Des Moines, Iowa Building Department 2026: Permits, Inspections & Services

Des Moines Building Permits, Inspections & City Services in 2026

If you are planning a remodel, addition, deck, garage, new home, commercial project, plumbing job, HVAC replacement or electrical work in Des Moines, the office you will usually deal with is the City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center within Development Services.

The difficult part is not simply finding a phone number. You need to know whether the City actually has jurisdiction over your property, which permit category to choose, what documents to prepare, what the current 2026 fees are, and when inspections must happen. This guide puts those pieces together before you open the City’s application system.

First: Make Sure Des Moines Is Actually Your Permit Authority

A postal address that says “Des Moines” does not always prove that the property is inside incorporated Des Moines. This matters because a property outside City limits may be handled by Polk County, another municipality, or another authority.

Before spending time preparing an application, open the City’s Show Me My House tool and enter the project address. The tool provides City-specific property information and can also identify assigned inspection contacts.

1. Open Show Me My House.
2. Enter the exact street address.
3. Confirm the address is recognized as a City of Des Moines property.
4. Review the property and inspection information shown.
5. If the property is outside City jurisdiction, identify the correct city or county office before applying.

Jurisdiction differences can be large even within Iowa. For example, our Benton County building department guide explains how some unincorporated Iowa properties follow a very different permit structure.

What the Des Moines Permit and Development Center Handles

The Permit and Development Center administers building permits and construction inspections within City jurisdiction. Depending on the project, separate permits or reviews may be needed for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, signs, zoning, right-of-way work and related development activity.

Des Moines Municipal Code requires permits to be obtained before work that requires a permit begins. It also provides for separate permits for each building, individual address and trade discipline unless an exception applies.

2026 Des Moines Residential Building Permit Fees

Des Moines published a new Permit and Development Center fee schedule effective January 1, 2026. Residential building permits use flat fees for many common projects.

For new single-family, townhouse and two-family fee brackets, the City’s schedule states that basement and garage areas do not contribute to the finished-floor-area calculation.

Residential Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Fees

You can review the full official Des Moines 2026 Permit Fee Schedule before budgeting.

Commercial Building Permit Fees in Des Moines

Commercial building permits are generally valuation-based rather than using the residential flat-fee structure.

The published schedule also lists a 65% plan-checking fee for buildings valued above $1,000 and an energy-review charge of 2% of the building permit fee, with a $21.75 minimum, when applicable. The published Certificate of Occupancy fee is $51.50.

How to Apply for a Des Moines Building Permit Online

Most applicants should start in the City’s EnerGov Customer Self Service system. Preparing your information first makes the process much less frustrating.

1. Confirm the project address and jurisdiction.
   Use Show Me My House before creating the application.
2. Identify every permit involved.
   A building permit does not automatically replace electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, zoning or other approvals.
3. Prepare the drawings and property information.
   Have the site address, owner information, project description, construction value and required plans ready.
4. Open Customer Self Service.
   Go to css.dmgov.org.
5. Create an account or sign in.
   Use the account that should remain connected to the application throughout plan review, payment and inspections.
6. Select the correct application type.
   Choose the permit category that matches the work rather than picking a similar category simply to move forward.
7. Enter the project information carefully.
   Match the address and scope of work to your plans. Inconsistent descriptions can create unnecessary review questions.
8. Upload required documents.
   Include plans, site information and other documentation requested for that permit type.
9. Submit and monitor the application.
   Return to the portal for comments, outstanding requirements, fees and status changes.
10. Do not start permit-required work until the permit is actually issued.
    An application submission or payment alone should not be treated as authorization to begin construction.

What Documents Should You Have Ready?

The exact package depends on the project, but preparing the following information in advance covers many common applications.

• Property street address and owner information.
• Clear written description of the work.
• Estimated construction valuation where required.
• Site plan showing the existing and proposed structures.
• Property lines and relevant setbacks.
• Floor plans and dimensions for additions, new construction or major remodeling.
• Foundation, framing or structural information where applicable.
• Exterior elevations where required.
• Electrical, plumbing and mechanical scope.
• Energy-compliance information where applicable.
• Contractor or design-professional information when required.
• Any zoning, historic, floodplain, fire or other approval relevant to the site.

For a deck, expect to provide enough information to show where the deck sits on the property and how it will be constructed. For a new home or addition, the review is more detailed and may require fully dimensioned plans, site details, utility information and energy information.

