Public Conduct in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
6 verified public conduct rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
West Des Moines City Code section 6-13-4 makes it a violation, anywhere in the city, to panhandle from the travel portion of any street, to use profane or abusive language during or after a solicitation, to panhandle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or to make a threatening statement or gesture. Violators face a simple misdemeanor or a municipal infraction citation under section 6-13-5.
West Des Moines Bans Aggressive Panhandling
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 6-13-4, 6-13-5
6-13-4: MANNER OF PANHANDLING: ... It shall be unlawful for any individual to panhandle in any of the following manners at any location within the city: A. By standing, sitting, or otherwise being present in or on the travel portion of a public or private street or highway; ... ... B. By using profane or abusive language, either during the solicitation or following a refusal; C. While under the...
Public Urination
In the City of West Des Moines, urinating or defecating in a street, alley, sidewalk, or any other place open to public view or use is unlawful, unless done in a private restroom or a public facility designated for that purpose. A violation is a simple misdemeanor.
West Des Moines Public Urination/Defecation Ban
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 5-2-1, 5-2-19
A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is a simple misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Iowa Code (2026) section 903.1, maximum sentence for misdemeanants, which is adopted by reference. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in or upon any street, alley, sidewalk, or other place open to the public view or public use, provided that this shall no...
Loud Party Ordinance
In the City of West Des Moines, a social host who hosts an event, gathering or party is liable if an underage guest drinks, whether or not the host is present. Civil penalties escalate from $500 to $1,000 per offense, and the city can also bill the host for police and EMS costs.
West Des Moines Social Host Liability Law
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 4-9-3, 4-9-6
It is unlawful for any social host to host an event, gathering, or party on premises when the person knows or reasonably should know that an underage person has consumed an alcoholic beverage, or possessed an alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume it, and the person fails to take reasonable steps to prevent the possession or consumption by the underage person. A social host who hosts suc...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
West Des Moines bans tobacco use of any kind, including e-cigarettes and vape pens, on all city park and parks and recreation facility property at any time. Police issue a citation-complaint after a warning is ignored, carrying a $100 civil penalty for each violation.
West Des Moines City Park Tobacco Ban
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 7-11-2(I), 7-11-3
I. Use Of Tobacco: No person, at any time, shall use tobacco of any kind while present on any city park or parks and recreation facility property. Tobacco includes any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human use ... This includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, cigarette tobacco, roll your own tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and dissolvable to...
Jaywalking
West Des Moines City Code section 6-8-4 requires a pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked or unmarked intersection crosswalk to yield the right of way to every vehicle on the road. Where traffic signals operate mid-block, pedestrians may not cross except in a marked crosswalk, and violators face the city's general municipal penalty.
West Des Moines Jaywalking / Mid-Block Crossing Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 6-8-4
A. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway. B. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway. C. ...
Public Alcohol Use
In the City of West Des Moines, drinking any alcoholic beverage on a public street, highway, sidewalk, alley, or public walkway is unlawful under City Code section 3-2-10, unless the City Council has expressly authorized the activity or another section of the Code allows it. The West Des Moines Police Department enforces the ban as a criminal offense, not a civil citation.
West Des Moines Bans Open Alcohol In Public
Heavy RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 3-2-10
It shall be unlawful for any person to consume or drink any alcoholic beverages on any public street, highway, sidewalk, alley, or public walkway in the City, except as expressly authorized by the City Council or specifically allowed elsewhere in this Code. A violation of this section is a simple misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Iowa Code (2009) 903.1.1(a), maximum sentence for ...