Fence Regulations in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
5 verified fence regulations for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
In the City of West Des Moines, Zoning Code section 9-14-11 caps fences at 6 feet in side and rear yards for most single-family residential districts, and at 4 feet in the front yard or street side yard when built up to the property line. Fences near street and driveway intersections must also maintain visual clearance under the same section.
West Des Moines Fence Height Limit Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-14-11
(1) Visual clearance as provided and illustrated elsewhere in this chapter shall be maintained at intersection of two (2) streets and at intersections of a street and private driveway. Provision of visual clearance may require the fence to be angled, reduced in height or of a design that allows visibility through the fence at the corner. ... (3) A fence, up to but not exceeding four feet (4') i...
Fence Permit Requirements
In the City of West Des Moines, a fence needs a building permit no matter its height. City Code section 8-2A-3 amends the International Building Code's permit-exemption list to delete the standard exemption for fences up to 7 feet tall, so Development Services requires a permit before a fence of any height goes up.
West Des Moines Fence Building Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-3
1. No. 1 shall read as follows: One story detached accessory structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet and the structure does not utilize a permanent foundation. 2. Delete No. 2, Fences not over 7 feet high.
Neighbor Fence Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, Zoning Code section 9-14-11 requires a single-faced fence's unfinished side, the side with exposed posts and rails, to face the property on which the fence is built. That means the finished, better-looking face must point toward the neighboring lot or the street, not toward the fence owner's own yard.
West Des Moines Fence Finished-Side Rule
Light RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-14-11
c. Single faced fences shall have the unfinished side (side with exposed posts) facing toward the property on which the fence is erected. ... ... 6. All fences shall be constructed in a sound and sturdy manner and shall be maintained in an upright and non-sagging manner and in a good condition, including the replacement of defective or missing parts, painting, and other acts required for mainte...
Retaining Walls
In the City of West Des Moines, a retaining wall must be set back from the property line by a distance at least equal to its own height above grade, and any retaining wall 30 inches or taller must carry a guardrail if a sidewalk, patio, driveway or parking area sits within 72 inches of its top edge.
Retaining Wall Setback & Guardrail Rules, WDM
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-10
8-2A-10: SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS (CHAPTER 18 OF THE IBC): Amend Section 1807.2 of the IBC (Retaining Walls) by adding the following: Retaining walls shall be setback from property lines utilizing a "one to one" ratio (the setback distance from the property line shall equal the height of the retaining wall above grade). Amend Section 1807.2 of the IBC (Retaining Walls) by adding the following: A g...
Material Restrictions
In the City of West Des Moines, using barbed wire in a residential zone is unlawful without City Council consent under City Code section 5-2-17, unless the property is at least 10 acres and used for agriculture. The Zoning Code separately limits electrified fencing to livestock and crop protection on the largest residential and agricultural lots.
West Des Moines Barbed Wire Fence Ban
Heavy RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 5-2-17
It shall be unlawful for a person to use barbed wire within any residential zone of the City without the consent of the City Council unless such land consists of ten (10) acres or more and is used for an agricultural purpose. The term "barbed wire" as used herein shall mean any wire or strands of wire with any sharp projections or any sharp projections with points oblique.