Site Plan for Permit in Des Moines, IA

Example of a residential site plan showing property boundaries, the existing house, driveway, accessory improvements, setback dimensions, and the surrounding lot layout.

Planning a deck, detached garage, shed, home addition, accessory dwelling unit, swimming pool, fence, driveway, patio cover, or other residential project in Des Moines? A clear site plan may be one of the most important documents in your permit application.

A site plan for permit in Des Moines, IA is a scaled overhead drawing of the property. It shows the legal lot boundaries, existing buildings, proposed construction, setback measurements, streets, alleys, driveways, sidewalks, easements, utilities, and other site features that may affect approval.

The City of Des Moines Permit and Development Center handles construction permits, plan review, inspections, zoning coordination, and related development services.^[1]

A well-prepared site plan helps reviewers quickly understand:

• What currently exists on the property
• What the homeowner proposes to build or change
• Where the proposed project will be located
• How far the work will be from each property line
• Whether easements, streets, utilities, drainage, or zoning rules affect the project

This guide explains what should appear on a Des Moines permit site plan, how setbacks and easements affect project placement, when additional stormwater or floodplain review may apply, and what information homeowners should collect before submitting their plans.

What is a Des Moines permit site plan?

A residential site plan, sometimes called a plot plan, shows the property as viewed from above.

Its primary purpose is to explain where the proposed project will be located in relation to:

• The legal property boundaries
• The existing house
• Garages, sheds, decks, patios, and other improvements
• Required front, rear, and side yards
• Streets and alleys
• Driveways and sidewalks
• Recorded easements
• Utilities
• Drainage routes
• Floodplain or other regulated areas

The site plan answers the question, “Where will the project be built?”

Other permit drawings answer, “How will the project be built?”

• Floor plan: Shows rooms, walls, doors, windows, stairs, fixtures, and interior dimensions.
• Foundation plan: Shows footings, slabs, piers, foundation walls, reinforcement, and structural dimensions.
• Framing plan: Shows posts, beams, joists, headers, rafters, trusses, and structural spans.
• Exterior elevations: Show the roof, doors, windows, exterior materials, overall height, and surrounding grade.
• Building sections: Show how the foundation, floors, walls, and roof connect.
• Grading or drainage plan: Shows elevations, contours, runoff routes, swales, erosion controls, stormwater facilities, cut, and fill where required.

A site plan does not replace architectural, structural, engineering, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, erosion-control, or drainage documents when those plans are required.

For a broader introduction, read our

site plan for permit guide
.

When may a Des Moines project need a site plan?

The documents required by Des Moines depend on the type, size, and location of the proposed work.

A site plan is commonly needed when a residential project changes the footprint, placement, access, or exterior arrangement of a property.

Projects may include:

• New houses
• Home additions
• Detached garages
• Carports
• Sheds and workshops
• Decks and porches
• Patio covers and pergolas
• Accessory dwelling units
• Swimming pools and spas
• Fences and walls
• Retaining walls
• Driveways and parking pads
• Sidewalk or curb work
• Building relocation
• Demolition that changes the lot layout
• Grading, excavation, or placement of fill

The City maintains separate residential permit resources for common home-improvement projects and directs applicants to the Permit and Development Center for project-specific requirements.^[2]

Some small projects may qualify for a building-permit exemption. However, an exemption from the building permit does not automatically remove zoning, setback, easement, historic-preservation, floodplain, utility, or drainage requirements.

Residential plot plan versus formal Site Plan Review

Des Moines uses the term site plan in two related but different ways.

Residential permit site plan

This is the property drawing discussed throughout this article. It may accompany a permit application for a house, addition, deck, garage, shed, pool, ADU, or other residential project.

It shows the complete lot, structures, setbacks, access, easements, and proposed work.

