Parking Rules in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
8 verified parking rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
In the City of West Des Moines, parked recreational vehicles and trailers on residential lots must sit on a hard surface other than gravel under City Code section 9-15-4(B)(1). Only the ground-contact points need paving, but the unit must sit next to the existing driveway, garage, or alley, and the street right-of-way is off-limits entirely.
West Des Moines RV and Trailer Parking Surface Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-15-4(B)(1)
All parking of recreational vehicles and trailers for residential uses that comply with subsection 9-5-4A1 of this title shall occur on hard surfaces other than gravel sufficient to support the weight of the recreational vehicle or trailer in question and on private property only, but only the parts of the recreational vehicle or trailer that contact the ground shall be required to be placed on...
Driveway Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, all residential vehicle parking other than qualifying recreational vehicles and trailers must sit entirely on paved surfaces on private property, per City Code section 9-15-4(B)(1). Front-yard driveways and parking areas are capped at 50 percent of the space between the house's front wall and the right-of-way.
West Des Moines Driveway Paving and Coverage Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-15-4(B)(1)
All parking of vehicles, excluding recreational vehicles and trailers for residential uses that comply with subsection 9-5-4A1 of this title, shall occur on paved areas and on private property only, and the entire length and width of the vehicles must be on paved surfaces. ... Gravel parking areas existing prior to September 1, 1996, may continue in use; however, in no case shall the total pave...
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
In the City of West Des Moines, parking large trucks, semitractors, or other commercial equipment in a residential zone is defined as unlawful commercial or industrial storage under City Code section 9-5-4(A)(1). A limited home-occupation accessory exception under section 9-5-4(B) allows one qualifying vehicle if it is single-rear-axle and fully concealed in a garage.
West Des Moines Commercial Vehicle Storage Ban
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-5-4(A)(1), 9-5-4(B)
1. The following vehicles and/or equipment, when parked or maintained within any area zoned for residential purposes, shall be defined as "commercial or industrial storage" and shall constitute a violation of this title, unless determined by the City to be an accessory use of a home occupation in accordance with the standards set forth in this subsection: ... ... c. Any truck designed primarily...
Street Parking Limits
West Des Moines City Code section 6-6-1 bars stopping, standing, or parking anywhere that blocks traffic or safety sightlines: crosswalks, sidewalks, fire hydrants, intersections, and within three feet of a driveway. Section 6-6-9 also requires every parked car to face the direction of travel and sit within eighteen inches of the curb, so parking against oncoming traffic is illegal too.
West Des Moines On-Street Parking Restrictions
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 6-6-1
No one shall stop, stand or park a vehicle except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places: ... ... E. Driveway: In front of or within three feet (3') of a public or private driveway. F. Intersection: Within, or within ten feet (10') of an intersection of any street or al...
Overnight Parking
The City of West Des Moines prohibits parking on Elm, Maple, Railroad Place, Walnut, Fifth and Sixth Streets in the Valley Junction area between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. every day under City Code section 6-9-5-5. Only physicians and persons responding to emergency calls are exempt. Police issue citations under the chapter's flat penalty schedule.
West Des Moines Bans 2-6 AM Street Parking
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 6-9-5-5, 6-9-14
6-9-5-5: ALL NIGHT PARKING PROHIBITED: ... No person, except physicians or other persons on emergency calls, shall park a vehicle on any of the following named streets between the hours of two o'clock (2:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) A.M. of any day: ... Street Side From To ... Elm Street North Fourth Street Sixth Street ... 6-9-14: PENALTY: ... Unless otherwise provided herein or by the Code...
Abandoned Vehicles
West Des Moines City Code section 4-4-2 makes it a nuisance to store, park, or leave an inoperable or obsolete vehicle on private property, unless it sits inside a building or belongs to a licensed junkyard or auto business. On public streets, a vehicle impounded by police and left unclaimed for ten days is deemed abandoned under Iowa Code section 321.89.
West Des Moines Abandoned & Junk Vehicle Rule
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 4-4-1, 4-4-2
INOPERABLE/OBSOLETE VEHICLE: Any device in, upon or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway or street, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, and shall include, without limitation, motor vehicle, automobile, truck, trailer, motorcycle, tractor, buggy, wagon or any combination thereof, and which is not li...
Loading Zones
West Des Moines City Code section 6-6-6 reserves marked loading zones for loading and unloading material, merchandise, or passengers only: parking there for any other purpose or length of time is unlawful. Zones must be signed 'loading zone' and painted with 'no parking - loading zone' lettering, and drivers must stay within the marked-off area.
West Des Moines Loading Zone Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 6-6-6
It shall be unlawful to park a vehicle for any purpose or length of time other than for the loading and unloading of material or merchandise or passengers in any designated loading zone. A. Loading Zones Identified: The locations designated as loading zones shall be marked by signs with the words "loading zone" and the designated area marked off with yellow paint with the words "no parking - ...
Snow Removal Parking Rules
In the City of West Des Moines, no one may park, abandon, or leave a vehicle unattended on a public street, alley, or city-owned lot once the mayor or public works director proclaims a snow emergency. City Code section 6-6-7 keeps the ban running from the proclamation until 5:00 p.m. the following day, longer if crews need more time to clear snow and ice.
West Des Moines Snow Emergency Parking Ban
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 6-6-7
No person shall park, abandon, or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley, or city owned off street parking area during any snow emergency proclaimed by the mayor, public works director, or their respective designees. A snow emergency parking ban shall continue from its proclamation through five o'clock (5:00) P.M. the following day. The mayor, public works director, or their r...