Pop. 214,133 · Polk County
Des Moines permits backyard hens with a city permit under Chapter 6 of the Municipal Code, but roosters and most livestock are prohibited inside city limits, with strict setback and coop standards enforced by Animal Control.
Des Moines requires cats to be licensed, vaccinated against rabies, and prohibits cats running at large under Chapter 6, with the Animal Rescue League contracted for shelter operations and trap-neuter-return support.
Des Moines uses tiered license fees and post-impoundment requirements under Chapter 6 to encourage spay/neuter, charging substantially more for unaltered dogs and cats and conditioning release of repeat at-large animals on sterilization.
Des Moines does not require microchipping for pets but strongly recommends it, and the Animal Rescue League scans every impounded animal to reunite owners faster, often waiving some impound fees for microchipped pets.
Des Moines Chapter 6 limits the combined number of dogs and cats kept at a residence without a kennel permit, with separate limits for properties zoned for higher-density animal keeping such as commercial kennels.
Des Moines limits the total number of dogs and cats per household and authorizes Animal Control to seize animals from hoarding situations under Chapter 6, with prosecution available for cruelty under Iowa Code Chapter 717B.
Des Moines prohibits feeding deer and waterfowl (including Canada geese) on public property under Chapter 18, Article VII. The ban was adopted in 2021 to reduce disease risk, property damage, and nuisance wildlife concentration.
Des Moines permits beekeeping on residential property with conditions. Hives must be registered with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Local zoning requirements include setback and hive number limits.
Des Moines requires dogs to be on a leash or under direct control at all times when off the owner's property under Chapter 18. Dogs running at large are a violation and may be impounded by Animal Control.
Des Moines does not enforce breed-specific legislation (BSL). Iowa does not have a statewide ban on specific breeds. All dogs are regulated based on individual behavior, not breed, under Chapter 18.
Des Moines and Iowa law restrict ownership of dangerous wild animals. Iowa Code Chapter 717F prohibits keeping large cats, bears, wolves, primates, and other dangerous wild animals without a USDA license or specific exemption.
In unincorporated Polk County, livestock is a zoning matter under Iowa Code Chapter 335. Genuine agricultural use is exempt from county zoning (Iowa Code 335.2), so working farms keep cattle, horses, hogs and sheep without a county permit. Hobby livestock on small residential lots is limited by the zoning district.
Des Moines follows the Iowa-adopted International Fire Code under Chapter 8, capping residential propane cylinder size and quantity, requiring outdoor storage with setbacks from buildings, ignition sources, and property lines.
Des Moines adopts the International Fire Code via Chapter 46, which requires property owners to cut down and remove weeds, grass, vines, or other combustible vegetation that could be ignited and endanger property. Accumulations of combustible waste in yards or vacant lots are also prohibited.
Des Moines has no local wildfire-zone overlay or Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) designation. The city adopts the International Fire Code (Chapter 46) for general fire prevention; open-burning and fire-hazard rules apply citywide, not via mapped fire zones.
Iowa legalized consumer fireworks in 2017 under Iowa Code Chapter 727. Des Moines allows consumer fireworks June 1–July 8 and December 10–January 3, with permitted hours of 9 AM to 10 PM (extended to 11 PM on July 4 and December 31).
Des Moines allows recreational fire pits with conditions: must use clean dry firewood, be contained in a pit or ring, maintained 15 feet from structures, and attended at all times. No burning of trash, yard waste, or treated wood.
Open burning of refuse, rubbish, garbage, and landscape waste is prohibited in Des Moines under Polk County Air Quality regulations. Only recreational fires for cooking and warmth are permitted with specific conditions.
Iowa allows backyard burning of residential waste at dwellings of four family units or less, unless a local rule is stricter. That exemption is unavailable inside Des Moines, West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale, Windsor Heights, and Pleasant Hill, and Polk County still bars burning when AQI is 90 or above.
Iowa Code 10A.518 (formerly 100.18) requires smoke detectors in all single-family rental units and multiple-unit residential buildings statewide, including Polk County. Homes built since 1991 must have them, and homestead-credit filers must certify installation. Landlords must fix a dead detector within 30 days.
Des Moines does not require an STR operator to live onsite during guest stays. Both hosted and unhosted whole-home rentals are allowed citywide if the operator holds a valid short-term rental permit under Zoning Ch. 134-2.6.4.
Des Moines does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Investor-owned and second-home STRs are eligible for permits under Ch. 134-2.6.4 if zoning, life-safety, insurance, and local-responder requirements are met.
Des Moines imposes no maximum number of rental nights per year on permitted short-term rentals. Operators with a valid Ch. 134-2.6.4 permit may book all 365 nights subject to occupancy, parking, and noise rules.
Des Moines may suspend or revoke a short-term rental permit when a property accumulates documented nuisance, occupancy, or zoning violations. Operators with repeat strikes face escalating penalties under Ch. 134-2.6.4 and Code Compliance Ch. 28.
Des Moines places STR compliance liability on the individual permit holder, not on Airbnb or Vrbo. Platforms are not required to verify city permits before listing, and enforcement runs through the host under Ch. 134-2.6.4.
Des Moines requires a rental certificate for short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) and sets occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms. Only one STR is permitted per single-family detached structure, and at least one guest must be 21 or older.
Des Moines requires all short-term commercial rental operators to maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage arising from rental use, as a condition of obtaining and keeping a rental certificate.
