Building Setbacks & Zoning in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
West Des Moines Development Services enforces yard setback minimums for single-family lots under City Code Table 7.2. Front yards run 30 feet in the R-1 district and up to 50 feet in Residential Estate, rear yards reach 35 feet, and side yards drop to 7 feet in R-1 but only 5 feet in SF-CR, SF-VJ, VJHB and MH districts.
West Des Moines Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-7-4
TABLE 7.2 Setbacks And Building Separations4 - Standard Lots RS Required 5,000 8,000 10,000 15,000 SF- Standards OS RE To To To Sq. Ft. R-1 CR SF-VJ VJHB MH5 7,999 9,999 14,999 Or Sq. Ft. Sq. Ft. Sq. Ft. Greater Front yard 50' 50' 30' 35' 35' 35' 30' 20' 20' ...
Structure Height Limits
The City of West Des Moines caps single-family dwellings at three stories under City Code section 9-7-4.C.4. The limit applies citywide across every single-family zoning district, from Agricultural/Open Space and Residential Estate through R-1, SF-CR, SF-VJ and VJHB, and is enforced by Development Services at the building permit stage.
West Des Moines Home Height Limit: 3 Stories
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-7-4
Building Height: Maximum building height for single family dwellings is three (3) stories.
Lot Coverage Limits
West Des Moines caps how much of a residential lot can be built on through a minimum open space standard rather than a stated coverage percentage. City Code Table 7.1 requires at least 25 percent open space on RE, RS, R-1, SF-CR, SF-VJ, VJHB, MH, RM and RH lots, and 75 percent open space in the Agricultural/Open Space (OS) district.
West Des Moines Minimum Open Space Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-7-4
Required OS RE RS R-1 SF-CR SF-VJ VJHB MH RM RH Standards ... Minimum ... 75% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% open space