Landscaping Rules in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
West Des Moines requires 14 feet of vertical clearance between a street surface and the lowest branch of any tree or shrub, and 8 feet over a sidewalk or trail. Owners of abutting private property must maintain and prune trees that extend over a public street or sidewalk, at their own cost.
West Des Moines Street Tree Pruning Clearance
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 7-10-7(A)-(B)
A. Maintenance: ... Trees or shrubs planted within the public right- of-way that extend over public streets or sidewalks, or that obstruct traffic signs or public utilities, shall be maintained by the City. Trees or shrubs planted on private property that extend over public streets or sidewalks, or obstruct traffic signs or public utilities, shall be maintained by owners of abutting property .....
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of West Des Moines, no one may plant, remove, treat, prune, cable or brace a public tree or shrub without a permit from the City Forester. Requests need at least 48 business hours of advance notice, and the rule covers trees in the right-of-way or on public property, not privately owned yard trees.
West Des Moines Public Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 7-10-6
No person shall plant, remove, treat, prune, cable, brace, or otherwise disturb a public tree or shrub without first applying for and receiving a permit from the city forester. Requests for permits must be made a minimum of forty eight (48) business hours in advance of the time the work shall begin. ... 2. Removal: ... A permit shall be issued for removal of a public tree or shrub, including wh...
Weed Ordinances
West Des Moines caps weeds and vegetation at ten inches under City Code § 4-4-2(A): anything taller, or any buildup of dead weeds, grass, brush, or trees, is a nuisance. All vegetation besides trees and shrubs must be cut to that height at least once a year, though native planting areas approved through a development permit may instead be maintained by a permitted controlled burn.
West Des Moines Ten-Inch Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-4-2(A)
All vegetation, other than trees and shrubs, must be cut at least once annually to a height no greater than ten inches (10"). As an alternative to cutting, native planting areas (see exceptions at subsections A7 and A8 of this section) on both private and public property may be maintained by controlled burning with an approved permit from the city's fire department. Natural areas in public park...
Native Plants
West Des Moines exempts cultivated gardens and approved native planting areas from its ten-inch weed nuisance rule. City Code § 4-4-2(A)(5) protects flowers, native plants, ornamental grasses, and ground covers that are cultivated or mulched to stay weed-free, while § 4-4-2(A)(8) covers larger native plant areas approved through a development permit, though never on an individual single-family lot.
West Des Moines Native Planting Area Exception
Light RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-4-2(A)
5. Gardens: Areas dedicated to growing fruits or vegetables for personal consumption or to growing flowers, native plants, ornamental grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and similar plants which are cultivated and/or mulched to remain free of weeds, grassy weeds, or volunteer plants. Vegetation in gardens shall not be allowed to grow onto adjacent property. ... ... 8. Native Planting Areas: Areas o...
Composting
West Des Moines encourages residents to compost lawn refuse on-site under City Code section 4-5-9(C), but requires the pile to sit in the rear yard, stay free of odors, litter, fire, and pests, and exclude all kitchen or food waste.
Home Composting Rules in West Des Moines
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-5-9
C. Composting Lawn Refuse: 1. The owner or occupant is encouraged to compost lawn refuse on the premises where it is developed; provided, that the material accumulated for such purpose is restricted to the rear yard of the property and is properly contained and processed without creating offensive odors, litter, fire or vector problems. Such composting shall be deemed to be an acceptable al...