Des Moines requires every short-term commercial rental to be approved by the Board of Adjustment and to obtain a rental certificate from the Neighborhood Inspections Zoning Division before listing. Rules sit in Chapter 134 (Zoning Ordinance) Sections 134-2.2.5, 134-3.5.12, 134-3.5.16, 134-3.8.3, and 134-6.4.8 as amended by Ordinance 15,844 (eff. December 16, 2019).
Short-term rental operators in Des Moines must collect and remit Iowa hotel/motel tax (5%) and local option tax. Permit and application fees apply through the Board of Adjustment process.
Short-term rental guests in Des Moines must comply with the city's noise control ordinance under Chapter 42. Operators are responsible for informing guests of quiet hours and noise limits. Repeated noise complaints can jeopardize STR permits.
Des Moines requires short-term rental operators to obtain a rental certificate and board of adjustment approval before operating. STRs are defined as commercial lodging for less than 30 consecutive days. Minimum $500,000 liability insurance is required.
Short-term rentals in Des Moines must comply with standard residential parking requirements. The Board of Adjustment may impose specific parking conditions as part of STR permit approval.
Des Moines prohibits grass and vegetation over 10 inches as a nuisance under Chapter 42. A 2024 amendment created exceptions for intentionally cultivated gardens, native plantings, and farmland, allowing residents to maintain prairie and pollinator gardens without violation.
Des Moines has no specific municipal ordinance banning or restricting artificial turf in residential yards. The city regulates grass and weed height under Chapter 42 (Nuisances), but synthetic turf is not addressed, making it permissive by default.
Des Moines permits residents to compost organic yard and kitchen material on their property, provided it is suitably contained. Yard debris — grass clippings, leaves, and garden waste — is excluded from the city's solid-waste disposal prohibitions when composted properly.
Des Moines has no local ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting. Iowa state law imposes no limitations on rainwater collection, making rain barrels and cisterns fully legal throughout the city. The city's stormwater program even promotes rainwater harvesting as a best management practice.
Des Moines requires property owners to keep grass and weeds below 12 inches under the property maintenance code. The city actively enforces with notices and may mow non-compliant properties, billing the owner.
Des Moines requires property owners to maintain trees so they do not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sight lines. Minimum clearance of 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets is required.
Des Moines Water Works may impose seasonal watering restrictions during drought conditions. Odd/even watering schedules may be activated. Iowa generally has adequate water supply, so permanent restrictions are uncommon.
Des Moines requires permits for removing trees in the public right-of-way. Trees on private property may generally be removed by the owner, but boulevard trees between the sidewalk and curb are managed by the city's Forestry Division.
Iowa Code 317.10 requires every landowner to destroy all noxious weeds on their land as directed by the county board of supervisors. Polk County's Weed Commission enforces this and takes complaints on listed weeds.
Des Moines limits fences to 3 ft in front yards and 6 ft in side and rear yards under Chapter 135 §135-7.11. Retaining walls over 4 ft (measured from bottom of footing) require a building permit under the adopted 2024 International Residential Code.
Des Moines Chapter 26, Division 5 requires all residential swimming pools to be completely enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. A building permit is required before pool installation or barrier construction.
Des Moines regulates fence materials and height through Chapter 135 (Planning and Design). Residential fences may not exceed 6 feet in side or rear yards or 3 feet in front yards. Barbed wire, concertina wire, and electric wire are prohibited in residential zones.
Des Moines limits fence heights in residential zones: 4 feet maximum in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards under the zoning ordinance. Corner lots have additional visibility triangle requirements.
Iowa follows the common boundary fence law. Des Moines encourages neighbors to discuss fence plans before construction. Fences on shared property lines may require mutual agreement or survey verification.
Des Moines requires permits for most new fence installations. Applications go through the Permit and Development Center. Fences must comply with zoning setback and height requirements.
Beyond height limits, Polk County requires swimming pools to be enclosed by a non-climbable fence at least 4 feet high with a self-latching gate, and livestock-confining fences to sit 100 feet or more from a neighbor's dwelling. Fences must never obstruct sight distance.
Polk County allows common fence materials for residential fences and does not impose a general material list, so long as height, sight-distance, and orientation rules are met. Special material requirements apply only to storage screening and hazardous-equipment enclosures.
Des Moines has no ordinance specifically targeting leaf blowers. General noise rules in Chapter 42, Article IV restrict domestic power tools and outdoor power equipment to daytime hours. Maximum permissible sound levels by land use also apply.
Des Moines regulates amplified music and sound-amplifying equipment under Chapter 42, Article IV. Outdoor amplification in public spaces generally requires a permit, with specific decibel limits and time windows depending on location and event type.
Des Moines prohibits keeping animals that create excessive noise disturbing neighbors under Chapter 18 (Animals) and the noise control ordinance. Persistent barking dogs are treated as a nuisance and Animal Control handles complaints.
Des Moines regulates noise under Municipal Code Chapter 42, Article IV (Noise Control). The city prohibits unreasonably loud sounds that disturb the peace, comfort, or repose of others. Decibel limits apply with stricter standards during nighttime hours in residential areas.
Des Moines limits construction noise in residential areas under the noise control ordinance. Construction activities producing loud noise are generally restricted during nighttime and early morning hours. Special permits may be required for work outside standard hours.
Polk County does not set numeric decibel limits for general noise in the unincorporated area. Its zoning code uses a qualitative lot-line standard instead: noise must not be excessive at the property boundary. Cities in the county may set numeric dBA limits.
Industrial and utility uses in unincorporated Polk County must keep noise from being excessive at the lot line, and heavy-industrial and extractive/disposal uses require conditional-use permits with noise-abatement plans. Home occupations must produce no noise detectable at the property line.
