Des Moines Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules Rules (2026)

Des Moines amended its Zoning Ordinance through Ordinance 15,844, effective December 16, 2019, to define and regulate short-term commercial rentals. Section 134-3.5.12 defines a short-term commercial rental as use of a household unit for commercial lodging for compensation for periods of less than 30 consecutive days. The use is permitted only with Board of Adjustment approval plus a rental certificate from the Neighborhood Inspections Zoning Division at the Argonne Armory, 602 Robert D Ray Drive, 1st Floor (515-283-4046, nid@dmgov.org). Only one short-term rental is allowed per single-household detached structure. In NX2a districts, the rental must be either owner-occupied or tenant-occupied with the property owner's written consent. Operators must maintain liability insurance with minimum coverage of $500,000 for bodily injury and property damage, with the policy required to defend and indemnify the owner, additional insureds, and tenants. Iowa Code Section 335A.1 (2017) preempts cities from prohibiting STRs but permits reasonable regulation, which is the legal basis for Des Moines' registration framework. Hosts must also register for an Iowa sales tax permit and collect Des Moines' 7% local hotel/motel tax on top of the 5% state hotel/motel tax. Confirm current annual fees with the Neighborhood Inspections Zoning Division at 515-283-4046.