Formal Site Plan Review

Des Moines also has a formal Site Plan Review process for qualifying development projects. The City describes this process as reviewing a site’s existing and proposed conditions and coordinating compliance with zoning, access, utilities, landscaping, stormwater, and other development standards.^[7]

Formal Site Plan Review is generally associated with commercial, industrial, multifamily, institutional, and other larger development rather than a normal small residential improvement.

A homeowner’s permit site plan should not automatically be treated as a formal engineered development site plan. The Permit and Development Center can confirm which review process applies.

What should a Des Moines permit site plan show?

A useful permit drawing should show the entire property—not only the corner where the construction will occur.

1. Property address and parcel information

Identify the complete project address.

Where available, also include:

• Legal property description
• Subdivision or plat name
• Lot number
• Block number
• Parcel identification number
• Recorded plat reference

The street address identifies the property for everyday use. The legal description connects the drawing to the officially recorded parcel.

2. Complete property boundaries

Show every legal property boundary, including:

• Front property line
• Rear property line
• Left-side property line
• Right-side property line
• Curved or angled property lines
• Street-facing side boundaries
• Alley boundaries
• Any irregular parcel segments

Do not automatically treat an existing fence, hedge, driveway edge, sidewalk, curb, retaining wall, utility pole, or row of trees as the legal property boundary.

These visible features may be located inside or outside the recorded lot line.

A drafting site plan may use existing surveys, plats, assessor information, customer measurements, and photographs. It does not independently establish an unknown or disputed legal boundary. An Iowa-licensed land surveyor may be needed when the boundary position cannot be reliably identified.

3. Lot dimensions

Show the available length of each property boundary.

Lot dimensions help reviewers evaluate:

• Required front, rear, and side yards
• Available building area
• Corner-lot conditions
• Accessory-building placement
• Lot and site coverage
• Driveway access
• Recorded easements
• Distances between structures

An irregular or curved lot may require several individual dimensions to describe the complete parcel.

4. Existing house footprint

Draw and label the complete exterior footprint of the existing house.

Include attached features that affect the site layout, such as:

• Attached garage
• Covered porch
• Existing addition
• Bay window
• Exterior stairs
• Deck or landing
• Roofed patio
• Other projections

A rough rectangle may not be sufficient when the house has several wings, porches, additions, or projections near the proposed work.

5. Existing accessory structures and improvements

Show other significant structures and improvements already located on the property.

These may include:

• Detached garage
• Shed or workshop
• Carport
• Deck and stairs
• Porch
• Pergola or gazebo
• Swimming pool or spa
• Patio
• Retaining wall
• Existing fence
• Storm shelter
• Mechanical or pool-equipment pad

Leaving an existing structure off the drawing can make the proposed project appear to fit when the real lot layout does not support it.

6. Proposed construction

Clearly distinguish proposed work from existing construction.

Show:

• Complete proposed footprint
• Exterior length and width
• Irregular sections
• Roof overhangs and projections
• Steps and landings
• Deck or patio extensions
• Garage-door orientation
• Pool or mechanical-equipment pads
• Proposed driveway or paving
• Structures that will be removed

Use clear labels such as:

• Existing House
• Proposed Addition
• New Detached Garage
• Proposed Deck
• Existing Shed to Remain
• Structure to Be Removed

7. Setback measurements

Show the actual distance from the proposed project to every relevant property line.

Depending on the project location, include:

• Front setback
• Rear setback
• Left-side setback
• Right-side setback
• Street-side setback on a corner lot
• Distance to an alley
• Distance to a recorded building line

Measurements should be taken to the closest applicable part of the improvement. A roof eave, gutter, stair, landing, equipment pad, or other projection may be closer to the boundary than the primary wall.

Read our

setbacks and zoning guide

for a broader explanation.

8. Distance between structures

Show the distance between the proposed project and nearby buildings.

This may include the distance to:

• The existing house
• A detached garage
• A shed
• A carport
• A deck
• A pergola or gazebo
• A pool house
• Another accessory structure

Building separation can affect fire protection, roof projections, wall openings, drainage, maintenance access, and whether a project is treated as attached or detached.

