West Des Moines, IA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Section 4-5-9(C) of the West Des Moines City Code addresses composting directly within the solid waste chapter's container specifications. The owner or occupant of a property is encouraged to compost lawn refuse where it is generated, but the ordinance attaches real conditions: the material accumulated for composting must be restricted to the rear yard of the property, and it must be properly contained and processed so it does not create offensive odors, litter, fire, or vector problems, meaning it cannot attract rodents, insects, or other pests.

If a resident meets those conditions, the code treats composting as an acceptable alternative disposal method that satisfies the chapter's separate requirement to keep yard waste apart from other solid waste at collection time. The ordinance draws one bright line on what can go in the pile: material accumulated or used for composting cannot include any kitchen or food waste, limiting backyard compost to lawn and garden-type refuse such as grass clippings and leaves. Section 4-5-9(C)(2) also confirms that nothing in the chapter stops an owner from instead hauling their own yard waste to a City-approved composting station, provided they follow that station's own posted policies.

Because composting is voluntary rather than mandatory, section 4-5-2 places enforcement, to the extent a rear-yard pile creates a nuisance under section 4-5-8's accumulation rules, with the City Manager or a delegated representative.