Property Maintenance in Des Moines, IA (2026)
3 verified property maintenance rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Property Blight
Des Moines can declare any unsafe, dangerous, or unfit structure a public nuisance, order it vacated immediately, and repair or demolish it at the owner's expense if the owner doesn't act first.
Des Moines Dangerous Building Nuisance Abatement
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 60-191
Any structure or premises declared to be a public nuisance and unfit for human habitation or use, and so designated by the administrator, shall immediately be vacated and the nuisance shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or any other city-approved corrective action. The owner(s) shall be responsible for the vacation and abatement of the nuisance at such owner's expense. If not...
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Des Moines lets weeds on a vacant lot grow past ten inches only if it sits 100+ feet from a street, public property, or developed land: otherwise the weed official can order it cut and bill the owner.
Des Moines Vacant Lot Weed Limits
Some RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 42-569(5)
Weeds and other growth on any undeveloped area shall be permitted to exceed ten inches in height if any of the following apply: ... c. Such weed growth or growth of vegetation with a height of more than ten inches is located a distance of 100 feet or more from any public street, publicly-owned property, or any developed area.
Snow & Sidewalk Clearing
Des Moines property owners, tenants, and lessees must clear snow and ice from abutting public sidewalks within 48 hours after a storm ends, or face administrative penalties and city-ordered removal billed to them.
Des Moines Sidewalk Snow Removal Deadline
Some RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 102-124
The owner or tenant or lessee of any real estate abutting a public sidewalk shall remove snow and ice from the sidewalk within a reasonable time but in no case more than 48 hours following the cessation of the weather event by which such snow or ice was deposited; provided, however, that in extraordinary weather circumstances the director of public works or his or her designated representative ...
Looking for Polk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Moines city rules.
Property Maintenance in Polk County →