Accessory Structures in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
3 verified accessory structures rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, an accessory dwelling unit, called a second dwelling unit in the zoning code, can be attached, detached, or built into a garage on a single-family lot without meeting the district's maximum density limit. City Code section 9-5-4(F) sets the size cap, utility rules, and access standards.
West Des Moines Second Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-5-4(F)
F. Second Dwelling Units: ... These dwelling units shall conform to all applicable codes for dwellings within the specific zoning district except for the following: 1. Lot shall meet the minimum bulk regulations for the respective single family zoning district. Lots with second dwelling units are not required to meet the maximum density requirements noted in Section 9-7-4, Table 7.1 of City Cod...
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, a detached shed in a single-family district cannot exceed 1,000 square feet of combined accessory building area under Zoning Code section 9-14-6, and exterior walls are capped at 12 feet in height. Taller or longer shed walls near the property line trigger a setback equal to the wall's height, and play sheds follow the same limits.
West Des Moines Shed Size and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-14-6
b. Detached accessory buildings may occupy up to ten percent (10%) of the total lot area in which it is located, except, in RS, R-1, SF-VJ, and SF-CR Zoning Districts and for religious, institutional, or civic uses within residential districts, the square footage for an accessory building, or the combined square footage of all detached accessory buildings on the property, shall not exceed one t...
Tiny Homes
West Des Moines allows a tiny home as a long-term dwelling under City Code Section 9-5-4.E.4 only once it is occupied more than 180 consecutive days a year, and it requires a dedicated 10-foot by 10-foot storage shed or 20-foot by 14-foot garage on the same property for the occupants' exclusive use.
West Des Moines Tiny Home Accessory Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-5-4.E.4
4. Tiny Home: Is to be used as a place for long term residential occupancy: greater than one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days in any calendar year. a. Parking and drives: (1) Must meet the off-street parking regulations for the applicable residential use (chapter 15 of this title) except when utilized as a second dwelling unit no off-street parking is required to be provided for the ...