Building Safety in Des Moines, IA (2026)

Iowa Code §§ 135.101–135.102 (Childhood lead poisoning prevention program)

135.101 Childhood lead poisoning prevention program. There is established a childhood lead poisoning prevention program within the department. The department shall implement and review programs necessary to eliminate potentially dangerous toxic lead levels in children in Iowa... 135.102 Rules. The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 17A, regarding the: ... 3. Maximum blood lead le...

Iowa Code § 89A.6 (Elevator inspections — reports — nonliability)

89A.6 Inspections — reports — nonliability. All new and existing conveyances, except dormant conveyances, shall be tested and inspected in accordance with the following schedule: 1. Every new or altered conveyance shall be inspected and tested before the operating permit is issued. 2. Every existing conveyance registered with the director shall be inspected within one year after the effective d...

Des Moines Municipal Code § 26-310.10

R309.1 Townhomes automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouses. Exceptions: (1)An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required where additions or alterations are made to existing townhouses that do not have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system installed.(2)Townhouse structures that contain eig...

Iowa Code § 237A.2 (Licensing of child care centers)

237A.2 Licensing of child care centers. 1. A person shall not establish or operate a child care center without obtaining a license under the provisions of this chapter. A center may operate for a specified period of time, to be established by rule of the department, if application for a license has been made... The department shall issue a license if it determines that all of the following cond...

Des Moines Municipal Code § 60-167

Means of egress doors shall be readily openable from the side from which egress is to be made without the need for keys, special knowledge or effort, except where the door hardware conforms to that permitted by another applicable code.

Iowa Code § 103A.7 (State building code — sustainable design / green building standards)

103A.7 State building code. 1. The state building code commissioner with the approval of the advisory council is hereby empowered and directed to formulate and adopt and from time to time amend or revise and to promulgate... reasonable rules designed to establish minimum safeguards in the erection and construction of buildings and structures... 2. The rules shall include reasonable provisions f...

Des Moines Municipal Code § 60-175

Carbon monoxide alarms are required in rental structures and rooming houses if the structure is served by a fuel-burning appliance or has an attached garage. Installations shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code, the manufacturer's specifications and in the following locations: (a) Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate ...

Des Moines Municipal Code § 26-135

No person shall perform any work for which a permit is required under this chapter without first securing a permit from the building official. A property owner who allows, or has knowledge of work being performed without a permit as required by this chapter shall be responsible for ensuring permits are obtained, inspected, and approved. A separate permit shall be obtained for each building, ind...

Des Moines Municipal Code § 26-401

No person shall perform any electrical work nor install electrical equipment in or upon any building or property without first securing from the Permit and Development Center a permit therefore; nor shall any alteration or change be made in the wiring of any building, or in any electrical installation therein or thereon, either before or after inspection, nor shall any electric current be conne...

Des Moines Municipal Code § 26-606

Plumbing permits are required for any installation, alteration, repair, replacement, or remodel to a plumbing system regulated by the State Plumbing Code. A fee for each plumbing permit shall be paid to the building official in the amount set in the schedule of fees adopted by the city council by resolution.

Des Moines Municipal Code § 26-150

(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...