Des Moines, IA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Grass/weed height limit
- 10 inches maximum on developed lots
- Enforcing office
- Neighborhood inspections administrator (weed official)
- Notice before abatement
- 10 days by mail, publication or placard
- Nonpayment consequence
- Admin fee plus cost assessed as tax lien
Summary
Des Moines caps grass and weeds at ten inches on developed lots citywide, with exceptions for vegetable and flower gardens, native plantings and farmland, enforced by the neighborhood inspections administrator.
(1)The property owner of all developed lots within the city shall keep the property free from weeds.(2)Property owners of developed lots may not allow grass on such lot to exceed ten inches in height.(3)Property owners of developed lots may not allow for the uncontrolled growth of vegetation in areas unfit or unreasonable for such growth as determined by the weed official.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Des Moines Municipal Code § 42-568 requires every developed lot's owner to keep the property free of weeds and bars grass over ten inches in height; uncontrolled vegetation growth in areas the weed official finds unfit is also prohibited. The weed official (the neighborhood inspections administrator) gives ten days' notice by publication, posted placard, or mail before abating violations. Owners who miss the deadline face city abatement, an administrative fee, and the actual cost of the work assessed against the property like a tax lien, plus possible misdemeanor or municipal infraction charges under § 1-15. Vegetable and flower gardens, native plantings, woody perennials, farmland, and natural areas are exempt if kept free of weeds.
Violations & Fines
Missed abatement deadlines bring city mowing, an administrative fee, and the full cost assessed against the property as a tax lien; repeat or willful violations can bring misdemeanor or municipal infraction fines under § 1-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my vegetable or flower garden grow taller than 10 inches in Des Moines?
What happens if I ignore a Des Moines weed notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
How Des Moines compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare Des Moines to another location·View the Iowa landscaping rules overview
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