Des Moines does not have a standalone tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenant protections come from Iowa Code 562A.36 retaliation rules and federal Fair Housing Act standards prohibiting harassment based on protected class.
Unlike Los Angeles or Seattle, Des Moines has not adopted a dedicated Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance. Tenant protections instead derive from Iowa Code 562A.36, which bars retaliation against tenants who complain to code enforcement, organize tenants, or exercise URLTA rights, and from the federal Fair Housing Act, which forbids harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. The Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission accepts complaints involving protected-class harassment. Tenants experiencing intimidation tactics like illegal lockouts or utility shutoffs can also pursue URLTA self-help and damages remedies in small claims court.
Retaliatory rent increases, illegal lockouts, utility shutoffs, or protected-class harassment can result in URLTA damages, fair-housing penalties, and Commission orders against the landlord.
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...
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