Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Des Moines, IA (2026)
3 verified zoning overlays & bonuses rules for Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Specific Plans Overview
Des Moines adopted PlanDSM 2040 as the comprehensive plan and replaced its old Euclidean zoning with a form-based code in Chapter 134 of the Municipal Code, regulating land use, building form, and street character across distinct context districts.
PlanDSM 2040 and form-based zoning code
Some RestrictionsDensity Bonus Law
Des Moines offers density bonuses, height increases, and parking reductions for projects that include affordable units, especially in downtown and mixed-use corridors under PlanDSM 2040 implementation tools and tax increment financing agreements.
Affordable housing density bonus provisions
Some RestrictionsTransit-Oriented Communities (TOC)
Des Moines encourages higher-density transit-oriented development along DART bus corridors and at proposed bus rapid transit stations, with PlanDSM 2040 prioritizing walkable mixed-use nodes near MLK and University Avenue routes.