Building permits in Des Moines, IA
Permits for Des Moines are issued by City of Des Moines, Permit & Development Center. Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Des Moines, Permit & Development Center
- Phone
- (515) 283-4200
- Portal
- css.dmgov.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home
Tyler EnerGov CSS portal. 1200 Locust St. permits@dmgov.org.
What each job needs in Des Moines
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Des Moines before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Iowa
No competency license, but all contractors earning $2,000+/year from construction must register with the state (out-of-state contractors post a $25,000 bond).
Issued by Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL) — Contractor Registration · Verify a licence
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Department, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.