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.
Iowa is a landlocked state and Des Moines has no ocean, bay, or coastal zone. No local coastal development ordinance exists, and the federal Coastal Zone Management Act does not apply. Land-disturbing activity near the Des Moines River, Raccoon River, or their tributaries is governed by Chapter 42 (Environment) floodplain regulations, which incorporate FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and require floodplain development permits for work in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). Iowa Code Chapter 455B (Iowa DNR) provides statewide environmental standards for waterways. Chapter 42, Article XI governs stormwater management, grading, and erosion control for all land-disturbing projects.
Unpermitted development in FEMA-mapped floodplains may result in stop-work orders, permit revocation, loss of federal flood insurance eligibility, and civil penalties under Chapter 42.
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Chapter 60 (Housing) requires reasonable property maintenance and could ...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 48 (Noise) standards could theoretically apply to overnight blow...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed primarily by HOA and cond...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines requires building permits for permanent outdoor kitchen installations with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs under Chapt...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no smoker-specific ordinance. Open burning is regulated under Chapter 70 (Fire Prevention) and Iowa Code 100B with cooking-fire exemptions. Io...
Des Moines, IA
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 tank...
See how Des Moines's coastal development rules stack up against other locations.
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