Statewide Iowa law requires every motor vehicle to have a working muffler and bans muffler cutouts and bypass devices. This applies on all highways in Polk County. The Sheriff and city police enforce it; a scheduled fine applies.
Outdoor music events in unincorporated Polk County must meet the Polk County Noise Ordinance, obtain a sound permit if needed, keep noise limited to the site, and are reviewed by the Sheriff's Department. Home-based outdoor music is governed by the lot-line standard.
Aircraft-in-flight noise is regulated federally by the FAA, not by Polk County. The county's zoning code references a 75-decibel noise cone defined by the Iowa DOT around airports and may require additional berm buffering to reduce airport noise. Des Moines International Airport is the metro's hub.
Des Moines requires a building permit for all in-ground and above-ground swimming pools and spas, including hot tubs. A safety barrier at least 48 inches high with a self-closing, self-latching gate must fully enclose the pool area before use.
Des Moines requires a building permit from the Permit and Development Center (602 Robert D Ray Drive) for any swimming pool, hot tub, or spa capable of holding water deeper than 24 inches. Pools must comply with the 2015 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code as adopted in Chapter 26 (Buildings and Building Regulations) and be enclosed by a barrier fence at least 48 inches high.
Des Moines requires all swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. The barrier must prevent passage of a 4-inch sphere and not be easily climbable by toddlers.
Des Moines requires pool permits, safety barriers, and compliance with Iowa Public Health code for all residential swimming pools. Pools must maintain proper chemical levels and drainage to prevent health hazards.
Above-ground pools in Des Moines require permits and must meet barrier requirements. Pools with sides at least 4 feet high may use the wall as a barrier, but ladder and stair access must have lockable gates or removable ladders.
Des Moines allows Level 1, 2, and 3 electric vehicle charging stations as a permitted use in every zoning district. No local ordinance mandates EV-ready or EV-capable spaces in private parking lots, leaving those decisions to property owners.
Des Moines prohibits parking any vehicle on a public street in one spot for more than 24 hours. Sign-posted streets may carry overnight bans (e.g., 10 p.m.–7 a.m.). During active snow removal, parking on designated snow routes is prohibited citywide, and odd/even rules apply in four neighborhoods.
Des Moines restricts parking of commercial vehicles in residential areas. Heavy commercial vehicles, semi-trucks, and trailers generally may not be parked or stored in residential zones.
Des Moines requires driveways to meet city standards for width, surface material, and access. Vehicles must be parked on approved hard surfaces, not on lawns. Driveway approaches require permits.
Des Moines enforces citywide street parking regulations including 48-hour limits on residential streets, snow emergency alternate-side parking, and metered downtown parking. Vehicles must not obstruct traffic or block driveways.
Des Moines regulates the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers on residential properties. Vehicles must generally be stored in rear yards or driveways, not on the street long-term.
Iowa Code 321.89 lets a police authority impound a vehicle abandoned on public property (24-hour trigger) or private property. Separately, Polk County's Nuisance Regulation bans storing any unlicensed, unsafe or inoperable vehicle outdoors as a health nuisance the County can abate.
Polk County's Zoning Ordinance treats a place storing more than two inoperable vehicles (or parts exceeding 240 cubic feet) as a junkyard, which is a restricted use. Storing inoperable large vehicles, machinery or vehicular parts outdoors is also a health nuisance. Cities set residential size limits.
Polk County's rural county roads are largely uncurbed, so there is no county curb-color parking code; roadway traffic-control markings follow the state and MUTCD standards. Off-street parking lots must stripe standard-size stalls and provide accessible spaces per Iowa Code 321L and the ADA. Curb-color enforcement is a city matter.
The Polk County Zoning Ordinance requires off-street loading berths for buildings of 6,000+ square feet that need deliveries. Berth counts scale with floor area, each berth is at least 250 square feet, and loading areas must be paved. No truck may block the public right-of-way while loading.
Des Moines zoning permits carports as accessory structures in residential districts. Building permit required. Setback, height, and coverage rules apply per Chapter 135 accessory structure tables.
Des Moines does not allow detached tiny houses below 1,100 sq ft as a primary dwelling under Chapter 134 (Zoning Ordinance), but it does permit Accessory Household Units (AHUs) up to 1,000 sq ft or 50% of the primary house floor area on lots zoned N, NX, A, DXR, RX1, or RX2 (Ordinance 15,816, eff. Dec. 16, 2019).
Des Moines Chapter 134 has historically required the property owner to reside on-site (in either the primary dwelling or the ADU) as a condition of ADU permit issuance. Verification is by recorded affidavit. Iowa has no statewide preemption of owner-occupancy mandates. HOA covenants may impose additional restrictions enforced under Iowa Code Chapter 499B (condominium) and common-law restrictive covenants.
Iowa does not authorize municipal impact fees by general statute, so Des Moines does not assess traditional development impact fees on ADUs. Standard building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees apply under the schedule adopted by City Council. Des Moines Water Works and the Wastewater Reclamation Authority charge connection fees only if new utility service is required for the ADU.
Des Moines requires a Rental Housing Permit under Chapter 60 (Housing) for any residential rental, including ADUs rented long-term. Short-term rentals (under 31 days) are regulated as 'transient occupancy lodging' under Chapter 134 with additional zoning approval and Hotel-Motel Tax remittance. Iowa Code 562A (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) governs long-term tenancies. Iowa Code 364.3(11) preempts local rent control.
