Property Maintenance in Des Moines, IA (2026)
4 verified property maintenance rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Trash Bin Storage
Des Moines Chapter 98 (Solid Waste) regulates residential garbage container specifications and placement. City-issued wheeled carts must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day, no earlier than 5 p.m. the previous evening, and within 18 inches of the street.
Des Moines Trash Bin Placement and Container Rules
Some RestrictionsProperty Blight
Des Moines enforces a Blighted Structure Code under Chapter 60, Article III, authorizing the city to order repair, rehabilitation, or demolition of properties deemed blighted. Owners must remediate or face city-led abatement with costs assessed against the property.
Blighted Structures Subject to Repair or Demolition Orders
Heavy RestrictionsVacant Lot Maintenance
Des Moines prohibits vegetation over 12 inches and accumulations of junk, debris, or rubbish on vacant lots under the city's nuisance code. The Neighborhood Services Zoning Enforcement Division inspects and can abate violations at the owner's expense.
Vacant Lots Must Be Free of Weeds and Debris
Some RestrictionsGarage Sale Rules
Des Moines residents may hold no more than two garage sales per year, each lasting a maximum of four consecutive days. Sales must involve used household goods sold by the owner on a non-commercial, non-profit basis. Exceeding these limits requires a business license.