How to Search a Des Moines Permit or Check Application Status

The same Customer Self Service platform is useful after an application is submitted and when you need to research available permit information.

1. Open the Des Moines Customer Self Service portal.
2. Sign in for applications connected to your account, or use available public search functions.
3. Search using the permit/application information or property details supported by the portal.
4. Open the correct record.
5. Review its status, outstanding items, fees, review activity and inspection information.

Do not assume that finding a permit record means the work passed final inspection. Look at the record’s current status and inspection history.

Des Moines Building Inspections: What Happens After Permit Issuance?

Permit issuance is only the beginning. The person doing permit-required work must notify the City when the work is ready for required inspection. Des Moines code also says that when an applicant is notified inspections need to be scheduled, those inspections must be scheduled within ten days of notification.

The exact inspection sequence depends on the project. Typical construction stages can include:

• Footing or foundation inspection before concrete or concealment.
• Under-slab or underground work where applicable.
• Rough electrical, plumbing or mechanical inspections.
• Framing inspection while important connections remain visible.
• Insulation or energy-related inspection where required.
• Final building and trade inspections after the work is complete.

Micro Steps to Request an Inspection

1. Confirm the permit has been issued and is active.
2. Open the permit record in Customer Self Service.
3. Review which inspections are available or required.
4. Make sure the relevant work is complete but not prematurely covered.
5. Request the inspection through the permit record when that option is available.
6. Keep your permit number, project address and site contact information ready.
7. Use Show Me My House if you need your assigned inspector information.
8. After inspection, check the result before covering work or moving to the next required stage.

Which Building Codes Apply in Des Moines in 2026?

Des Moines adopted the 2024 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code and International Existing Building Code in December 2025 for the 2026 code cycle, with local additions, deletions and amendments.

You can review the City’s current building provisions in Des Moines Municipal Code Chapter 26.

Older handouts can still mention earlier code editions. When an older PDF conflicts with a later adopted ordinance or current code, use the currently effective City requirements and confirm project-specific questions with the Permit and Development Center.

Important Roofing Rule: 2026 vs. 2027

Roofing is a good example of why the effective date matters.

Existing City guidance has treated ordinary reroofing that does not involve structural roof work differently from projects involving sheathing, decking or framing. However, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 16,568 in July 2026 adding a clear future requirement:

Therefore, a homeowner searching in late 2026 should not blindly use a 2026 roofing answer for work planned in 2027. Confirm the permit requirement based on the actual project start/application date.

Official ordinance: Des Moines Ordinance No. 16,568.

Can a Homeowner Pull Electrical, Mechanical or Plumbing Permits?

Des Moines code provides a limited owner-occupant path for a detached single-family dwelling that is the owner’s primary, homesteaded residence. The building official may require the owner to demonstrate competence to perform the specific electrical, mechanical or plumbing work.

This is not the same as saying every property owner can perform every trade. Contractor licensing, State rules and federal certification requirements can still control the work. For example, refrigerant recovery or charging requires the appropriate certification.

If you intend to perform trade work yourself, contact the Permit and Development Center at 515-283-4200 before purchasing equipment or opening walls.

Planning, Zoning, Historic and Floodplain Issues

A building permit does not automatically settle every land-use question. Some projects need another review before or alongside the building permit.

• Zoning: Building placement, setbacks, use, fences, accessory structures and signs can involve zoning rules.
• Historic properties: Exterior work in a locally regulated historic district may require historic-preservation review.
• Floodplain: Projects in regulated flood areas can trigger additional requirements.
• Public right-of-way: Construction affecting City right-of-way may require a separate obstruction or engineering approval.
• Fire systems: Commercial fire alarm, sprinkler and other life-safety systems may involve Fire Prevention review.

The City’s Development Services code portal also lists planning and zoning contacts at Des Moines Development Services Code Portal.

Common Permit Problems — and the Fastest Practical Fix

Official Des Moines Permit Resources

Des Moines Building Department FAQs

Before You Submit

The easiest permit application is usually the one prepared before the portal is opened. Confirm jurisdiction, identify every trade involved, gather the plans, check the current fee schedule and understand when inspections will be needed. That small amount of preparation can prevent a project from stopping halfway through.

For other jurisdictions and permit topics, browse our U.S. Building Guide. You can also read the USBuilding.org editorial and source-review policy to see how local permit information is checked.

USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not operated by the City of Des Moines. Read more about USBuilding.org. Permit requirements, fees, forms and code interpretations can change. The City of Des Moines and other responsible agencies make final project-specific determinations.