ADUs are allowed in Des MoinesTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Des Moines, IA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
67,431
Owner-occupied
79%
Zoning districts
91
Avg Home Value
$219,772
Median Lot Size
0.18 acres
Avg Income
$74,899
Residential Types:
67,431 housing units
Other
100%
Zoning Districts:
88,236 parcels · 91 districts
N3A
20%(17,494)
N5
17%(15,346)
N3B
15%(13,000)
ROW
7%(6,378)
Other
41%(36,018)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines, IA follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of an internal or attached ADU is 50% of the principal household unit’s floor area or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is larger.
- –With an approved Type 2 zoning exception, the maximum size may be increased by up to 50% over the standard cap.
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum ADU size is the larger of 50% of the principal home’s floor area or 1,000 sq ft.
- –With a Type 2 zoning exception, the maximum ADU size may be up to 50% above the standard cap.
Max Units
- –1 ADU per lot for single-family lots (A, DXR, RX1, RX2, N, NX).
- –0 ADUs per lot for duplex or multifamily principal structures.
Owner Occupancy
- –No owner-occupancy requirement.
Rental Restrictions
- –ADU rentals: tenancy must be month-to-month or longer; short-term rentals (<30 days) are allowed only as accessory lodging to a household living principal use.
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Iowa municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Warren County