Polk County Public Health (under Iowa DIA contract) inspects Des Moines food establishments and posts inspection reports online, though Iowa does not use letter grades like A/B/C systems.
Des Moines restaurants are inspected by Polk County Public Health, the local delegated authority under Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Routine inspections occur 1-4 times annually based on risk category. Iowa uses a numerical violation system rather than letter grades; reports list priority, priority foundation, and core violations. Reports are public and posted at dia.iowa.gov. Critical violations require corrective action within 10 days or immediately for imminent health hazards. Foodborne illness complaints trigger unscheduled inspections. Operators must hold a current Iowa food license.
Failure to correct priority violations, operating without a license, refusing inspection, or repeat critical violations can result in fines, license suspension, or closure by Polk County Public Health.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Chapter 60 (Housing) requires reasonable property maintenance and could ...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Chapter 48 (Noise) standards could theoretically apply to overnight blow...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed primarily by HOA and cond...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines requires building permits for permanent outdoor kitchen installations with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs under Chapt...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines has no smoker-specific ordinance. Open burning is regulated under Chapter 70 (Fire Prevention) and Iowa Code 100B with cooking-fire exemptions. Io...
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines Fire Code under Chapter 26, Article XII adopts the International Fire Code (IFC). IFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas tank...
See how Des Moines's restaurant grade cards rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.