Home Business in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
4 verified home business rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Running a business from a home in West Des Moines requires a home occupation permit under City Code section 9-8-4 before the use begins. The Director of Community Development approves, conditions or denies each application, and every permit must be renewed every two years and is not transferable to a new owner or operator.
West Des Moines Home Occupation Permit
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-8-4
A. A home occupation permit shall be required for all home occupation uses under this Chapter. A home occupation permit must be issued prior to the commencement of any home occupation use. ... ... C. Home occupation permits shall be renewed every two (2) years and are not transferable to another party.
Signage Rules
A home business sign in West Des Moines is capped at one square foot in area under City Code section 9-8-5. No other sign relating to the home occupation is allowed unless state law requires it, and the sign itself is nontransferable to a new operator or business.
West Des Moines Home Business Sign Limit
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-8-5
4. No signs relating to the home occupation shall be allowed, other than what is required by State law. Signs shall be limited to one square foot in area, and nontransferable.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
West Des Moines limits how much foot traffic a home business can draw by requiring customers to come by appointment only, at no more than two clients per hour on a daily average, under City Code section 9-8-5. The cap applies to every home occupation permit unless a different limit is spelled out elsewhere in the chapter.
West Des Moines Home Business Client Limit
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-8-5
2. To avoid any traffic congestions, all customers, clients, etc., shall be handled by appointment only with a restriction of only two (2) clients allowed per hour on a daily average basis, unless noted otherwise in this Chapter.
Home Daycare
An in-home childcare business in West Des Moines needs a home occupation permit before it can operate under City Code section 9-8-5. The business is limited to a childcare home of 5 or fewer children, or a category C child development home with two providers, following Iowa Department of Human Services registration guidelines.
West Des Moines Home Daycare Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-8-5
23. The operation of an in home childcare business shall require the issuance of a home occupation permit prior to initiation of the activity. In home childcare businesses shall be limited to childcare homes (5 or fewer children at any 1 time), and child development homes in accordance with Iowa department of human services registration guidelines including category C with two (2) providers. ...