Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Des Moines, IA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Property owners abutting a public sidewalk in Des Moines must keep it safe, well-repaired, and free of defects, or face civil penalties after a 180-day notice to fix it.
Des Moines Sidewalk Repair Responsibility
Some RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 102-42
The owner of any property abutting a public sidewalk shall maintain the sidewalk in a safe condition, in a state of good repair, and free from defects. The abutting property owner may be liable for damages caused by failure to maintain the sidewalk. ... Failure of the abutting property owner to complete the maintenance within 180 days from the date of the notice or within such extended time as ...
Obstruction Rules
Des Moines prohibits leaving goods, wares, or merchandise on any public sidewalk, even briefly, except for the short time needed to move them in transit or under a separate business-use permit.
Des Moines Bans Depositing Goods on Sidewalks
Significant RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 102-457
No person shall use any part of the sidewalks of the city for the deposit of any goods, wares or merchandise, in bulk or otherwise, except the necessary time consumed in transit or as otherwise provided in this article.
Encroachment Permits
Des Moines requires a written license from the city engineer before anyone builds, uses, or maintains a private encroachment, like a canopy, planter, or trash enclosure, on a public sidewalk, street, or alley right-of-way.
Des Moines Right-of-Way Encroachment License
Some RestrictionsDes Moines Municipal Code § 102-605
Except as provided in subsection 102-610(d) of this article, no person shall construct, use or maintain any temporary or removeable encroachment not provided for in subsection 102-602 under, in, upon or over the surface of any public property, unless and until a written license is obtained from the city pursuant to this article. No such license shall be required for any encroachment exempted pu...
Looking for Polk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Des Moines city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Polk County →