Regulations >
Iowa >
Des Moines

Want to see how Des Moines compares to other top cities in Iowa?  Explore all city regulations in Iowa. →

B

Des Moines, IA

Generally Investor Friendly

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Des Moines STR Expert
Des Moines, Iowa skyline

STR Regulations for Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines, IA Short‑Term Rental (STR) Regulations and Investor Guide

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Des Moines, IA?

  • Explicit answer: Yes—short‑term rentals are allowed in Des Moines under Iowa law (see House File 2641 below).
  • Des Moines operates a permitting and inspection program specifically for STRs and has implemented explicit insurance and maintenance standards that apply to all STR properties.
  • State law prohibits outright bans on STRs and restricts cities from imposing certain targeted licensing requirements; however, it allows cities to require general rental property permits, insurance, safety inspections, and basic operational rules.

How to Start an STR Business in Des Moines

  1. Validate zoning and use
  • Confirm with the City of Des Moines Planning and Urbanism Department that STRs are a permitted use at your address. If not, consider nearby mixed-use or downtown zones where STRs are commonly accepted.
  1. Confirm property type and occupancy
  • Use the city inspection checklist to determine required safety measures and maximum occupancy. Properties with multiple sleeping rooms should plan for clear emergency egress and signage.
  1. Secure insurance first
  • Obtain at least $500,000 in liability coverage specifically covering short‑term rental use. Note: Some investor guides reference higher limits (e.g., $1 million) for premium positioning and lender expectations.
  1. Apply for the STR permit
  • Submit the Short‑Term Rental Permit application with the City of Des Moines. Provide property details, floor plans, proof of ownership, local 24/7 contact, and proof of required insurance. Include a copy of the Property Maintenance Checklist.
  1. Pass inspection and maintain compliance
  • Schedule and pass the city’s STR inspection. Keep the property in continuous compliance with safety and maintenance standards (e.g., smoke and CO detectors, egress, handrails, weed control, no inoperative vehicles, structural soundness).
  1. Register for taxes
  • Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue to collect and remit the 5% state hotel/motel tax on rentals of 90 days or less. Many Iowa localities, including Des Moines, add a local option hotel/motel tax; verify the exact local rate and collection/remittance process.
  1. Set up operations and documentation
  • Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cleaning, maintenance, and guest communications; designate a local contact available 24/7; maintain guest logs and records for inspection; ensure platforms reflect occupancy limits and property rules.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Short‑Term Rental Permit (City of Des Moines)

    • Application includes owner/operator information, property details, floor plans, and designated local contact.
    • Proof of insurance: minimum $500,000 liability coverage for STR use.
    • Inspection required using the City’s Property Maintenance Inspection Checklist.

  • Insurance

    • Minimum $500,000 liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage arising from STR use.
    • Many investors opt for $1 million for enhanced protection and lender requirements.

  • Safety and maintenance standards (typical inspection items)

    • Smoke detectors in all bedrooms and common areas; CO detectors near sleeping areas; functioning fire extinguishers.
    • Safe egress and clearly marked emergency exits; secure handrails and guards.
    • Exterior maintenance: weed control (no growth over 12 inches), fence lines kept tidy, no noxious weeds.
    • Prohibit inoperative or unlicensed vehicles on the property.
    • Keep structures free of rodent harborage; all accessory structures (garages, sheds, fences) must be structurally sound and used only by tenants.

  • Taxes and registration

    • Iowa Department of Revenue registration for hotel/motel tax on rentals of 90 days or less (state rate 5%).
    • Local option hotel/motel tax may apply; verify Des Moines’ current rate and remittance process.

  • Records

    • Maintain guest logs, incident reports, cleaning and maintenance records, tax filings/receipts, and communications with city inspectors.

Specific Regulations (City, County, and State)

  • State of Iowa (House File 2641)

    • Municipalities cannot prohibit STRs outright or require licenses/permits that specifically target STRs.
    • Cities may require general rental property permits, safety inspections, and reasonable operational standards.
    • Iowa’s hotel/motel tax applies to rentals of 90 days or less at 5% statewide.

  • Des Moines (City)

    • STR permit and annual inspection are mandatory.
    • Liability insurance minimum: $500,000; recommended $1,000,000 for premium positioning.
    • Property maintenance standards and exterior conditions must be maintained at all times.
    • STRs are subject to hotel/motel tax (state 5%) plus any local option hotel/motel tax; verify the current local rate and remittance method.

  • Polk County

    • No county-specific STR ordinance identified; operations are governed by state law and municipal requirements.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website)

Important Notes for STR Investors

  • Verification required

    • Local option hotel/motel tax rates in Des Moines change over time; confirm the exact rate and remittance process with the City or the Iowa Department of Revenue.

  • Market context

    • Downtown and mixed‑use areas typically offer the most favorable zoning and demand for STRs; residential zones may restrict non‑owner‑occupied STRs or impose additional standards.

  • Enforcement

    • Des Moines enforces STR rules through permit inspections, complaint response, and monitoring of hosting platforms. Operating without a permit or failing inspections can result in fines and potential operating bans.

Source Pages (Links)

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Des Moines?

Des Moines hosts earn a median $24,692/year with $144 ADR and 61% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $35,626+ per year.

See the full Des Moines market breakdown

Next step

Found a property in Des Moines?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Des Moines

Free brief

Get the free Des Moines STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Des Moines, Iowa in one email.

Des Moines

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Des Moines Market Analysis

Photos of Des Moines

Overview of Des Moines

Des Moines is the capital and largest city of Iowa, situated in Polk County in the south-central part of the state. With a city population of roughly 215,000 and a metro area approaching 700,000, it functions as the political, financial, and cultural heart of Iowa. The city has a steady, businesslike Midwestern character, anchored by a thriving insurance and financial-services industry, while also embracing a growing food, arts, and craft brewery scene along the Des Moines River. It serves as a natural gateway to central Iowa's farmland, state parks, and outdoor recreation areas, and sits roughly 130 miles east of Omaha, Nebraska, the nearest major city.

The Iowa State Capitol is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city, located just a few minutes from downtown. Its gleaming gold-leafed dome rises above a beautifully landscaped Capitol complex, and visitors can tour the legislative chambers, view historic legislative murals, and walk the surrounding grounds. It remains a popular stop for visitors interested in government architecture and Iowa history.

A short walk from the Capitol leads to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, a 4.4-acre outdoor gallery in the heart of the Western Gateway Park. The park features more than two dozen large-scale works by internationally recognized artists such as Jaume Plensa, Claes Oldenburg, and Louise Bourgeois, making it one of the most visited cultural destinations in the city and a free, year-round attraction for short-term rental guests.

In mid-August, the city transforms during the Iowa State Fair, held on the fairgrounds just east of downtown. Known as one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the country, it draws more than a million visitors annually with livestock shows, live music, a famous butter cow sculpture, and an enormous variety of fair foods. For travelers visiting outside of fair week, the fairgrounds host year-round events, including trade shows, car shows, and horse racing.

Just north of the city, Saylorville Lake provides roughly 5,400 acres of water and more than 30,000 acres of surrounding recreation area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. About a 20-minute drive from downtown, it offers boating, fishing, swimming beaches, camping, and miles of multi-use trails, giving visitors an easy outdoor escape from the urban core.

Des Moines offers short-term rental owners a rare combination of stable corporate travel, robust event-based demand from the State Fair and conventions, and a growing leisure market drawn to its riverfront parks, sculpture gardens, and nearby outdoor recreation. Its central location, affordability, and mix of small-city charm with big-city amenities make it a reliable and versatile base for short-term rental investment.

Want to know if a property in Des Moines is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.