally associated with residential use, and A13 bars parking vehicles or trailers, other than those normally incidental to residential use, where they are visible from the public right of way.
Subsection A22 then addresses repairs to an owner's own vehicles directly: a resident who wants to do more than minor repairs must still follow those same conditions, and no more than two vehicles owned by the occupant can be rebuilt, repaired or reconstructed per year. Because auto repair also involves the general restrictions in section 9-8-5, work is further capped at 500 square feet of floor area if the public visits the property for the service, deliveries are barred outside 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Monday through Saturday under A16, and any nonresident help is limited to one employee under A3. The rules apply citywide to any residential lot, regardless of zoning district, wherever a home occupation permit under section 9-8-4 is in effect.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the two-vehicle annual limit, working outside the garage, storing equipment outdoors or leaving vehicles visible from the right of way violates the home occupation permit and section 9-8-5, exposing the resident to a municipal infraction under section 1-4-1: a civil penalty up to $750.00 for a first violation, up to $1,000.00 for a repeat violation, plus possible permit revocation by the Director of Community Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many of my own vehicles can I repair at home each year in West Des Moines?
Can I work on cars in my shed or carport instead of the garage?
Can I keep a project car or trailer parked in my driveway where neighbors can see it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Des Moines
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