Short-Term Rentals in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
3 verified short-term rentals rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
In the City of West Des Moines, anyone renting out a dwelling, dwelling unit, or even a single room for 30 days or less must hold a valid rental inspection certificate under City Code Section 8-2A-16 before renting it, a requirement the zoning code applies directly to short-term rentals in Section 9-5-4.D.
West Des Moines STR Rental Certificate Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 8-2A-16.A, 9-5-4.D
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. ... ... D. Short Term Rental: All dwellings or dwelling units as defined in Title 8, ...
Taxes & Fees
In the City of West Des Moines, dwellings rented for a fee for 30 days or less are treated as short-term rentals under Code section 9-5-4(D) and must meet Title 8 rental-housing requirements plus Iowa Code chapter 423A, the state's lodging tax law, though the city waives its own inspection fee for these units.
West Des Moines Short-Term Rentals Owe State Tax
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 9-5-4(D)
D. Short Term Rental: All dwellings or dwelling units as defined in Title 8, Chapter 2, Article A of this Code and Chapter 2, Section 2, "Definitions" within this title, offered for a fee for a period of thirty (30) days or less shall be subject to the requirements of Title 8, Chapter 2, Article A, "Building Code", Subsection 15, Rental Housing of this Code, this title, and Iowa Code chapter ...
Repeat Violator Strikes
Short-term rentals in the City of West Des Moines are subject to the same rental housing certificate rules as long-term units under City Code section 9-5-4(D). An owner who racks up three or more nuisance violations in twelve months risks having every rental certificate they hold denied or revoked under section 8-2A-16(I).
West Des Moines STR Repeat Violation Strikes
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 8-2A-16(I), 9-5-4(D)
I. Denial or Revocation of Rental Certificate for Violations: ... Specifically, three (3) or more nuisance violations that occur within a twelve (12) month period may cause the issuance or renewal of a rental certificate to be denied or revoked. The West Des Moines Police Department or Community Compliance should notify the Building Official or their designee when three (3) or more nuisance vio...