Add mortgage info if you already own this property. Get your vacation rental license, tax registration and inspections done for you. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Regulations could have changed since this article was published.
Check local zoning authorities and consult a legal professional before making any decisions. The growing presence of short-term rentals has raised questions for Des Moines and other cities across Iowa about how to regulate the emerging industry. Like ride-sharing services, city officials are grappling with how to oversee this new business model. While Des Moines has been slower than some cities to update its code, the city has taken steps to strengthen oversight of short-term rentals in response to some conflicts that have arisen in residential areas.
Complaints from neighbors about issues like noise, parking, and high turnover of guests at STR properties prompted the city to act. The city aims to balance the economic opportunity for hosts with protections for neighborhood character and quality of life. Officials want to ensure STRs don't negatively impact housing availability and affordability for long-term residents. Des Moines' STR ordinance was the result of an extensive stakeholder engagement process that included input from hosts, neighbors, housing advocates, and industry representatives.
The regulations attempt to find a middle ground that allows STRs to operate while mitigating potential downsides. Key provisions include a permitting system, density restrictions, occupancy limits, parking requirements, and tax collection. The goal is to integrate STRs into the fabric of Des Moines neighborhoods without overwhelming residential areas or depleting needed housing stock. All short-term rentals in Des Moines must acquire a rental certificate and be approved by the city's board of adjustment.
Property owners are allowed to operate as a short-term rental for five years before needing to secure an ongoing license. To gain approval, STR operators need to meet certain requirements like providing sufficient off-street parking, following occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms, and agreeing to inspections. Density restrictions also prohibit STRs from operating within feet of another licensed property, unless grandfathered in. The licensing process involves submitting an application with supporting documentation to the city's Neighborhood Inspection Zoning Division.
