West Des Moines, IA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Title 9, Chapter 8, the Home Occupation Ordinance, defines a home occupation under section 9-8-3 as any occupation or profession conducted solely by the resident occupants in their place of abode, involving primarily service and limited sale of commodities on the premises. Section 9-8-4 requires a home occupation permit for every home occupation use in the city and bars commencement of the activity before the permit issues; the Director of Community Development sets the application form, routes it to affected city departments and divisions for comment, and may approve, conditionally approve or deny the request.

The Director's designee holds that same authority. Permits are valid only for the specific person and use approved, are not transferable to another operator or another business, and must be renewed every two years under section 9-8-4.C. Section 9-8-6 lets the Director attach conditions covering yard setbacks and open space, parking, fencing or screening, vehicular and pedestrian access, property maintenance, control of noise, odor and vibration, and hours of operation, tailored to protect the surrounding residential area. Every applicant must also pay the fee set by City Council resolution under section 9-8-7 before the application is accepted for processing, and the use must independently satisfy the 22 numbered restrictions listed in section 9-8-5, from the two-clients-per-hour appointment limit to the 500 square foot floor area cap.