Fire Regulations in Des Moines, IA (2026)
6 verified fire regulations for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pit Rules
Des Moines allows recreational fire pits with conditions: must use clean dry firewood, be contained in a pit or ring, maintained 15 feet from structures, and attended at all times. No burning of trash, yard waste, or treated wood.
Des Moines Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsFireworks
Iowa legalized consumer fireworks in 2017 under Iowa Code Chapter 727. Des Moines allows consumer fireworks June 1–July 8 and December 10–January 3, with permitted hours of 9 AM to 10 PM (extended to 11 PM on July 4 and December 31).
Des Moines Fireworks Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsIowa Code § 727.2 (Fireworks)
727.2 Fireworks. 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section: a. "Consumer fireworks" includes first-class consumer fireworks and second-class consumer fireworks as those terms are defined in section 10A.519, subsection 1. "Consumer fireworks" does not include novelties enumerated in chapter 3 of the American pyrotechnics association's standard 87-1 or display fireworks enumerated in chapter 4...
Brush Clearance
Des Moines adopts the International Fire Code via Chapter 46, which requires property owners to cut down and remove weeds, grass, vines, or other combustible vegetation that could be ignited and endanger property. Accumulations of combustible waste in yards or vacant lots are also prohibited.
Des Moines Requires Removal of Combustible Vegetation on Private Property
Some RestrictionsOutdoor Burning
Open burning of refuse, rubbish, garbage, and landscape waste is prohibited in Des Moines under Polk County Air Quality regulations. Only recreational fires for cooking and warmth are permitted with specific conditions.
Des Moines Outdoor Burning Rules
Heavy RestrictionsPolk County Open Burn Regulation Summary, Section 5-7
5-7. Open Burning Prohibited (a) Prohibition No person shall allow, cause or permit open burning of combustible materials within Polk County except as provided in 5.7(1-9). For purposes of this Section, a person shall be deemed to have permitted the open burning if that person permits the setting or use of open burning for the disposal of refuse, rubbish, garbage or other combustible material u...
Wildfire Zones
Des Moines has no local wildfire-zone overlay or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) designation. The city adopts the International Fire Code (Chapter 46) for general fire prevention; open-burning and fire-hazard rules apply citywide, not via mapped fire zones.
Des Moines Has No Designated Wildfire Zone Map
Few RestrictionsPropane Storage
Des Moines follows the Iowa-adopted International Fire Code under Chapter 8, capping residential propane cylinder size and quantity, requiring outdoor storage with setbacks from buildings, ignition sources, and property lines.