Des Moines permits Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) under the Zoning Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 134, PlanDSM-aligned). ADUs are allowed in most residential zones (N1, N2, N3 neighborhood districts) as part of the 2019 zoning code overhaul. One ADU per single-family lot is permitted. Building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits route through the Des Moines Development Services Department. Iowa has no statewide ADU preemption; Title IX of the Iowa Code leaves zoning to home-rule municipalities.
Des Moines requires permits for most accessory structures. Sheds must comply with zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage maximums. Small structures under a certain size may be exempt from permit requirements.
Garage conversions to living space in Des Moines require building permits and must meet residential building code standards. Off-street parking requirements must still be satisfied after conversion.
Des Moines expanded ADU allowances in 2022 and Iowa SF 592 further requires cities to permit ADUs. ADUs up to 1,000 sq ft or half the primary dwelling size are allowed. The city offers a 10-year tax abatement on ADU value.
Des Moines allows home occupations in residential zones as an accessory use under the zoning ordinance. The business must be secondary to the residential use, with no exterior evidence of the business and limited customer visits.
Des Moines prohibits exterior signage for home occupations in residential zones. No signs, banners, or displays advertising the business may be placed on the property or visible from outside the home.
Des Moines limits customer and client traffic to home-based businesses. Home occupations must not generate traffic beyond what is normal for a residential neighborhood. Deliveries and visits must be minimal.
Under Iowa Code 137F.20, cottage food is exempt from all state licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging and labeling laws if sold and delivered by the producer directly to the consumer. Products must still carry name/address, common name, ingredients, and a residential-property disclaimer label.
Customary Home Occupation Class I is a permitted use in essentially every Polk County zoning district, and Class II is permitted in the qualifying rural/residential districts. Confirm your parcel and use with Polk County Planning & Development before starting a home business in the unincorporated county.
Iowa allows an unregistered "child care home" to care for five or fewer children (or six or fewer if one is school-aged). A "child development home" providing care to seven or more children must register with Iowa HHS under 441 IAC 110. Polk County zoning treats it as a Day
Des Moines applies the Iowa-adopted International Building and Fire Codes under Chapter 8 to require sprinklers in most multi-family and large new construction, with one- and two-family dwellings governed by IRC amendments rather than a citywide mandate.
Des Moines requires exit doors in commercial, assembly, and multi-family buildings to comply with International Building Code egress hardware standards under Chapter 8, prohibiting key-operated locks on required egress doors except in narrow approved cases.
Des Moines requires property owners under Chapter 60 nuisance and Chapter 8 building rules to keep buildings free from rats, roaches, bed bugs, and other vermin, with rental owners responsible for extermination during tenancy under Iowa habitability law.
Scaffolding on Des Moines construction sites must comply with OSHA Subpart L and Iowa OSHA enforcement, while right-of-way encroachment, sidewalk closures, and pedestrian protection are permitted by the city Engineering Department.
Des Moines does not impose a mandatory green building code beyond Iowa's adopted IECC energy code, but the 2024 Climate Action Plan promotes voluntary high-performance standards, EV-ready wiring, and electrification incentives for new construction.
Des Moines enforces lead-safe practices in pre-1978 housing through Chapter 8 building rules, Chapter 60 nuisance enforcement, and federal EPA RRP rules, with Polk County Public Health managing childhood lead poisoning case investigations.
Elevators in Des Moines buildings are regulated under Iowa Code Chapter 89A by the state Elevator Safety Bureau within Iowa Workforce Development, requiring annual inspections, state permits, and licensed contractors for installation and repair.
Childcare centers in Des Moines must meet Iowa Department of Health and Human Services licensing standards plus IBC Group E or I-4 building, fire, and egress rules under Chapter 8, with state inspections layered on top of city building permits.
Iowa law preempts most municipal rent regulation. Des Moines cannot cap rent increases on private market-rate housing, and tenants rely on lease terms and the Iowa URLTA in Iowa Code Ch. 562A for protections.
Des Moines requires owners of residential rental property to register and obtain a rental certificate of compliance. Periodic inspections through the rental housing program enforce minimum housing standards under Code Ch. 60.
Des Moines amended its Civil and Human Rights Code to bar housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Landlords may not refuse a tenant solely because rent is paid with a voucher.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders in Des Moines are protected from refusal under the citys source-of-income ordinance. Landlords with covered units must accept vouchers from otherwise qualified applicants and follow standard screening.
Des Moines does not impose a just-cause eviction standard. Under the Iowa URLTA, Iowa Code Ch. 562A, landlords may end month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice for any non-discriminatory reason.
Iowa Code Ch. 562A.12 limits residential security deposits to two months rent and requires return within 30 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. Des Moines follows this state standard.
Des Moines does not have a standalone tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenant protections come from Iowa Code 562A.36 retaliation rules and federal Fair Housing Act standards prohibiting harassment based on protected class.
Iowa Code Sec. 562A.27(2) lets a landlord terminate after 3 days' written notice for nonpayment of rent. For other material lease breaches, Sec. 562A.27(1) requires a 7-day notice with a chance to cure. Under Sec. 562A.27A, a tenant who creates a clear and present danger may be removed after a single 3-day notice to quit.
Iowa Code Sec. 562A.15 requires landlords to keep rental units fit and habitable, comply with codes affecting health and safety, maintain common areas and major systems, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and heat. Tenants may terminate after a 7-day cure window (Sec. 562A.21) or repair and deduct for lost essential services (Sec. 562A.23).
