Des Moines, IA Noise Ordinances: Construction Hours (2026)
Construction hours in Des Moines, IA, sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances, set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Key Facts
- Quiet hours
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Covers
- construction, drilling, demolition tools
- Also covers
- preventive utility maintenance work
- Night exception
- Type "J" permit, nonprofit housing only
- Penalty
- simple misdemeanor or municipal infraction
Summary
Des Moines bans construction, drilling, and demolition noise between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. citywide, with narrow variances for utility maintenance and city-approved nonprofit housing projects working under an expedited construction schedule.
No person shall operate or permit the operation of any tools or equipment in construction, drilling or demolition work or in preventive maintenance work for public service utilities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
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
Section 42-260 of the Des Moines Municipal Code bars operating construction, drilling, or demolition tools and equipment, plus preventive maintenance work for public service utilities, between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. anywhere in the city. The community development and police departments enforce the cutoff on complaint. Contractors who need to run equipment beyond permitted hours must first get a sound permit under section 42-258, and residential builders working an expedited schedule for a nonprofit or philanthropic low- or moderate-income housing project can apply for a type "J" night-construction permit under sections 42-264 through 42-267.
Violations & Fines
Violating the construction quiet hours is a simple misdemeanor or municipal infraction under section 1-15, punishable by criminal or civil penalty, enforced by community development and police on complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can construction noise run in Des Moines?
Can a contractor get an exception to work at night?
Does the ban apply to utility repair work too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
How Des Moines compares: Cities with the Strictest Construction Hours·Compare Des Moines to another location·View the Iowa noise ordinances overview
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