Des Moines, Iowa

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Polk County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredOwner Occupancy Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/7/2026
120Annual Cap
2026 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewal10 years (with option to renew)
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredYes
Insurance RequiredYes

Limits & Restrictions

Max Nights Per Year120
Density / Distance Cap1 per single-household detached structure; 1 per structure containing 2-9 households; 10% of units in multi-household attached structure
Parking RequiredYes

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • Conditional use approval required; NX2a district has additional owner-occupancy and density requirements; 700-foot separation requirement between STR lots in NX2a district

Official Sources

cms2.revize.com/revize/desmoines/document_center/plan_zoning/PZ-%20Second%20Amendment%20(Ch.%20134%20Short-term%20Rental%20-%20051820)%20-%20Ordinance.pdf
Data confidence: 92%Last updated: June 7, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Des Moines, Iowa

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Des Moines, Iowa are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit. The property must be owner-occupied.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Des Moines, Iowa?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Des Moines, Iowa. The property must be owner-occupied.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Des Moines?

A short-term rental permit is required.

Are there stay limits for short-term rentals in Des Moines?

Yes — Des Moines sets a cap of 120 rental nights per year.

Where do these Des Moines short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Des Moines's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Des Moines, Polk County, or Iowa authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.