Under Iowa Code Sec. 562A.19, a landlord must give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice before entering and may enter only at reasonable times, except in an emergency. Tenants may not unreasonably withhold consent for inspections, repairs, services, or showings, and landlords may not abuse access to harass the tenant.
Iowa Code Sec. 562A.9(4) caps late fees by rent amount. If monthly rent is $700 or less, a lease may not charge over $12 per day or $60 per month total. If rent is more than $700, the cap is $20 per day or $100 per month total. A lease term exceeding these limits is unenforceable.
Iowa Code Sec. 562A.34 lets either party end a month-to-month tenancy with at least 30 days' written notice before the periodic rental date, a week-to-week tenancy with at least 10 days' notice, and a longer term with 30 days' notice before it ends. A willful, bad-faith holdover exposes the tenant to actual damages and attorney fees.
Iowa has no rent control and no statute setting a dedicated rent-increase notice period or cap. A rent change for a month-to-month tenancy works as a new term, so a landlord effectively gives the same 30 days' written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy under Iowa Code Sec. 562A.34.
Iowa generally requires 10 years of open, hostile, exclusive and continuous possession under a claim of right or color of title to claim title by adverse possession, reflected in the 10-year limitation of Iowa Code Sec. 614.17A. Occupying claimants with color of title gain added protection under Chapter 560. Squatters lacking these elements are trespassers removable through court action.
Polk County Public Health (under Iowa DIA contract) inspects Des Moines food establishments and posts inspection reports online, though Iowa does not use letter grades like A/B/C systems.
Des Moines property owners must keep premises free of rodent harborage; Polk County Public Health investigates rodent complaints and the city Neighborhood Services Department issues abatement orders.
Des Moines rental property owners must address bed bug infestations as a habitability issue under Ch. 60 housing standards; tenants must cooperate with treatment and avoid moving infested items.
Iowa law allows pharmacy syringe sales without prescription and Des Moines residents can dispose of household sharps via Metro Waste Authority programs; needle exchanges are limited under state law.
Iowa food code requires every Des Moines food establishment to employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager who has passed an ANSI-accredited exam such as ServSafe.
Des Moines does not have a dedicated sit-lie ordinance. Sidewalk and right-of-way obstruction is enforced through general public-conduct provisions in Code Ch. 86 Streets and Ch. 60 Misdemeanors, applied to all users equally.
Des Moines clears unsanctioned encampments through coordinated cleanups led by Public Works, Police, and the Polk County Continuum of Care. Outreach by Joppa and partner agencies precedes most clearances and offers shelter referral.
Des Moines relies on a network of shelter and bridge-housing providers coordinated by the Polk County Continuum of Care. Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Hope Ministries, and Primary Health Care provide intake, day services, and bridge beds.
Iowa licenses medical cannabidiol dispensaries under Iowa Code §124E; Des Moines hosts state-licensed dispensaries subject to standard commercial zoning and state buffer requirements.
Iowa prohibits all home cannabis cultivation, including by registered medical cannabidiol patients; Des Moines residents cannot legally grow any cannabis plants for personal or medical use.
Iowa medical cannabidiol dispensaries follow state siting and security rules; Des Moines applies general commercial zoning rather than a specific cannabis buffer like recreational-state cities use.
Iowa does not authorize home delivery of medical cannabidiol; registered patients must pick up products in person at a state-licensed Des Moines dispensary or use a designated caregiver.
Iowa Code §455B.302 (2017) prohibits Iowa cities and counties from banning, taxing, or regulating plastic bags, foam containers, and similar auxiliary containers; Des Moines has no plastic bag fee.
Iowa Code §455B.302 also preempts local bans on polystyrene foam food containers; Des Moines cannot prohibit Styrofoam takeout boxes or cups regardless of environmental concerns.
Iowa's auxiliary-container preemption blocks Des Moines from requiring straws-on-request or banning plastic straws; restaurants may voluntarily adopt paper or no-straw policies.
Des Moines has not enacted a flavored tobacco or menthol ban; flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes remain legal at retail subject to federal FDA rules and Iowa age-21 enforcement.
Iowa raised the legal sales age for tobacco, vape, and alternative nicotine products to 21 under Iowa Code §453A.2; Des Moines retailers must verify ID and cannot sell to anyone under 21.
Des Moines retailers selling e-cigarettes and alternative nicotine products must hold a city tobacco permit and a state Alternative Nicotine permit issued by Iowa ABD under Iowa Code §453A.
Des Moines requires stormwater management plans for development sites disturbing one acre or more, plus permanent post-construction best management practices to control runoff into the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.
Des Moines adopted a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan in 2024 committing the city to net-zero community greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with interim 28% reduction by 2030 and 100% renewable city operations.
Des Moines has no general idling cap ordinance, but state truck-stop electrification rules and DSM school zone signage discourage diesel idling near schools, hospitals, and residential areas to protect air quality.
Des Moines applies sustainable procurement preferences for city departments, favoring Energy Star, recycled-content paper, EV and hybrid fleet vehicles, and low-VOC products under the city Sustainability Office purchasing guidance.
Des Moines addresses urban heat islands through tree planting, cool roof incentives in new commercial construction, and equity-focused canopy expansion in low-income neighborhoods identified in the 2024 Climate Action Plan.
Des Moines Chapter 42, Article XI requires grading permits for land-disturbing activities meeting specific size thresholds, especially near floodplains and waterways. Projects disturbing one acre or more must also obtain an Iowa DNR stormwater construction permit.
