Building Safety in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
In the City of West Des Moines, a single-family dwelling under 8,000 square feet of floor space, including the garage and covered porches and decks, is exempt from the automatic residential fire sprinkler mandate under the amended International Residential Code, and townhouse or two-family buildings under 12,000 square feet with fire-rated common walls get a similar exception.
Residential Fire Sprinkler Exceptions, WDM
Light RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-12
8-2A-12: BUILDING PLANNING (CHAPTER 3 OF THE IRC): ... Amend Section R313.2 of the IRC (One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems) by deleting the title and replacing it with the following: (Single Family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems) Further Amend Section R313.2 of the IRC (Single family dwellings automatic fire sprinkler systems) by adding the following Exce...
Childcare Center Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, a dwelling-based day care can serve up to eight people receiving custodial care as a Group R-3 occupancy under the amended Building Code, and a registered child development home may keep serving up to sixteen without commercial reclassification if it registered with the state before January 1, 2017.
Childcare Home Occupancy Rules, West Des Moines
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-4
8-2A-4: OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE (CHAPTER 3 OF THE IBC): ... 305.2.3 and 308.5.4 (Eight or fewer persons receiving care in a dwelling unit). A facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and having eight or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall comply with the International Residential Code as amended. Exception: Day Care faci...
Door Locking Hardware
In the City of West Des Moines, new multifamily apartment, rental condominium and rental townhouse projects must install reinforced deadbolt latch plates, foot-bolt locks on grade-level sliding patio doors, and 180-degree view ports on every entry door under a Building Code amendment to the IBC's means-of-egress door rules.
Multifamily Door Security Rules, West Des Moines
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-8
8-2A-8: MEANS OF EGRESS (CHAPTER 10 OF THE IBC): Amend Section 1010.1 of the IBC (Doors) by adding the following provision: New multifamily apartments, rental condominium and rental townhouse projects shall provide the following security measures: 1. Latch plates for door locks and deadbolts shall be installed with lag screws, or similar, at least 3 inches in length, and capable of attaching ...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Rental dwellings in the City of West Des Moines must have at least one carbon monoxide detector near every sleeping room under City Code section 8-2A-16(U), with the State of Iowa Administrative Code able to require additional units depending on the building.
West Des Moines Carbon Monoxide Detector Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-16(U)
U. Carbon Monoxide Detectors: At least one carbon monoxide detector is required in the immediate vicinity of sleeping rooms. Additional locations may be required as stipulated by the State of Iowa Administrative Code.
Electrical Permits
In the City of West Des Moines, electrical installations fall under the city's adopted Building Code, which incorporates the National Electrical Code, including any current amendments the state of Iowa adopts, as part of its requirements. City Code section 8-2A-3 puts the burden on the permit holder to schedule inspections, and failing to check in within 180 days can void or revoke the permit.
West Des Moines Electrical Permit and NEC Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-3
Amend Section 101.4 of the IBC (Referenced Codes) and Section R102.4 of the IRC (Referenced Codes and Standards) by adding the following: 1. The provisions adopted by the State of Iowa (Iowa Department of Public Safety) including but not limited to the current edition and amendments of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the current edition and amendments of the National Elect...
Plumbing Permits
In the City of West Des Moines, plumbing work falls under the Building Code adopted in City Code section 8-2A-1, which incorporates the state-mandated Uniform Plumbing Code by reference. The Building Division handles permits and inspections, and section 8-2A-3 spells out fee collection and permit revocation for uninspected work.
West Des Moines Plumbing Code And Permits
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 8-2A-1, 8-2A-3
This Article shall consist of the 2021 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC) and the 2021 Edition of the International Residential Code (IRC), as published by the International Code Council (ICC), and together known commonly as the Building Code, ... and including the State mandated 2021 Edition of the ... Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), as published by the International Association of ...