Rental Property Rules in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
2 verified rental property rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rental Registration
In the City of West Des Moines, no one may rent or let any dwelling, dwelling unit or even a single room, short-term or long-term, without a valid rental inspection certificate, and every owner must file current mailing address, phone and email contact information, or a local agent's, with the Building Division within five days of any ownership change.
Rental Inspection Certificate Rules, WDM
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-16
A. Rental Inspection Certificate Required: No person shall rent, lease, let, operate, or otherwise allow the occupancy of any dwelling or dwelling unit or any portion of any dwelling or dwelling unit (including single rooms) on a short- or long-term basis unless they hold a valid rental inspection certificate. The preceding language does not preclude relatives, or similar persons from occupying...
Repairs & Habitability
In the City of West Des Moines, the Building Official can order a landlord's rent abated, meaning the owner may not collect rent from the tenant, after issuing a notice of violation for failing to provide an essential service like water, sewer, electricity or heat, failing to fix a substantial health or safety risk, or renting without a current certificate.
Rent Abatement for Bad Rental Conditions, WDM
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 8-2A-16
C. Rent Abatement: The Building Official may order rent abated when it is determined that the owner has, after issuance of a notice of violation of this chapter: 1 Failed to provide an essential service (water, sewer, electricity, heat); or 2 Failed to remedy a condition that poses a substantial risk to the health or safety of the tenant; or 3 Rented a dwelling unit without a current re...