Des Moines is a landlocked city in central Iowa with no coastline, so no coastal development ordinance exists. Development near the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers is regulated by the city's floodplain management ordinance and FEMA flood maps under Chapter 42.
Des Moines requires a grading permit and erosion and sediment control plan for most land-disturbing activities. Chapter 42, Article XI governs stormwater management, drainage, erosion, and grading, requiring Best Management Practices (BMPs) on construction sites.
Des Moines has significant flood risk areas along the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. The city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A Floodplain Development Permit is required for any construction or development in mapped flood hazard areas.
Des Moines Water Works, the regional water utility serving DSM and surrounding cities, asks customers to follow voluntary odd-even outdoor watering schedules during summer peak demand and may impose mandatory restrictions during drought emergencies.
Des Moines does not mandate turf replacement, but DSM Water Works and the city promote native plant landscapes and rain gardens through education and rebate partnerships, particularly for stormwater and drought benefits along the Raccoon River watershed.
Des Moines Water Works customers must report visible water main breaks, hydrant damage, and curb-stop leaks promptly; DMWW dispatches emergency crews 24/7, and customer-side leaks beyond the meter remain the property owner responsibility.
Des Moines encourages higher-density transit-oriented development along DART bus corridors and at proposed bus rapid transit stations, with PlanDSM 2040 prioritizing walkable mixed-use nodes near MLK and University Avenue routes.
Des Moines adopted PlanDSM 2040 as the comprehensive plan and replaced its old Euclidean zoning with a form-based code in Chapter 134 of the Municipal Code, regulating land use, building form, and street character across distinct context districts.
Des Moines offers density bonuses, height increases, and parking reductions for projects that include affordable units, especially in downtown and mixed-use corridors under PlanDSM 2040 implementation tools and tax increment financing agreements.
Des Moines operates striped bike lanes, protected lanes downtown, and connections to the Greater Des Moines Trails network of roughly 800 paved miles; cyclists must follow Iowa rules of the road and DSM trail-specific speed and yielding rules.
Des Moines operates Automated Traffic Enforcement cameras at select intersections and along Interstate 235, generating civil citations; Iowa courts and legislature have repeatedly limited the program but DSM cameras remain operational under state oversight.
Des Moines Forestry Division regulates planting, pruning, and removal of trees in the public parkway between sidewalk and curb; residents must obtain a permit and choose from an approved species list to plant or remove parkway trees.
Des Moines targets equitable urban canopy expansion, prioritizing low-canopy neighborhoods such as Capitol East and parts of the south side, with the Climate Action Plan setting a 40% citywide canopy goal and Forestry partnering with nonprofits on planting drives.
Des Moines requires an approved tree removal and mitigation plan for any development activity triggering grading permits, site plans, or subdivision plats under Chapter 42, Article X. Tree replacement plantings are required to offset removals.
Des Moines Chapter 42, Article X requires a tree removal and mitigation plan before obtaining grading permits, site plans, or subdivision approvals. Mature trees must be preserved or replaced at a ratio of one replacement tree per 2,000 square feet of removed canopy area.
Des Moines requires a tree removal and mitigation plan for any development activity under Chapter 42, Article X. No grading permit, site plan, or subdivision plat is approved until a plan is filed. Preserved trees must be protected during construction, and removed trees must be replaced.
Des Moines licenses adult entertainment establishments under Ch. 42 with strict zoning buffers, age restrictions, and operational limits enforced by the City Clerk and DSMPD vice unit.
Massage establishments operating in Des Moines must hold a city business license and employ Iowa-licensed massage therapists under IDPH rules, with DSMPD authority to inspect for human-trafficking indicators.
Secondhand goods dealers and pawn-style resale shops in Des Moines must register with DSMPD and report transactions through the LeadsOnline system to help recover stolen property.
Des Moines tobacco retailers need an Iowa state permit plus city compliance, with strict 21+ age verification under IA Code §453A.2 and routine compliance checks by DSMPD and Polk County Health.
Tow operators working private-property impounds and DSMPD rotation calls in Des Moines must hold city permits, post rate sheets, and follow Iowa Code §321.90 release-of-property rules.
Des Moines prohibits aggressive panhandling under Ch. 70, banning threatening conduct, blocking pedestrians, and solicitation near ATMs, while protecting passive panhandling as constitutional speech.
Public urination and defecation in Des Moines are simple misdemeanors under Ch. 70, enforced citywide with heightened attention in the Court Avenue entertainment district by DSMPD.
Des Moines bans open alcohol containers on public streets, sidewalks, and in vehicles under Ch. 22 and Iowa Code §321.284, with limited exceptions for licensed event zones during festivals.
Iowa Smokefree Air Act bans smoking in most enclosed workplaces and at outdoor city facilities; Des Moines extends bans to playgrounds and Principal Park while leaving sidewalks generally permissive.
Des Moines loud-party calls trigger DSMPD response under noise ordinance Ch. 42, with second-response fees, host liability for underage drinking, and possible nuisance designations for repeat addresses.
Iowa Code §331.304 preempts local minimum wage laws statewide; the 2017 HF 295 retroactively voided the Polk County and Des Moines wage increases, leaving the federal $7.25 floor in effect.
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.
Iowa Code 331.301(6) and 364.3(12) bar cities and counties from imposing predictive scheduling, hiring, or workplace rules on private employers.
Iowa SF 481 (2018) prohibits cities and counties from adopting sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities; Des Moines and Polk County must honor ICE detainers or risk state funding loss.