9. Streets, alleys, and public rights-of-way

Label every adjoining street, alley, and public right-of-way.

The site plan may need to distinguish between:

• Legal property line
• Public right-of-way line
• Street centerline
• Curb
• Street pavement
• Public sidewalk
• Grass or utility strip
• Driveway approach

The property line is not always located at the curb or sidewalk. This distinction is especially important for front additions, driveways, carports, fences, retaining walls, and corner-lot projects.

10. Driveways, sidewalks, and parking areas

Show all existing and proposed vehicle areas related to the project.

Include:

• Existing driveway
• Proposed driveway or widening
• Driveway width
• Parking-pad dimensions
• Garage apron
• Curb cut
• Sidewalk crossing
• Street or alley connection
• Garage-door orientation
• Existing and proposed walkways

A garage or carport should not be shown without a practical vehicle-access route.

Construction affecting a curb, sidewalk, driveway approach, street, or other public right-of-way may require separate Engineering review and permitting.^[12]

11. Easements

Show all known and recorded easements affecting the property.

Common residential easements include:

• Utility easement
• Sanitary-sewer easement
• Storm-sewer easement
• Drainage easement
• Waterline easement
• Access easement
• Shared-driveway easement
• Pipeline easement

An easement may look like open yard space even though another party retains the legal right to install, inspect, maintain, repair, or replace infrastructure there.

A garage, shed, addition, pool, deck footing, retaining wall, or other permanent improvement should not be placed inside an easement without confirming that construction is allowed.

12. Utilities and mechanical equipment

Show visible or known utility features near the proposed construction.

Examples include:

• Water meter
• Sewer cleanout
• Gas meter
• Electrical meter
• Utility pole
• Transformer
• Overhead electrical lines
• Fire hydrant
• Storm drain or catch basin
• Air-conditioning equipment
• Pool pump, filter, or heater

Utilities can affect foundation excavation, post placement, driveway location, equipment clearances, and construction access.

13. Fences, gates, and retaining walls

Show existing and proposed fences, gates, masonry walls, and retaining walls near the project.

These features may affect:

• Construction access
• Boundary verification
• Driveway visibility
• Pool-barrier compliance
• Maintenance space
• Drainage
• Grade changes
• Historic review

The City’s current residential fence guidance states that a permit is needed for a chain-link fence taller than four feet and for another type of fence taller than three feet. Location, height, visibility, and historic-district requirements can also apply.^[5]

14. Drainage and grading features

Show known drainage and grading information where it affects the project.

This may include:

• General direction of surface runoff
• Drainage swales
• Ditches
• Storm drains and catch basins
• Drainage easements
• Retaining walls
• Low areas
• Roof downspout discharge
• Existing and proposed grade changes
• Floodplain or floodway boundaries
• Areas of excavation or fill
• Limits of land disturbance

A new building, driveway, patio, or other hard surface should not block an established drainage path or direct concentrated runoff toward neighbouring property.

15. North arrow, scale, and drawing information

A clear site plan should include:

• North arrow
• Graphic or written scale
• Property address
• Drawing date
• Existing and proposed labels
• Readable dimensions
• A legend where several line types are used
• Relevant project notes

The drawing should remain legible after it is converted to PDF, uploaded through the permit portal, viewed on a screen, or printed by a reviewer.

Current Des Moines construction codes

Des Moines adopted updated construction codes effective January 1, 2026.

The City’s current code page identifies the:

• 2024 International Building Code
• 2024 International Residential Code
• 2024 International Existing Building Code
• 2024 International Fire Code

Local amendments also apply.^[3]

This matters because older construction guides, sample plans, contractor notes, and online articles may refer to a previous code edition.

The site plan establishes the location of the project, but the project must also comply with current requirements for:

• Foundations and frost protection
• Structural loading
• Fire separation
• Exterior wall openings
• Guards and handrails
• Deck connections
• Energy efficiency
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Mechanical systems
• Pool and spa safety

The applicable code and local amendments should be confirmed before preparing structural drawings or beginning construction.

