Can I Build Garage in Des Moines, IA? (2026)
Find out if you can build a garage in Des Moines, IA. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Building a detached garage in Des Moines, IA requires a building permit. Setback requirements and lot coverage limits apply.
Building a detached or attached garage in Des Moines, IA typically requires a building permit through the local building department. Garages are governed by the same structural permit requirements as room additions, plus setback requirements that vary by zone. Detached garages must comply with accessory structure setbacks in Des Moines, and total lot coverage (all covered structures combined) must not exceed zone limits.
Garage Rules in Des Moines
Garage Construction Rules in Des Moines: Permit required: Conditional depending on size. R1-60 zone setbacks (typical): Front varies ft, Side varies ft, Rear varies ft. Check your zone's lot coverage limits — adding a garage may push total coverage over the maximum.
Costs & Fees
Contact the local building department at (515) 283-4200 for current permit fee information.
Next Steps
Next steps for building a garage in Des Moines: 1. Verify your zone setback requirements and lot coverage limits. 2. Prepare site plan showing garage location relative to property lines. 3. Submit a building permit application to the local building department. 4. Once approved, begin construction with required inspections at foundation, framing, and final.
Des Moines Permit and Development Center
Phone: (515) 283-4200 · Verified July 6, 2026 · Source
Website: https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/permit_development_center/
Online Permits: https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/permit_development_center/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU (garage apartment or in-law suite) in Des Moines?
Yes. Des Moines's Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 134) allows ADUs in residential zones. Detached ADUs up to 900 sqft are permitted in rear yards. No owner-occupancy is required. One parking space is required per ADU. Des Moines has some of the lowest ADU permitting costs among major US cities — no impact fees and affordable plan review fees. Contact the Permit and Development Center at (515) 283-4200.
What is the Sherman Hill Historic District and how does it affect permits?
Sherman Hill is a Victorian-era residential neighborhood immediately west of the Iowa State Capitol — one of the best-preserved late 19th-century neighborhoods in Iowa. If your home is in the Sherman Hill Historic District, exterior changes (including additions, siding replacements, window changes, and ADU construction visible from the street) require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission before you can obtain a building permit. Interior changes do not require historic review. Contact the Des Moines Community Development Department at (515) 283-4182.
Does MidAmerican Energy offer incentives for residential solar in Des Moines?
MidAmerican Energy (a Berkshire Hathaway Energy company) provides net metering for residential solar systems. Iowa does not have a state solar mandate, but MidAmerican has committed to 100% renewable energy for its customers — making them generally cooperative with solar interconnection. A Des Moines building permit and MidAmerican interconnection agreement are required before installing grid-tied solar. Contact MidAmerican Energy's Renewable Energy department or a licensed Iowa solar contractor.
What are the flood risks for Des Moines properties?
Des Moines has significant flood history — the 1993 and 2008 floods were catastrophic, covering portions of downtown and west Des Moines. Properties along the Des Moines River and Raccoon River corridors may be in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) requiring flood insurance and elevated construction standards. Use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) to check your property's flood zone. Des Moines Water Works manages the water supply, and the city has invested in flood control infrastructure since 1993.
What permits do I need for a deck or fence in Des Moines?
Fences under 6 ft in side and rear yards do not require a permit. Fences in front yards or over 6 ft require a permit from the Des Moines Permit Center ($40-$150). All elevated decks (30+ inches from grade) require a building permit. Deck permits cost $75-$400 depending on size. Both can be applied for online at dsm.city. Inspections are required for deck construction.
Source: Des Moines Permit and Development Center — Building Regulations. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source