Where is West Des Moines zoning codified?

West Des Moines' zoning regulations are Title 9 of the City Code, administered by the Community and Economic Development department.

How do I find the zoning for a parcel in West Des Moines?

The city's GIS zoning map, maintained by Community and Economic Development, shows the current district for any address; staff can confirm details for parcels with pending rezoning applications.

Is Valley Junction a separate zoning district in West Des Moines?

Valley Junction is a historic commercial district that has been the focus of frequent rezoning debate as the city balances preservation with new mixed-use infill; its parcels fall under the city's standard zoning districts, so a current map check is the way to confirm status for a specific site.

West Des Moines, Iowa · city zoning districts · 15 districts

West Des Moines, IA zoning map & districts

West Des Moines' zoning regulations are Title 9 (Zoning) of the City Code, administered by the Community and Economic Development department, with the Plan and Zoning Commission reviewing rezonings before City Council approval. As the fastest-growing suburb in the Des Moines metro, the city sees continual rezoning activity, both greenfield development on its western edge and infill/redevelopment pressure in established areas like the historic Valley Junction commercial district, where preservation and new mixed-use development regularly come into tension.

The code West Des Moines Zoning Ordinance

West Des Moines zoning map

West Des Moines' Community and Economic Development department maintains Title 9 (Zoning) of the City Code and the official zoning map; the city's GIS portal supports parcel-level lookup.

There is no link to the official map here yet — confirm current district boundaries directly with the West Des Moines planning or zoning department.

A published summary is never the authority. The adopted ordinance and the city's official zoning map govern, and both change — verify the district and every standard on your parcel before you rely on it.

How zoning works in West Des Moines

Because West Des Moines' zoning map is actively evolving with the city's growth, current district boundaries and any recent amendments should be confirmed directly with Community and Economic Development staff, particularly for parcels near Valley Junction or other areas with active rezoning debates.

West Des Moines zoning districts by family

The 15 district codes below are the ones that decide most projects in West Des Moines, grouped by what they are for rather than by the order the ordinance prints them.

Key districts in the West Des Moines Zoning Ordinance — a curated reference, not the exhaustive list. Confirm against the current adopted code.
Code	District	What it is for
Residential 5 districts
RE	Residential Estate	Large-lot estate residential district.
RS	Residential Single-Family	Standard single-family district.
RM	Residential Medium-Density	Townhome and small multifamily density tier.
RH	Residential High-Density	Apartment-scale multifamily district.
MH	Manufactured Housing	Manufactured home community district.
Commercial 3 districts
NC	Neighborhood Commercial	Small-format retail serving surrounding neighborhoods.
CMC	Community Commercial	Mid-scale shopping district along collector corridors.
RC	Regional Commercial	Largest-format retail district, regional draw.
Downtown / core 2 districts
VJC	Valley Junction Commercial	Commercial district in West Des Moines' historic Valley Junction core.
VJHB	Valley Junction Historic Business	Historic-preservation overlay for Valley Junction's original business blocks.
Industrial 3 districts
BP	Business Park	Campus-style office and light-industrial park district.
LI	Light Industrial	Light manufacturing and warehousing district.
GI	General Industrial	Heavier industrial uses.
Special purpose 2 districts
OS	Agricultural/Open Space	Holding zone for undeveloped and agricultural land at the city's edge.
PUD	Planned Unit Development	Negotiated master-plan district for larger sites.

West Des Moines zoning — common questions

Where is West Des Moines zoning codified?: West Des Moines' zoning regulations are Title 9 of the City Code, administered by the Community and Economic Development department.
How do I find the zoning for a parcel in West Des Moines?: The city's GIS zoning map, maintained by Community and Economic Development, shows the current district for any address; staff can confirm details for parcels with pending rezoning applications.
Is Valley Junction a separate zoning district in West Des Moines?: Valley Junction is a historic commercial district that has been the focus of frequent rezoning debate as the city balances preservation with new mixed-use infill; its parcels fall under the city's standard zoning districts, so a current map check is the way to confirm status for a specific site.

Working in Iowa? Get on the list.

The parcel layer lands in the order demand does. Illinois went first because that's where the deals were; the next state is decided by who tells us what they're trying to underwrite. Tell us where you're building and what you wanted to run — you'll hear from us when Iowa opens, and sooner if we need a test parcel.

Keep reading

← Iowa zoning — who holds the zoning power in Iowa, under which enabling statute, and the reforms that override local rules.

Other Iowa cities

The zoning reference → — every state, plus city-level district guides like this one.

West Des Moines zoning summaries on this page are provided for information, not legal advice. Confirm every project against the current adopted code for the jurisdiction.