Des Moines zoning and property setbacks

There is no single setback that applies to every residential property or project in Des Moines.

The required placement can depend on:

• Zoning district
• Lot width and depth
• Corner-lot configuration
• Street and alley frontage
• Project type
• Attached or detached construction
• Building height
• Accessory-structure size
• Lot and site coverage
• Recorded plat or building line
• Conditional zoning
• Historic-district status
• Floodplain conditions
• A design-alternative approval

Before choosing the final project location, confirm:

• The property’s zoning district
• Required front, rear, and side yards
• Street-side requirements on a corner lot
• Accessory-building standards
• Maximum building height
• Maximum lot and site coverage
• Driveway and parking requirements
• Any conditional zoning or special approval
• Recorded easements and plat restrictions

The City’s mapping tools can help identify zoning, parcels, historic districts, inspection areas, and other property information.^[9]

Can City GIS lines replace a survey?

No.

Online parcel and zoning maps are useful for early research, but displayed parcel lines may be approximate.

GIS information can help identify:

• Parcel location
• Zoning district
• City boundary
• Local historic district
• Nearby streets
• General building locations
• Other mapped City information

GIS should not be relied upon to place a structure very close to a property boundary.

A boundary survey prepared by an Iowa-licensed land surveyor may be needed when:

• Property corners cannot be located
• The project is close to a boundary
• A neighbour disputes the property line
• Recorded dimensions conflict with existing improvements
• An easement location is uncertain
• The parcel is irregular
• The City requests surveyed information

Read our guide explaining

what a plot plan includes
.

Detached garages and sheds

Des Moines maintains project-specific guidance for detached garages and sheds, including information about height, roof form, setbacks, and building-code requirements.^[4]

A garage or shed site plan should show:

• Exterior length and width
• Roof outline and overhangs
• Overall height where required
• Setbacks to each property line
• Distance to the house
• Distance to other accessory structures
• Garage-door or shed-door orientation
• Driveway or alley access
• Easements
• Utilities
• Drainage direction

Small one-story storage buildings may qualify for a building-permit exemption under applicable code provisions. However, the exemption, size threshold, separation requirements, and zoning placement should be confirmed under the current 2024 Residential Code and Des Moines local amendments.

A permit-exempt shed is not automatically exempt from:

• Zoning setbacks
• Lot-coverage limits
• Easement restrictions
• Historic-district review
• Floodplain requirements
• Utility clearances
• Drainage rules

Home additions

A home-addition site plan should show the complete existing house and clearly identify the proposed extension.

Include:

• Existing house footprint
• Proposed addition dimensions
• Combined building footprint
• Setbacks to every relevant property line
• Existing garage, shed, deck, patio, and other improvements
• Driveway and construction access
• Utilities and mechanical equipment
• Easements
• Existing and proposed drainage direction

The complete permit package may also require:

• Foundation plan
• Existing and proposed floor plans
• Framing information
• Roof plan
• Exterior elevations
• Building sections
• Energy-code information
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits

Decks and porches

A deck or porch site plan should show the complete platform, stairs, landings, and relationship to the existing house.

Include:

• Deck or porch length and width
• Height above grade
• Location against the house
• Complete stair direction
• Bottom landing
• Setbacks to property lines
• Distance to nearby garages, sheds, and fences
• Existing patios and walkways
• Roof outline where the porch or deck is covered

The stairs may extend considerably closer to a property line than the deck platform. They should not be omitted from the site plan.

