West Des Moines, IA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in West Des Moines, IA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Rental inspection certificate, City Code 8-2A-16.A
- STR threshold
- Stay of 30 days or less
- Inspection cycle
- Every 2 years, Building Division
- Certificate validity
- 2 years from inspection
- Revocation trigger
- 3+ nuisance violations in 12 months
- Max penalty
- $750 first offense, $1,000 repeat
Summary
In the City of West Des Moines, anyone renting out a dwelling, dwelling unit, or even a single room for 30 days or less must hold a valid rental inspection certificate under City Code Section 8-2A-16 before renting it, a requirement the zoning code applies directly to short-term rentals in Section 9-5-4.D.
A. Rental Inspection Certificate Required: No person shall rent, lease, let, operate, or otherwise allow the occupancy of any dwelling or dwelling unit or any portion of any dwelling or dwelling unit (including single rooms) on a short- or long-term basis unless they hold a valid rental inspection certificate. ... ... D. Short Term Rental: All dwellings or dwelling units as defined in Title 8, Chapter 2, Article A of this Code and Chapter 2, Section 2, "Definitions" within this title, offered for a fee for a period of thirty (30) days or less shall be subject to the requirements of Title 8, Chapter 2, Article A, "Building Code", Subsection 15, Rental Housing of this Code, this title, and Iowa Code chapter 423A subject to the exemptions provided therein, and any requirements imposed by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, except that no inspection fee shall be charged.
Full Breakdown
City Code Section 9-5-4.D classifies any dwelling offered for a fee for 30 days or less as a short-term rental and subjects it to Title 8, Chapter 2, Article A's rental housing requirements, this title's zoning standards, and Iowa Code chapter 423A's hotel and motel tax, though the City charges no separate inspection fee tied to that state tax compliance. Section 8-2A-16.A bars anyone from renting, leasing, letting, or otherwise allowing occupancy of any dwelling, dwelling unit, or single room, short- or long-term, without a valid rental inspection certificate issued by the Building Division.
Owners who live outside Polk, Dallas, Warren, or Madison County, or a contiguous county, must designate a local agent for inspections and service of process under Section 8-2A-16.D. The Building Division seeks to inspect every rental every two years, adjusting the schedule for factors such as inspection history, tenant complaints, smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance, and Crime-Free Multi-Housing status with the West Des Moines Police Department under Section 8-2A-16.E. A certificate issued under Section 8-2A-16.K/L is valid for two years from inspection, and fees are set by City Council resolution and due within 30 days of billing under Section 8-2A-16.J.
Under Section 8-2A-16.I, the Building Official may deny or revoke a rental certificate, including for a short-term rental, if the owner has three or more unabated nuisance violations within any 12-month period or has otherwise failed to correct noticed City Code violations.
Violations & Fines
Renting without a current certificate lets the City post the property as an illegal rental with door hangers or yard signs and notify tenants under Section 8-2A-16.B, and the Building Official may order rent abated for unresolved life-safety conditions or an unlicensed rental under Section 8-2A-16.C. Beyond certificate-specific remedies, any City Code violation carries the citywide civil penalty under Section 1-4-2: up to $750 per violation, rising to $1,000 for a repeat offense of the same provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in West Des Moines?
Who enforces the West Des Moines short-term rental rule?
What happens if I rent short-term without a certificate?
Does the City charge extra inspection fees for hotel or motel tax compliance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Des Moines
How West Des Moines compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare West Des Moines to another location·View the Iowa short-term rentals overview
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