Noise Ordinances in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
6 verified noise ordinances for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Construction Hours
In the City of West Des Moines, construction and demolition noise that would otherwise breach section 4-7-7's decibel limits is exempt under section 4-7-8(A)(10), but only if the work has a required building, grading, or demolition permit or an approved development plan. Within three hundred feet of a residential or noise-sensitive use, that exemption only runs from seven o'clock A.M. to ten o'clock P.M.
West Des Moines Construction Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-7-8(A)(10)
A. The maximum permissible sound levels of this chapter shall not apply to: 1 ... ... 0. The emission of sound during demolition work, construction work for which a building permit, grading permit, or demolition permit is required, or a development plan approved. In cases where the sound originates within three hundred feet (300') of a residential land use or noise sensitive land use, the exemp...
Barking Dogs
In the City of West Des Moines, a dog, cat or other animal that causes annoyance or disturbance to any person through frequent and habitual barking, howling, yelping, hissing or meowing puts its owner in violation of City Code Section 5-3-22. Animal control officers and police can cite the owner, and the offense carries misdemeanor or municipal infraction exposure under Section 5-3-23.
West Des Moines Barking Dog Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 5-3-22, 5-3-23, 1-4-1
A. The owner of a dog, cat or other animal, shall be subject to penalty herein provided if the said animal: ... 2. Causes annoyance or disturbances to any person by frequent and habitual barking, howling, yelping, hissing, meowing or fighting. ... Violations of this chapter are simple misdemeanors and may also be punishable as Municipal infractions pursuant to title 1, chapter 4 of this Code. P...
Leaf Blower Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, the use of lawn and garden equipment and chain saws, which covers leaf blowers, is exempt from the numeric decibel limits in section 4-7-7 under section 4-7-8(A)(11), but only between seven o'clock A.M. and ten o'clock P.M. if the sound originates within three hundred feet of a residential or noise-sensitive land use.
West Des Moines Lawn Equipment Noise Hours
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-7-8(A)(11)
A. The maximum permissible sound levels of this chapter shall not apply to: 1 ... ... 1. The emission of sound from the use of lawn and garden equipment and chain saws. In cases where the sound originates within three hundred feet (300') of a residential land use or noise sensitive land use, the exemption shall only apply between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. to ten o'clock (10:00) P.M.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
In the City of West Des Moines, section 4-7-11 requires a permit from the city clerk before anyone may use a loudspeaker or other sound amplifying equipment outdoors to amplify a live performance or recorded music. Requests extending past ten o'clock P.M. need city council approval, and the amplified sound still cannot exceed the chapter's maximum permissible levels.
West Des Moines Amplified Sound Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-7-11
A. No person shall use or cause to be used any loudspeaker, loudspeaker system, sound amplifier, or any other machine or device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound outside of buildings or other enclosed structures for the purpose of amplifying a live performance or prerecorded music without first obtaining a permit to do so. ... ... D. All permits are subject to approval by the city ...
Decibel Limits
West Des Moines caps unamplified and amplified sound at the receiving property line under section 4-7-7 of the Noise Control Regulations, with limits that tighten at night. Residential and noise-sensitive land uses may not receive more than 65 dBA of unamplified sound by day, dropping to 55 dBA between ten o'clock P.M. and seven o'clock A.M.
West Des Moines Noise Decibel Limits By Zone
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-7-7
A. With the exception of sound levels elsewhere specifically authorized or allowed in this chapter, the following are maximum permissible sound levels allowed at or within the property boundary of a receiving land use for unamplified sound: Receiving Land Use Maximum L5A Level Permitted 7 A.M. - 7 P.M. 7 P.M. - 10 P.M. 10 P.M. - 7 A.M. Residential 65 dBA 60 dBA 55 dBA Commercial 65 dBA 65 dBA...
Vehicle Noise
Section 4-7-9 of the West Des Moines Noise Control Regulations bars amplified sound from a motor vehicle, moving or parked, that is plainly audible fifty feet away between seven o'clock A.M. and ten o'clock P.M., or twenty-five feet away overnight. The rule applies whether or not anyone is seated in the vehicle.
West Des Moines Vehicle Stereo Noise Limits
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 4-7-9
No person shall operate or control a motor vehicle, which is moving or stationary, standing or parked, whether or not persons are seated in the motor vehicle, from which any amplified sound is plainly audible at a distance of fifty feet (50') from the vehicle between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. and ten o'clock (10:00) P.M., or is plainly audible at a distance of twenty five feet (25'...