Separate construction plans may need to show:

• Footing sizes and locations
• Post and beam sizes
• Joist size, spacing, and span
• Ledger connection
• Flashing
• Stair construction
• Guards and handrails

Accessory dwelling units

Des Moines allows no more than one accessory dwelling unit on a single lot. The City explains that the ADU may be located within the primary house or in a detached accessory building, subject to applicable zoning and construction requirements.^[6]

An ADU site plan may need to show:

• Existing principal dwelling
• Proposed attached or detached ADU
• Floor-area information
• Property-line setbacks
• Distance between structures
• Parking spaces
• Driveway or alley access
• Pedestrian access
• Utilities and service connections
• Easements
• Lot and site coverage
• Existing and proposed hard surfaces

For a more focused project guide, see our

Des Moines ADU permit site plan article
.

Fences and gates

Fence permit requirements in Des Moines depend on the material, height, location, and property conditions.

The City’s current residential guidance states that permits are required for:

• A chain-link fence taller than four feet
• Another type of fence taller than three feet

Historic-district approval and zoning requirements may also apply.^[5]

A fence site plan should show:

• Complete proposed fence route
• Existing and proposed sections
• Fence height
• Fence material
• Gate locations
• Legal property lines
• Street and alley
• Driveway and sidewalk
• Easements and utilities
• Corner-lot visibility conditions

A fence should not automatically be used as evidence of the legal property boundary.

Swimming pools and spas

A pool or spa project may require a site plan together with construction, barrier, electrical, plumbing, and equipment information.

The site plan should generally show:

• Pool or spa footprint
• Distance to each property line
• Existing house and accessory structures
• Pool deck or patio
• Safety barrier
• Gate locations
• Pool pump, filter, and heater
• Electrical-service information
• Overhead electrical lines
• Easements and utilities
• Drainage conditions

The current setback, barrier, equipment, bonding, and safety requirements should be confirmed under the 2024 Residential Code, applicable pool-and-spa provisions, and Des Moines local amendments.

Driveways, sidewalks, and curb work

A driveway site plan should distinguish private paving from work located within the public right-of-way.

Show:

• Existing and proposed driveway
• Driveway width
• Parking-pad dimensions
• Property lines
• Curb cut
• Driveway approach
• Public sidewalk
• Street pavement
• Garage or carport connection
• Nearby utilities
• Storm drains and catch basins
• Drainage direction

Des Moines Engineering manages plan review, permitting, and inspection for construction activities within streets and public rights-of-way.^[12]

Separate approval may be needed where a project:

• Creates or modifies a curb cut
• Changes a driveway approach
• Replaces a public sidewalk
• Occupies part of a street or alley during construction
• Changes public drainage
• Conflicts with a utility or street tree

Retaining walls and grade changes

A retaining-wall site plan should show:

• Wall location
• Wall length
• Wall height
• Distance to property lines
• Existing and proposed grade
• Drainage behind and around the wall
• Nearby buildings
• Driveways, streets, and sidewalks
• Easements and utilities

Engineering may be required depending on:

• Wall height
• Soil conditions
• Slope
• Surcharge loading
• Nearby buildings
• Vehicle loading
• Drainage conditions

A retaining wall should not redirect water toward a neighbour, block a drainage path, or interfere with a recorded easement.

Stormwater, grading, and land disturbance

Des Moines updated its stormwater management standards for grading permits, site plans, and plat approvals. The City adopted the Iowa Stormwater Management Manual as part of its standards for development and redevelopment.^[11]

Stormwater or grading review may become important when a project:

• Changes how water flows across the property
• Adds a large roof or paved surface
• Includes substantial excavation or fill
• Disturbs soil near a stream or drainageway
• Changes a swale or ditch
• Directs runoff toward adjacent property
• Includes retaining walls
• Changes storm drains or public drainage facilities

Depending on the scope, the plans may need to show:

• Existing and proposed contours
• Spot elevations
• Drainage arrows
• Swales and ditches
• Storm-drain locations
• Limits of disturbance
• Silt fence
• Stabilized construction entrance
• Cut-and-fill areas
• Stormwater-management practices

A basic drafting site plan should not be presented as a civil engineering, stormwater, or grading plan when professional design and calculations are required.

