Rental Property Rules in Des Moines, IA (2026)
5 verified rental property rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Just Cause Eviction
Des Moines does not impose a just-cause eviction standard. Under the Iowa URLTA, Iowa Code Ch. 562A, landlords may end month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice for any non-discriminatory reason.
No Just-Cause Eviction Standard
Few RestrictionsIowa Code § 562A.34 (Periodic tenancy — holdover remedies)
562A.34 Periodic tenancy — holdover remedies. 1. The landlord or the tenant may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least ten days prior to the termination date specified in the notice. 2. The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date specified...
Rental Registration
Every rental dwelling or rooming unit in Des Moines needs a rental business license before an owner can lease it, backed by a mandatory pre-occupancy inspection.
Des Moines Rental Business License Required
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 60-30
No owner(s) shall rent any dwelling unit or rooming unit unless that owner(s) holds a valid rental business license for such property.
Security Deposit Rules
Iowa Code Ch. 562A.12 limits residential security deposits to two months rent and requires return within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. Des Moines follows this state standard.
Security Deposit Capped at Two Months
Some RestrictionsIowa Code § 562A.12 (Rental deposits)
562A.12 Rental deposits. 1. A landlord shall not demand or receive as a security deposit an amount or value in excess of two months' rent. 2. All rental deposits shall be held by the landlord for the tenant... in a bank or savings and loan association or credit union which is insured by an agency of the federal government. Rental deposits shall not be commingled with the personal funds of the l...
Tenant Anti-Harassment
Des Moines does not have a standalone tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenant protections come from Iowa Code 562A.36 retaliation rules and federal Fair Housing Act standards prohibiting harassment based on protected class.
Anti-Harassment via URLTA Retaliation Rules
Some RestrictionsIowa Code § 562A.36 (Retaliatory conduct prohibited)
562A.36 Retaliatory conduct prohibited. 1. Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession after: a. The tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materi...
Repairs & Habitability
Des Moines requires a licensed, inspected rental unit to maintain at least 68°F indoors when it's below 60°F outside, alongside code-wide standards for structural, electrical, plumbing and sanitary conditions under Chapter 60's Rental Property Maintenance Code.
Des Moines Rental Habitability Heating Standard
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 60-144
When the temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, every rental dwelling unit and rooming unit shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a minimum room temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit at a point of three feet above the floor and two feet from exterior walls in all habitable spaces, bathrooms and toilet rooms. Exceptions: When the outdoor temperature is below the...
Looking for Polk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Moines city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Polk County →