Iowa has no statewide mandate requiring private employers to use E-Verify, though state agencies and certain contractors must verify employment eligibility.
Des Moines regulates when and where residents place trash and recycling containers for collection under Chapter 98. Carts must be curbside by 7 a.m. on collection day and may not be set out earlier than 5 p.m. the prior evening.
Des Moines Chapter 98 mandates weekly curbside garbage collection with strict cart placement rules. Carts must be at the curb by 7 AM on collection day, no earlier than 5 PM the prior evening. Recycling is city-provided weekly; multifamily properties with 5+ units must provide on-site recycling.
Des Moines residents must attach paid stickers to bulk items that do not fit in their standard waste cart. Large furniture and similar items need a $5 pink sticker each; appliances require seven stickers ($35 total). Items must be curbed by 7 AM on your scheduled collection day.
Recycle paper, plastics with twist-off lids, aluminum and tin cans, and glass bottles and jars. Rinse them, keep them loose, and never bag recyclables – plastic bags are not recyclable in your cart.
Iowa Code 455B.307A bans discarding solid waste onto any land or water of the state or into receptacles you're not authorized to use. Violators face a civil penalty up to $1,000 per violation, plus county nuisance abatement.
Des Moines Chapters 134 and 135 regulate lot coverage and setbacks in residential Neighborhood (N) districts. For standard House A, B, and C building types, maximum building coverage is 35% and maximum total impervious area is 55%. Front yard impervious area is limited to 25%.
Des Moines establishes building setbacks by zoning district through Chapters 134 and 135. Residential districts use a block-averaging approach for front setbacks, with minimum side yards of 5–8 feet and rear yards of 25–35 feet, depending on building type and district.
Des Moines limits building heights through Chapter 135 building-type standards and Chapter 134 district rules. Residential buildings in Neighborhood (N) districts are generally capped at 2.5 stories; mixed-use and commercial districts allow greater heights, reviewed through the development approval process.
Des Moines allows temporary signs advertising yard sales, garage sales, and open houses only during the event. Signs may not exceed 6 square feet in area or 4 feet in height, must stay off public rights-of-way, and must be removed once the event ends.
Des Moines exempts non-commercial seasonal and holiday decorations from sign permit requirements under Chapter 26, Article VIII. Residential holiday displays — lights, wreaths, inflatable decorations — do not require a permit provided they carry no commercial message.
Temporary political signs are allowed in unincorporated Polk County without a sign permit, but may not be erected earlier than 70 days before the election and must comply with Iowa Code 68A.406.
Des Moines requires a Mobile Vendor or Transient Merchant License under Chapter 78 (Peddlers and Solicitors) to operate a food truck. Vending is permitted at six designated city parks and approved street locations; special events in downtown require a separate special-events permit.
Iowa Code Chapter 137F universally requires state food establishment licenses for mobile food units operating anywhere in Iowa. The state license is a prerequisite for any local food truck permit and applies uniformly statewide.
Des Moines requires all peddlers and solicitors to obtain a city license before conducting business. Applicants must submit a written application, pass a state criminal background check, be fingerprinted and photographed by police, and post a $1,000 surety bond.
Des Moines Municipal Code Chapter 78 makes it unlawful for peddlers or solicitors to approach any property displaying a visible 'No Soliciting' or 'No Peddling' sign. All solicitors must be licensed; door-to-door activity is restricted to 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Des Moines limits residential properties to two garage or yard sales per calendar year. Each sale may last no more than four consecutive days, and sales are permitted only in residential zoning districts between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. No permit is required.
Des Moines restricts residential garage and yard sales to no more than two events per calendar year, each lasting a maximum of four consecutive days. No permit is required, but sales must occur only in residential zoning districts and follow hours set by the nuisance code.
Des Moines does not require a permit to hold a garage or yard sale, but limits residents to two sales per year, each lasting no more than four consecutive days. Sales are only allowed in residential zoning districts.
Des Moines prohibits vegetation over 12 inches and accumulations of junk, debris, or rubbish on vacant lots under the city's nuisance code. The Neighborhood Services Zoning Enforcement Division inspects and can abate violations at the owner's expense.
Des Moines Chapter 98 (Solid Waste) regulates residential garbage container specifications and placement. City-issued wheeled carts must be placed at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day, no earlier than 5 p.m. the previous evening, and within 18 inches of the street.
Des Moines enforces a Blighted Structure Code under Chapter 60, Article III, authorizing the city to order repair, rehabilitation, or demolition of properties deemed blighted. Owners must remediate or face city-led abatement with costs assessed against the property.
Des Moines residents may hold no more than two garage sales per year, each lasting a maximum of four consecutive days. Sales must involve used household goods sold by the owner on a non-commercial, non-profit basis. Exceeding these limits requires a business license.
Under Iowa's noxious weed law (Iowa Code 317.10), every landowner must destroy noxious weeds on their land. Polk County treats weeds over 12 inches as a viable complaint; contact the Polk County Weed Commission.
Iowa Code section 364.12 universally authorizes cities to require abutting property owners to remove snow, ice, and accumulations from sidewalks. The statute creates statewide tort liability protection for cities meeting its terms.
Des Moines enforces a juvenile curfew under Ch. 86 (Police). Minors under 18 must be off public streets during nighttime hours unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or a recognized exception applies.
Des Moines Municipal Code Chapter 74 establishes hours of operation for all city parks, set by the Parks and Recreation Board. Entering or remaining in a city park outside posted hours is prohibited. Overnight use requires a special permit under § 74-101.