Floodplain properties

Des Moines requires review and permitting for applicable development in designated floodplain areas and near rivers or streams. Floodplain regulation is administered under Chapter 50 of the Municipal Code.^[10]

Floodplain review may affect:

• Building location
• Foundation design
• Finished-floor elevation
• Placement of fill
• Grading and excavation
• Driveways and paving
• Mechanical and electrical equipment
• Retaining walls
• Flood openings
• Elevation certificates
• Compensatory storage or other mitigation

A floodplain project may require information prepared or certified by an Iowa-licensed surveyor or professional engineer.

Floodplain conditions should be investigated before the project location, foundation type, or finished-floor elevation is finalized.

Historic districts and local landmarks

Exterior work on a locally designated historic property or within an applicable historic district may require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission.^[13]

Historic review may apply to:

• New houses
• Home additions
• Garages and sheds
• Porches and decks
• Fences and gates
• Windows and doors
• Exterior materials
• Retaining walls and hardscaping
• Demolition

Historic-review documents may include:

• Existing-condition photographs
• Site plan
• Exterior elevations
• Material information
• Architectural details
• Neighbourhood or street context

Work that may be exempt from a normal building permit can still require historic approval.

Can an aerial image be used as the site plan?

An aerial or GIS image can be useful as a starting reference, but it may not contain enough information for permit approval.

Aerial imagery may not accurately show:

• Legal property boundaries
• Recorded easements
• Exact structure dimensions
• Roof overhangs
• Setback measurements
• Recent construction
• Underground utilities
• Grades and drainage direction

A permit-ready drawing should include reliable property information, clear dimensions, labels, a north arrow, and a consistent scale.

How to submit a Des Moines permit application

Des Moines provides a Customer Self Service portal where users can apply for permits and licenses, request inspections, view documents, and pay fees online.^[8]

A typical residential permit process includes:

1. Confirm the complete scope of the project.
2. Review the City’s residential project guidance.
3. Identify the property’s zoning district.
4. Confirm setbacks, building height, and lot-coverage rules.
5. Review recorded plats and easements.
6. Check floodplain and historic-district status.
7. Determine whether grading, stormwater, or right-of-way approval is required.
8. Collect the survey, property records, photographs, measurements, and project details.
9. Prepare the site plan and required construction drawings.
10. Create or use a Customer Self Service account.
11. Submit the application and upload the plan documents.
12. Pay the required application or review fees.
13. Respond to reviewer comments and submit revised sheets where needed.
14. Obtain the approved permit before construction begins.
15. Schedule and pass the required inspections.

Do not begin excavation or construction simply because an application has been submitted. Work should start only after the required permit has been issued.

Common Des Moines site-plan mistakes

Permit review may be delayed when the drawing is incomplete, difficult to read, or based on unreliable assumptions.

• Showing only the proposed project instead of the complete property
• Leaving one or more property lines off the drawing
• Failing to provide lot dimensions
• Measuring from a fence rather than the legal boundary
• Providing only one setback measurement
• Leaving the street, alley, or right-of-way off the plan
• Failing to show recorded easements
• Omitting the existing house or garage
• Leaving sheds, decks, pools, patios, or fences off the drawing
• Failing to distinguish existing and proposed construction
• Ignoring roof overhangs, stairs, landings, or equipment pads
• Failing to show distances between structures
• Showing a garage or carport without driveway access
• Placing construction inside a utility or drainage easement
• Blocking a swale, ditch, or drainage route
• Directing runoff toward neighbouring property
• Using setbacks copied from another Des Moines property
• Failing to check conditional zoning or historic status
• Ignoring floodplain conditions
• Failing to identify significant grading or land disturbance
• Submitting an undimensioned satellite image
• Leaving off the north arrow or scale
• Using labels that become unreadable in the final PDF

Use our

site plan checklist for permit approval

to organize the information before drafting begins.

What to provide when ordering a Des Moines site plan

Providing complete information at the beginning can reduce revisions and permit delays.

