Paid Leave Preemption: Des Moines vs West Des Moines
How do paid leave preemption rules compare between Des Moines, IA and West Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines has fewer restrictions than West Des Moines.
Des Moines, IA
Polk County
Iowa Code §331.304 preempts cities and counties from mandating paid sick leave, paid family leave, or scheduling rules; only federal FMLA applies, leaving private employer policy as the leave standard.
View full Des Moines rules →West Des Moines, IA
Polk County
Iowa Code 331.301(6) and 364.3(12) preempt cities and counties from mandating private-sector paid leave benefits beyond state and federal law.
View full West Des Moines rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Des Moines | West Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Local Mandate | Preempted | - |
| Federal FMLA | Up to 12 weeks unpaid | - |
| FMLA Threshold | 50+ employees | - |
| Authority | IA Code §331.304 | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Des Moines FAQ
Does Iowa have state paid leave?
No. Iowa has no state-mandated paid sick or family leave program. State employees have paid leave through merit rules, but private employees rely on employer policy.
Can Des Moines require sick days?
No. IA Code §331.304 preempts any local paid-leave or scheduling mandate, so the city cannot impose sick-leave or scheduling rules on private employers.
West Des Moines FAQ
Can Iowa cities require employers to offer paid sick leave?
No. Iowa preemption law prohibits cities and counties from mandating private-sector paid or unpaid leave benefits.
Does Iowa have any paid leave mandate?
Iowa has no statewide private-sector paid leave mandate. Some employer-provided benefits and FMLA unpaid leave apply.
Compare other topics
See how Des Moines and West Des Moines compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool