Does Des Moines, IA have its own minimum wage preemption ordinance?

No. Des Moines, IA does not appear to have a local minimum wage preemption ordinance, Iowa state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Iowa Code §331.304.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Des Moines

Des Moines, IA Employment Preemption: Minimum Wage Preemption (2026)

Few Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Floor: $7.25 federal
Tipped: $4.35 with credit
Preemption: IA Code §331.304
HF 295: 2017 retroactive

Summary

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.

331.304 Procedural limitations on general county powers... 12. a. A county shall not adopt, enforce, or otherwise administer an ordinance, motion, resolution, or amendment providing for any terms or conditions of employment that exceed or conflict with the requirements of federal or state law relating to a minimum or living wage rate, any form of employment leave, hiring practices, employment benefits, scheduling practices, or other terms or conditions of employment. b. An ordinance, motion, resolution, or amendment adopted prior to March 30, 2017, that violates this subsection is void and unenforceable on and after March 30, 2017.

Source: Iowa Code §331.304View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Iowa minimum wage is tied to the federal $7.25 per hour floor. In 2015 and 2016, Polk County passed a phased $10.75 minimum wage that applied to Des Moines, and Linn, Johnson, and Wapello Counties followed. In March 2017, the Iowa Legislature passed HF 295, signed by Governor Branstad, which retroactively preempted all local minimum-wage ordinances under IA Code §331.304. The law voided existing county increases and bars any city from setting a local floor. Tipped wage stays at $4.35 with tip credit. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act exemptions apply normally.

Violations & Fines

No local enforcement is possible; wage-and-hour complaints go to Iowa Workforce Development or the federal U.S. Department of Labor for FLSA enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Des Moines raise the wage?

No. HF 295 explicitly bars cities and counties from setting any local minimum wage above the state and federal $7.25 floor.

What happened to the 2016 Polk County hike?

It was voided retroactively by HF 295 in 2017. Some employers kept higher wages voluntarily, but no local government can enforce a local minimum.

Sources & Official References

[1]IA Code §331.304

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Compare Des Moines to another location·View the Iowa employment preemption overview

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