Des Moines, Iowa Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Des Moines Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
The City of Des Moines regulates short-term rental. Short-Term Commercial Rental is defined as the use of a household unit for commercial lodging. A household unit, or part of a household unit, other than a restaurant, motel, temporary shelter, or bed and breakfast, where lodging is provided for compensation for one or more persons for less than 30 consecutive days.A short-term rental should not be used for any assembly use. Short-term rentals shall include one or more adults 21 years of age or older in the renting party and shall be limited to a single party of individuals.
A maximum of one short-term rental may be allowed per single-household detached structure. If located in an NX2a district, the short-term rentalshall be owner-occupied or associated with an owner-occupied principal residential structure or tenant-occupied or associated with a tenant-occupied principal residential structure with the signed written consent of the property owner. The owner-occupant or tenant-occupant, as applicable, shall reside in the single-household detached structure containing or associated with the short-term rental as their primary residence for no fewer than six months annually, with each annual period. A maximum of one short-term rental may be allowed per structure containing between two and nine households.
For more information, see Sec. 134-3.5.12
Business License Requirements
Short-term rentals might need a conditional use permit. Contact the Planning and Urban Design Division.Building and Housing Standards
Des Moines has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the Adopted Construction Codes for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Des Moines for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.7
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Competition
5.8 -
Real Estate Cost
8.8 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
7.3 -
Rental Rates
2.6
Des Moines, Iowa Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 214,133
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Des Moines
- Airports
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
Want to learn more about Des Moines?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Des Moines rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Des Moines rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Des Moines.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Des Moines guests.
Interested in other Iowa cities?
Check out the Iowa Airbnb rules directory
What makes Des Moines a great place to invest?
- Iowa State Capitol - The stunning gold-domed capitol building is the centerpiece of the city, offering tours and a chance to learn about Iowa's political history. The capitol building is surrounded by beautiful gardens and outdoor sculptures, making it a perfect spot for a stroll.
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park - This 4.4-acre park features more than two dozen large-scale outdoor sculptures from renowned artists such as Jaume Plensa and Louise Bourgeois. Visitors can take a self-guided tour or participate in one of the park's free public art walks.
- Downtown Farmers' Market - From May to October, the Des Moines Farmers' Market draws locals and visitors alike to sample fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts from more than 300 vendors. The market also features live music and entertainment, making it a perfect weekend outing.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden - This 7-acre garden features indoor and outdoor displays of plants and flowers from around the world. Visitors can explore the garden's various ecosystems, including a tropical rainforest and a desert garden.
- Gray's Lake Park - This 167-acre park offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, boating, fishing, and ice skating in the winter. The park's scenic walking trail offers stunning views of downtown Des Moines and the park's centerpiece, a 167-foot pedestrian bridge.
- Iowa State Fair - Known as one of the largest and most famous state fairs in the United States, the Iowa State Fair draws visitors from all over the country to enjoy carnival rides, fair food, live music, and livestock shows. The fair takes place every August and is a true Iowa tradition.
- Des Moines Art Center - The Des Moines Art Center features more than 5,000 works of art from the 19th century to contemporary times, including pieces by Henri Matisse, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Edward Hopper. The museum also offers free admission and various events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Des Moines Nearby Cities
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104 miles away
- Rating: 7.6
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126 miles away
- Rating: 6.0
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Des Moines?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Des Moines has increased 11% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $194, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$254,868
11% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$194
5% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,138
2% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Des Moines
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Des Moines, Iowa
Common terms for Des Moines short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Des Moines has a description approximately 1,433 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 1,093 listings in Des Moines, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Des Moines, Downtown, Downtown Des, Place, Stocked, Comfortable, Quiet, Family, Garage, and Modern.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Des Moines?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Des Moines involve going to the City Centre, Antiquing, Museums, the Health Spa, and the Zoo. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Antiquing
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Museums
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Health Spa
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Zoo
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Outlet Shopping
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Adventure Activities
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Cycling
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Casinos
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Water Parks
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Boating
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Hiking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Des Moines, including Wells Fargo Arena, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Drake University, Iowa Events Center, and Des Moines Civic Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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Wells Fargo Arena
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Drake University
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Iowa Events Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Des Moines Civic Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Merle Hay Mall
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Iowa State Capitol Building
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Iowa State Fairgrounds
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Blank Park Zoo
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Hy Vee Hall
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Living History Farms
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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Hoyt Sherman Place
Included on most listings
What’s the weather like in Des Moines, Iowa?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 61°, while the average low is about 43°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 29 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 12 inches per year. The humidity levels in Des Moines are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
20° Low 36° High
Spring
March through May
43° Low 63° High
Summer
June through August
65° Low 84° High
Fall
September through November
45° Low 63° High
Cities Near Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa, is located in Des Moines County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
