West Des Moines, IA Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Ban starts
- Immediately upon mayor's proclamation
- Ban ends
- 5:00 PM the day after proclamation
- Scheduled fine
- $50.00 under City Code §6-6-16
- Who enforces
- Police, code enforcement, public works staff
- Public notice
- City website plus 2 radio, 2 TV stations
- Extensions
- Allowed if plowing needs more time
Summary
In the City of West Des Moines, no one may park, abandon, or leave a vehicle unattended on a public street, alley, or city-owned lot once the mayor or public works director proclaims a snow emergency. City Code section 6-6-7 keeps the ban running from the proclamation until 5:00 p.m. the following day, longer if crews need more time to clear snow and ice.
No person shall park, abandon, or leave unattended any vehicle on any public street, alley, or city owned off street parking area during any snow emergency proclaimed by the mayor, public works director, or their respective designees. A snow emergency parking ban shall continue from its proclamation through five o'clock (5:00) P.M. the following day. The mayor, public works director, or their respective designees may extend the duration of the parking ban if conditions require additional time to clear the snow and ice. ... In addition to enforcement of this section by police officers, code enforcement officials and public works employees have the authority to enforce the provisions of this section.
Full Breakdown
West Des Moines City Code section 6-6-7 bans parking, abandoning, or leaving any vehicle unattended on a public street, alley, or city-owned off-street parking area during a snow emergency proclaimed by the mayor, public works director, or their designee. The ban runs uniformly citywide from the moment it is proclaimed through 5:00 p.m. the following day, and the mayor or public works director can post a further extension that states the new expiration date and time. Before winter hits, the city is required to explain the rule to residents through the fall or winter edition of the WDM Magazine and on the city website, and once a snow emergency is called, the proclamation itself goes on the city website and is forwarded to at least two radio stations and two television stations that reach West Des Moines.
Section 6-6-7 does not suspend any other parking restriction already in place elsewhere in title 6, so a spot that is illegal to park in on an ordinary day stays illegal during a snow emergency too. Enforcement is not limited to police officers: code enforcement officials and public works employees are also authorized to write citation-complaints under this section and to impound vehicles left in violation of it.
Violations & Fines
A violation of section 6-6-7 carries a scheduled fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) under section 6-6-16, well above the standard fifteen-dollar fine that applies to most other parking offenses in this chapter. Police officers, code enforcement officials, and public works employees are all authorized to issue the citation-complaint, and section 6-6-15 lets any of them impound a vehicle found violating the snow ban under subsections A and G of that section. Fighting or paying the ticket follows the same finance department process as any other parking citation-complaint in the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when a snow emergency is in effect in West Des Moines?
How long does the parking ban last once it's called?
What happens if I leave my car on the street during the ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Des Moines
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