Fire Regulations in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
5 verified fire regulations for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
In the City of West Des Moines, only fire pits and portable outdoor fireplaces that produce no smoke may be used; anything that smokes is a bonfire and needs a permit from the Fire Prevention Bureau, under City Code § 4-3-4 replacing International Fire Code § 307.4.1.
West Des Moines Smokeless Fire Pit Rule
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-3-4 (adding IFC § 307.2.1.2, replacing IFC § 307.4.1)
Add section 307.2.1.2 Business that sell fire pits, chiminea and other outdoor recreational devices. Within the City limits of West Des Moines, any business that sells fire pits, chiminea and other outdoor recreational fire/ember producing devices are required to have signage installed on the display devices notifying customers they are not allowed to be used within the City limits of West Des ...
Fireworks
The City of West Des Moines requires a Consumer Fireworks Retail Facility Permit before any retail or wholesale sale or storage of consumer fireworks, with detailed siting, security and separation rules enforced by the Fire Chief, and a $625-per-day fine for selling without one.
Fireworks Sales Permits in West Des Moines
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 3-14-1, § 3-14-6
3-14-1: CONSUMER FIREWORKS RETAIL FACILITY PERMIT: ... A. A consumer fireworks retail facility permit for the retail or wholesale sale or storage of consumer fireworks as defined in Iowa Code section 727.2 may be issued subject to the provisions of Iowa Code section 10A.519, and, title 4, chapter 3 and title 9 of this Code. ... 3-14-6: ... VIOLATION: Failure to conform to or comply with any pro...
Outdoor Burning
In the City of West Des Moines, open burning requires approval from the Fire Code Official plus the county agency with jurisdiction: Polk County Water, Air and Waste Management Department for land in Polk County, or the Iowa DNR for land in Dallas, Warren or Madison County, under City Code § 4-3-4 adding International Fire Code § 307.2.1.1.
West Des Moines Open Burning Approval Rule
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-3-4 (adding IFC § 307.2.1.1)
Add section 307.2.1.1 Responsible Agencies for Open Burning. Within the City limits of West Des Moines; in Polk County, approval from Polk County Water, Air and Waste Management Department, and the Fire Code Official; in Dallas County, Warren County and Madison County, approval from State of Iowa DNR and the Fire Code Official; future annexed land shall use the County Water, Air and Waste Manag...
Smoke Detectors
In the City of West Des Moines, every rental bedroom and every floor of a rental dwelling must have a working smoke detector under City Code section 8-2A-16(T), and multi-family and institutional buildings covered by the amended Fire Code must additionally run monitored, addressable smoke alarms under section 4-3-4.
West Des Moines Smoke Alarm Requirements
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 4-3-4 (IFC § 907.2.11), 8-2A-16(T)
Amend section 907.2.11 Single and Multi-station Smoke Alarms. Listed single and multiple-station smoke alarms complying with UL 217 shall be installed in accordance with provisions of this Code and the household fire warning equipment provision of NFPA 72. Smoke alarms in dwelling units shall be addressable with sounder bases and monitored by the building fire alarm system as a supervisory sign...
Propane Storage
In the City of West Des Moines, apartment and condominium units may have no more than one 20-pound propane cylinder attached to an outdoor cooking device, under City Code § 4-3-4 amending International Fire Code § 308.1.11; one and two-family homes and townhouses are exempt.
West Des Moines Propane Cylinder Limit
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-3-4 (amending IFC § 308.1.11)
Amend section 308.1.11 Open-flame Cooking Devices. ... A maximum of one 20 lb. propane cylinder attached to the cooking device shall be allowed per living unit. Exception: One and two-family dwellings and townhouses.