Bolthole Index

Polk County, Iowa

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines, Iowa routes residential building applications through the city’s Building Inspection office and applies its own adopted building codes.12 West Des Moines also has city zoning; Polk County’s zoning rules cover unincorporated land instead.34 Private septic construction requires a Polk or Dallas County health-department permit, depending on the parcel’s county, with a copy filed with the city.5

At a glance

Building applications
City Building Inspection; residential applications online1
Zoning
City zoning districts and development procedures3
Septic permits
Polk or Dallas County, with a permit copy filed with the city5
RV sleeping
Outside approved parks, limited to non-paying guests for 30 non-consecutive days annually6
Accessory dwelling
Conditional second dwelling; building and fire codes apply7
R-1 lot area
7,500 square feet for standard lots; exceptions require review8

Who to call

Building permits

West Des Moines Building Inspection

Residential applications, construction plan review and construction inspections inside West Des Moines.

515-222-3630

[email protected]

4200 Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50265

Zoning

West Des Moines Development Services — Planning Division

City zoning, development proposals and site review.

515-222-3620

[email protected]

4200 Mills Civic Parkway

Septic permits

Polk County Environmental Health Services

Septic and well permits and inspections for the Polk County portion of West Des Moines.

515-286-3705

[email protected]

5885 NE 14 Street, Des Moines, IA 50313

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in West Des Moines means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in West Des Moines, IA?

West Des Moines has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code and International Building Code, subject to city amendments.2 Residential building applications are available through the city’s City Access Portal; paper submittals need prior approval.1

We could not confirm the complete city building-permit trigger for every project type, so ask West Des Moines Building Inspection about the proposed work before starting.1 The city requires contractors and property owners to receive inspection approval before covering work or occupying buildings.1

Who is the West Des Moines building department, and how do you reach it?

West Des Moines Building Inspection reviews construction plans and performs on-site inspections inside the city.1 Contact Building Inspection at 515-222-3630 or [email protected]; the office’s mailing location is 4200 Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50265.1

For zoning and site-review questions, contact the city’s Development Services Planning Division at 515-222-3620 or [email protected].9 Keep the wastewater application separate: West Des Moines requires a county health-department permit for private septic construction and a copy filed with the city’s Building Inspection Department.5

Does West Des Moines have zoning, lot-size and height limits?

West Des Moines has city zoning districts, a zoning map and development procedures.310 Confirm a parcel’s district and any planned-unit-development ordinance with the city’s Planning Division before choosing a house layout.109

In West Des Moines’s R-1 Single-Family Residential District, standard lots have a minimum area of 7,500 square feet; footprint lots and existing-lot exceptions need separate review.8 The city’s cited residential standards limit single-family dwellings to 3 stories, with other districts, overlays, planned developments and airport provisions potentially imposing different limits.11 We could not confirm a general minimum dwelling size; ask city Planning about the intended dwelling and district.9

How do septic permits work inside West Des Moines?

Before private septic construction in West Des Moines, the owner must obtain a permit from the Polk or Dallas County health department, depending on the parcel’s county, and file a copy with city Building Inspection.5 For the Polk County portion of West Des Moines, Polk County Environmental Health Services handles septic permits and inspections.12

West Des Moines subdivision rules require sewer connections where public sanitary sewer is reasonably accessible.13 For subdivision lots without sanitary sewer, soil percolation tests and county health approval for the private disposal system must accompany the building-permit application.14 Choosing private wastewater therefore does not remove county health review or city filing requirements.15

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in West Des Moines?

Outside an approved campground or RV park, West Des Moines allows RV sleeping only by non-paying guests of a single-family-dwelling occupant, for no more than 30 non-consecutive days per calendar year, subject to parking and storage rules.6 Sleeping is prohibited in an RV parked on a public or private street, off-street parking lot or loading area.6 The guest allowance does not authorize an owner to live in an RV while building.6

West Des Moines conditionally allows an attached or detached second dwelling on a single-family property that meets the district’s bulk standards and applicable building and fire codes.7 The second dwelling cannot exceed 1,000 square feet or 50% of the single-family residence, whichever is larger; the measurement includes an attached garage.7 Ask city Planning to classify a proposed tiny home before treating the second-dwelling allowance as approval.9

Building a home in West Des Moines: what should you do first?

