Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Des Moines, IA (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
Des Moines prohibits sleeping on public sidewalks, streets, alleys and doorways citywide, plus building entrances abutting sidewalks. Police must offer a one-time shelter ride first; violators who refuse face a $15 misdemeanor fine with no jail time.
Des Moines Bans Sleeping on Public Sidewalks
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 102-407
(a)No person may sleep on public sidewalks, streets, alleys, doorways at any time as a matter of individual and public safety.(b)No person may sleep in any pedestrian or vehicular entrance to public or private property abutting a public sidewalk.(c)In addition to any other remedy provided by law, any person found in non-compliance of this section may be immediately removed from the premises.
Encampment Sanitation
Des Moines bans camping on any public property citywide, sidewalks, streets, parks, rights-of-way, and lets the city post a 24-hour notice then clear the campsite and its contents.
Des Moines Camping Ban and Removal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 102-408
No person may occupy a campsite in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right of way, park, bench, or any other publicly owned property or under any bridge or viaduct, unless authorized by the city manager or their designee or otherwise specifically authorized by section 74-101.
Looking for Polk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Moines city rules.
Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Polk County →