Special Events & Permits in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
6 verified special events & permits rules for West Des Moines, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
In the City of West Des Moines, closing a local street once a year for a neighborhood block party requires a residential block party permit issued by City staff before the event begins. The permit process, fees, and misdemeanor or civil penalty for skipping it are set out in City Code article 7-1D.
West Des Moines Block Party Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 7-1D-3, 7-1D-6, 7-1D-11
A residential block party permit shall be required for all events that relate to the stated purpose and intent of this article. A residential block party permit must be timely applied for and issued by the city prior to the commencement of the event. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage, sponsor, or participate in any event described herein without having first applied for and obtained...
Park Event Permits
In the City of West Des Moines, using a city park or other city property for a gathering that goes beyond ordinary park visits, such as a festival or large reservation, requires a special event permit under City Code article 7-1E. The parks and recreation department reviews park-only events, while broader events go through a multi-department review.
West Des Moines Special Event Permit For Parks
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code §§ 7-1E-3, 7-1E-5, 7-1E-6
A special event permit shall be required for all events that relate to the stated purpose and intent of this article. A special event permit must be timely applied for and issued by the city prior to the commencement of the event. It shall be unlawful for any person or organization to engage, sponsor, or participate in any event described herein without having first applied for and obtained a p...
Parade Permits
In the City of West Des Moines, no person may conduct a parade on any street without first obtaining a written permit from the City Clerk under Code Section 5-4-1. The permit must state the parade's date, time and route, and West Des Moines charges no fee for it.
West Des Moines Parade Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 5-4-1
No person shall conduct or cause any parade on any street except as provided herein: A. Parade Defined: "Parade" shall mean any march or procession of persons or vehicles organized for marching or moving on the streets in an organized fashion or manner or any march or procession of persons or vehicles represented or advertised generally to the public as a parade. ... ... B. Permit Required: No ...
Street Fair Rules
For events with more than one mobile food unit at a single site, the City of West Des Moines requires an annual multiple vendor permit under Code section 3-7-4(I), caps each grouping at four vendors, and requires groupings to sit at least 500 feet apart. Larger organized gatherings need a short-term temporary use permit instead.
West Des Moines Caps Vendors At Multi-Truck Sites
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 3-7-4(I)
I. Multiple Vendor Permit: ... The intent of allowing multiple food vendors within a site shall be to provide services to a targeted audience and not to create pop up commercial centers. A property owner may obtain an annual multiple vendor permit from the city to allow more than one mobile food unit on a property at a given time. Said permit shall be valid from twelve o'clock (12: 00) midnight...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
In West Des Moines, a restaurant may only operate a sidewalk cafe on the public right-of-way in the Valley Junction Historic Business District under a City sidewalk encroachment permit. City Code section 7-1-1(C)(5) limits the season to April 1 through November 15 and caps hours at 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7:00 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
West Des Moines Sidewalk Cafe Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 7-1-1(C)(5)
SIDEWALK CAFÉ: ... An outdoor area meeting the requirements of this subsection that is temporarily situated on a public sidewalk and which is adjacent to and contiguous with any side of a building in which a restaurant or bar/restaurant Class 1 ... is located, and in which food and beverages are served for consumption by persons sitting or standing at tables within such area. ... (4) Sidewalk c...
Outdoor Heater Rules
West Des Moines allows outdoor heaters in a Valley Junction sidewalk cafe only if the City approves them as part of the same sidewalk encroachment permit that authorizes the cafe, and only if the heater complies with the City's adopted Fire Code, per City Code section 7-1-1(C)(5)(n). There is no separate freestanding heater permit outside that sidewalk cafe process.
West Des Moines Outdoor Heater Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsWest Des Moines City Code § 7-1-1(C)(5)(n)
5. Sidewalk Cafes On The Public Right-Of-Way: In the Valley Junction Historic Business (VJHB) District, the use of the public sidewalks for sidewalk cafes and outdoor service areas may be allowed in accordance with the following provisions, or as otherwise allowed by City Council: ... ... n. Outdoor heaters are allowed if approved by the City as part of the sidewalk encroachment permit process ...