Start with West Des Moines Planning to confirm the parcel’s zoning district, any planned-unit-development rules and the proposed use.910 Next, establish whether the subdivision lot must connect to accessible sanitary sewer or needs soil tests and county approval for private wastewater.14 Submit the residential building application through the city’s City Access Portal, and file any required county septic permit copy with city Building Inspection.15

During construction, obtain city inspection approval before covering work or occupying the building.1 Polk County Environmental Health Services also issues permits and conducts inspections for new wells and plugging existing wells in its countywide jurisdiction.12 For land outside city limits, use the Polk County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area building and zoning rules.164

Watch-outs

  • West Des Moines’s RV guest allowance is limited to non-paying guests of a single-family-dwelling occupant; do not treat RV storage as residential approval.6
  • Confirm the parcel’s county before applying for a West Des Moines private septic system: the city code names Polk or Dallas County health authorities.17
  • We could not confirm West Des Moines owner-builder exemptions, current building-permit fees or complete floodplain-development requirements; ask city Building Inspection and Planning before committing to the project.19

Sources

  1. West Des Moines Building Inspection (wdm.iowa.gov)
  2. 8-2A-1: Adoption of Building Codes (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  3. Title 9 Zoning (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  4. Polk County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  5. 7-8D-4: Permit Required (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  6. 9-5-4: Specific Use Regulations (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  7. 9-5-4: Specific Use Regulations (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  8. codelibrary.amlegal.com (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  9. West Des Moines Development Services — Planning Division (wdm.iowa.gov)
  10. Title 9 Zoning (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  11. codelibrary.amlegal.com (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  12. Polk County Environmental Health Services (polkcountyiowa.gov)
  13. 10-3-2: Improvements (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  14. codelibrary.amlegal.com (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  15. 7-8D-4: Permit Required (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked
  16. Building Services - Polk County Iowa, quoted and re-checked
  17. 7-8D-4: Permit Required (West Des Moines), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for West Des Moines

West Des Moines’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction, alteration, repair, occupancy, and related work inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • The article incorporates the listed codes by reference, subject to city amendments, additions, and deletions.

    International Building Code: 2021 edition · International Residential Code: 2021 edition · International Property Maintenance Code: 2021 edition · International Existing Building Code: 2021 edition · National Electric Code: 2020 edition

    “2021 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC) and the 2021 Edition of the International Residential Code (IRC)”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • The city code identifies Title 9 as Zoning and includes zoning districts, zoning rules, and development procedures.
    “TITLE 9 ZONING Entitlements; Process And Procedures 1 Zoning Rules And Definitions 2 General Zoning Provisions 3 Zoning Districts And Map 4 Agricultural/Open Space And Residential Zoning District 5”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and district dimensional standards inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • The code identifies residential, agricultural/open-space, manufactured-housing, commercial, office, industrial, and planned-unit-development materials; parcel-specific zoning must be confirmed against the city zoning map and any PUD ordinance.
    “Zoning Districts And Map 4 Agricultural/Open Space And Residential Zoning District 5 Commercial, Office And Industrial Zoning District 6 Setback And Bulk Density Regulations 7”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Standard lots in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District.

    • The table is for standard lots, not footprint lots.
    • Corner-lot minimum lot width is increased by 25 feet.
    • Existing lots of record and other exceptions may be governed by separate zoning provisions.

    minimum lot area: 7500 square feet (Standard lots)

    “R-1 | [...] | Minimum lot area | [...] | 7,500 sq. ft.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in residentially zoned districts and applicable agricultural/open-space residential development.