Des Moines requires building and electrical permits for rooftop solar photovoltaic installations under Chapter 26. Permits are obtained through the Permit and Development Center; the process follows the International Building and Energy Conservation Codes as locally adopted.
Iowa Code section 564A.7 universally voids unreasonable homeowner association restrictions on solar collectors, ensuring statewide solar access rights that supersede contrary covenant terms recorded after July 1, 2014.
Des Moines prohibits outdoor lighting that causes glare or spills onto adjacent residential properties and public rights-of-way. Chapter 134 Article IV and Chapter 135 site-design standards require shielded, downward-directed fixtures. No standalone foot-candle or curfew ordinance has been adopted.
Des Moines regulates outdoor lighting through Chapter 134 (Zoning) general requirements, prohibiting glare that impacts neighboring properties, but has not adopted a formal dark sky or International Dark-Sky Association ordinance with color-temperature or curfew rules.
Des Moines Fire Code under Chapter 26, Article XII adopts the International Fire Code (IFC). IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tanks over 1 pound on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings of three or more units, and within 10 feet of combustible construction. Charcoal grills follow the same clearance. Sprinklered buildings (NFPA 13 or 13R) may qualify for exceptions. Iowa has no statewide preemption of local fire rules.
Des Moines has no smoker-specific ordinance. Open burning is regulated under Chapter 70 (Fire Prevention) and Iowa Code 100B with cooking-fire exemptions. Iowa Administrative Code 567-23 (Air Quality) regulates emissions but exempts residential cooking. Nuisance smoke is enforceable under Chapter 42 (Nuisances). Iowa's humid summer climate keeps smoke close to ground, raising neighbor-complaint risk in tighter neighborhoods like East Village and Sherman Hill.
Des Moines requires building permits for permanent outdoor kitchen installations with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs under Chapter 26 (Buildings) and Chapter 134 (Zoning). Standalone freestanding grills require no permit. Iowa Code Chapter 103 (Electrical) and Chapter 105 (Plumbing) license requirements apply. Landmark Review Board review applies in designated historic districts.
Des Moines has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed primarily by HOA and condominium covenants under Iowa Code Chapter 499B. Iowa Code Chapter 657 (Nuisance) could theoretically apply to extreme glare. Landmark Review Board review under Chapter 58 applies to permanent installations in historic districts. Christmas displays in Beaverdale and East Village are a regional draw.
Des Moines has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Chapter 60 (Housing) requires reasonable property maintenance and could apply only if ornaments create blight or vector-pest conditions. Chapter 134 (Zoning) accessory-structure rules apply if an ornament becomes a structure. Landmark Review Board review applies in historic districts under Chapter 58. HOA covenants commonly regulate ornaments.
Des Moines has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 48 (Noise) standards could theoretically apply to overnight blower motors. HOA and condominium covenants commonly restrict size, placement, and animation under Iowa Code Chapter 499B. Iowa's snowy winters and high winds along the Des Moines River corridor routinely damage inflatables. Iowa has no state preemption.
Commercial drone flights in Iowa require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and compliance with federal airspace rules. State-level limits in Iowa Code 808.15 restrict government drone-gathered evidence, and FAA preemption blocks most local airspace ordinances.
Recreational drone use in Iowa is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 and the Recreational Flyers exception, with state limits in Iowa Code 808.15 on government surveillance. Iowa cities have not enacted drone-specific ordinances and are encouraged to defer to federal airspace rules.
Iowa allows permitless concealed carry for adults 21 and older as of 2021, while still issuing optional non-professional permits for reciprocity.
Iowa Code 724.28 broadly preempts cities and counties from regulating firearms, ammunition, components, and accessories more strictly than state law.
Iowa permits open carry of handguns by qualifying adults statewide, though local preemption under Iowa Code 724.28 prevents stricter city rules.
Iowa allows qualifying adults 21 and older to carry loaded handguns in private vehicles without a permit under permitless carry reforms in House File 756.
Iowa has no general HOA assessment statute, so a planned-community HOA's lien rights come from its recorded declaration plus contract law. For condominiums under the Horizontal Property Act, Iowa Code § 499B.17 gives the co-owners a priority lien for unpaid common expenses that may be foreclosed like a mortgage.
An Iowa HOA organized as a nonprofit corporation follows the Revised Iowa Nonprofit Corporation Act (Ch. 504): an annual membership meeting is required (§ 504.701), members may inspect corporate records on written notice (§ 504.1602), and directors are elected and may vote by written ballot (§ 504.708).
Iowa has no statute setting covenant or architectural-review standards for HOAs. Restrictive covenants are enforced as recorded equitable servitudes under common law and the declaration. County zoning under Iowa Code Ch. 335 does not override recorded covenants, so private CC&Rs remain independently enforceable.
Iowa has no statute authorizing, capping, or regulating HOA fines. Whether an association may fine at all, the dollar amount, and any notice or hearing rights come entirely from the recorded CC&Rs and bylaws. If the governing documents do not grant fining power, the HOA generally has none.
Iowa gives HOAs broad freedom because no general state act limits them, but one targeted protection exists: under Iowa Code § 564A.8, cities and counties may prohibit new-subdivision deeds from carrying 'unreasonable restrictions on the use of solar collectors.' Iowa also lets owners obtain recorded solar access easements (Ch. 564A).
Iowa Code 335.2 exempts most farm structures and uses from county zoning regulations, preserving broad rights to operate agricultural land.
Iowa Code 657.11 protects qualifying animal feeding operations and farms from most nuisance suits unless plaintiffs prove specified statutory exceptions.