Useful documents and details include:

• Complete property address
• Legal description or parcel information
• Existing survey or recorded plat
• Proposed project type
• Project length and width
• Preferred project location
• Measurements to every property line
• Existing house dimensions
• Dimensions of garages, sheds, decks, patios, pools, and other improvements
• Driveway and sidewalk information
• Street or alley location
• Known rights-of-way
• Known easements
• Utility locations
• Known drainage features
• Contours or elevations where available
• Areas of excavation or fill
• Floodplain information
• Historic-district information
• Photographs of the property
• Manufacturer or contractor drawings
• Any comments already received from City reviewers

Homeowners elsewhere in the state can also review our

Iowa site plan services page
.

Frequently asked questions

Does Des Moines require a site plan for a permit?

A site plan is commonly needed when a project changes the location, footprint, access, exterior arrangement, grading, or drainage of a residential property. The exact documents depend on the project and the reviews required by the Permit and Development Center.

What should a Des Moines site plan show?

A clear plan should show the complete property, lot dimensions, legal property lines, existing and proposed structures, setback measurements, streets, alleys, driveways, sidewalks, easements, utilities, drainage features, north arrow, and drawing scale.

Are setbacks the same for every property?

No. Setbacks can depend on the zoning district, lot dimensions, corner-lot configuration, project type, building height, recorded plat, easements, conditional zoning, and other property-specific conditions.

Can I use my fence as the property line?

No. A fence should not automatically be treated as the legal property boundary. A licensed land surveyor may be needed when the boundary position is uncertain.

Does a small shed require a permit?

Some small one-story accessory buildings may qualify for a building-permit exemption. Zoning, setbacks, lot coverage, easements, historic review, floodplain rules, and utility clearances can still apply. Confirm the current exemption under the 2024 Residential Code and Des Moines amendments.

Does a detached garage require a site plan?

A garage application should include a plan showing its footprint, setbacks, distance to the house, driveway or alley access, roof projections, easements, utilities, drainage, and other existing structures.

Does a fence require a permit?

The City’s current residential guide identifies a permit for a chain-link fence taller than four feet and for another type of fence taller than three feet. Additional zoning or historic requirements may apply.

How many accessory dwelling units are allowed?

Des Moines allows no more than one ADU on a single lot. It may be within the primary house or in a detached accessory building, subject to applicable requirements.

Does driveway work require separate approval?

Work affecting a curb, sidewalk, driveway approach, street, alley, or public right-of-way may require separate Engineering review and permitting.

Does a project in a floodplain require additional information?

Yes. Floodplain projects may require elevations, foundation details, grading information, an elevation certificate, and professional surveying or engineering.

Does a site plan replace a property survey?

No. A permit site plan illustrates the project using available property information. A licensed land surveyor establishes or verifies legal property boundaries and certified elevations.

Does a site plan replace structural drawings?

No. The site plan shows where the project will be located. Separate plans may be required to explain the foundation, framing, roof, walls, stairs, electrical work, plumbing, drainage, and other construction details.

Can the permit application be submitted online?

Yes. Des Moines uses its Customer Self Service portal for permit applications, plan documents, payments, inspection requests, and related records.

Order a site plan for permit in Des Moines

A well-prepared site plan helps Des Moines reviewers understand the complete property, existing structures, proposed project, setbacks, driveways, easements, utilities, and drainage conditions.

USA Site Plans prepares residential permit drawings using available property records, customer-provided measurements, photographs, surveys, and proposed-project information. Reasonable edits are included when a permit reviewer requests drawing changes within the original project scope.

Permit, zoning, setback, easement, drainage, stormwater, floodplain, historic-preservation, right-of-way, utility, and construction requirements can change and may vary by property and project. Confirm current requirements with the City of Des Moines before construction. USA Site Plans does not replace an Iowa-licensed land surveyor, architect, engineer, contractor, floodplain professional, or municipal authority where those services are required.