    • Other zoning districts, overlays, PUDs, and airport-hazard provisions may impose additional or different limits.
    • Building and fire-code requirements remain applicable.

    maximum building height for single-family dwellings: <= 3 stories

    “Maximum building height for single family dwellings is three (3) stories.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle occupancy inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • Occupancy is allowed in an approved campground or recreational-vehicle park.
    • Otherwise, an RV may be used for sleeping only for no more than 30 non-consecutive days in a calendar year.
    • The RV must be used by non-paying guests of the occupant of a single-family dwelling and must comply with city parking and storage regulations.
    • Sleeping is prohibited when the RV is parked on a public or private street, off-street parking lot, or loading area.

    maximum sleeping occupancy outside approved campground or RV park: <= 30 non-consecutive days per calendar year (Only for non-paying guests of a single-family-dwelling occupant)

    “Recreational vehicles may be used for sleeping purposes only”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping or temporary residential occupancy by park homes, park models, and recreational vehicles inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • Park homes or park models are limited to long-term placement for no more than 180 non-consecutive days in a calendar year.
    • Recreational-vehicle sleeping occupancy is subject to the separate 30-day, guest-only rule and approved-campground exception.

    park home or park model occupancy: <= 180 non-consecutive days per calendar year (Recreational, camping, or seasonal use)

    “no more than one hundred eighty (180) (non-consecutive) days”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Second dwelling units on single-family properties inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • The lot must meet minimum bulk regulations for the respective single-family zoning district.
    • The second dwelling unit may not exceed 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the single-family residence, whichever is larger.
    • The unit may be attached or detached and must comply with applicable building and fire codes.
    • Each dwelling must have an individual entry and direct access to a street.
    • No additional parking is required, but the original dwelling may not become deficient under Title 9, Chapter 15.

    maximum size: 1,000 square feet or 50% of single-family residence, whichever is larger (Total above-grade gross floor area includes attached garage) · additional parking spaces: 0 spaces (Original dwelling may not become deficient under Title 9, Chapter 15)

    “Unit shall not exceed one thousand square feet”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • The city code directs applicants to the Polk or Dallas County Department of Health; the applicable county depends on the parcel's county location.
    • A copy of the county permit must be filed with the City's Building Inspection Department.
    “Polk or Dallas County Department of Health”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • The permit is obtained from the Polk or Dallas County Department of Health before construction begins.
    • A copy must be filed with the City's Building Inspection Department.
    “Before commencing the construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a permit from the Polk or Dallas County Department of Health. A copy of the permit shall be filed with the Building Inspection Department of the City.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal systems used where a lot is not served by sanitary sewer inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • A county health-department permit is required before construction.
    • A copy of the permit must be filed with the City's Building Inspection Department.
    • For subdivisions, soil percolation tests and county health approval must accompany the building-permit application.
    “Before commencing the construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a permit from the Polk or Dallas County Department of Health. A copy of the permit shall be filed with the Building Inspection Department of the City.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Lots in West Des Moines subdivisions where a public sanitary sewer is reasonably accessible.

    • Where a lot is not served by sanitary sewer, soil percolation tests and Polk County health-department approval for the private sanitary disposal system must be filed with the building-permit application.
    “provide each lot in the subdivision with connection to the sewer”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision improvements and subdivision lots inside West Des Moines city limits.

    • Subdivision requirements include sewer connections where public sewer is reasonably accessible.
    • Lots not served by sanitary sewer require soil percolation tests and Polk County health-department approval before building-permit issuance.
    “Where a public sanitary sewer is reasonably accessible, the subdivider shall provide each lot in the subdivision with connection to the sewer. Further, where the existing sewer may be reasonably extended through the subdivision so as to provide for continuous future development, such provisions shall be made.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask West Des Moines or Polk County directly.

  • Building permit — General building permit requirements inside West Des Moines city limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside West Des Moines city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside West Des Moines city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside West Des Moines city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside West Des Moines city limits.
9 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that West Des Moines publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Polk County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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