Do I Need a Permit for a Fence in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines fence permits depend on three questions: what material is the fence, how tall is it, and where on your lot does it go? The city maintains a dedicated Residential Fence Guide at dsm.city/departments/development_services/permit_development_center/residential/residential_fences with clear height limits, setback rules, permit thresholds, and historic-district requirements. Understanding these rules before buying fence materials prevents the frustration of building a non-conforming fence that has to come down.
Des Moines fence permit rules — the basics
The Des Moines Planning Division handles fence permits, not the Building and Safety division. The Planning Division is reachable at planning@dmgov.org or 515-283-4192, with hours Monday through Friday 8am–5pm. The PDC's Residential Fence Guide page at dsm.city describes the step-by-step process: determine property lines, draw a fence plan, obtain the fence permit, build the fence, and request a fence inspection. The fence plan submitted with the permit application must show the property lines, the proposed fence line with height and style, and a north arrow. The decorative side of the fence must face outward (away from your property, toward the neighbor or street).
Des Moines fence height rules create a tiered system based on where the fence is located on the lot. In the rear yard and interior side yards, fences up to 6 feet in height are allowed — the city's general maximum. In the front yard (defined as the area forward of the main plane of the house toward the street), the maximum height is 3 feet. Fences over 3 feet in the front yard, if allowed at all, must be of open material such as picket or metal that allows visibility through the fence — solid board fences are not allowed in the front yard per Des Moines Municipal Code Section 135-7.11.2. On corner lots, the street side yard has specific rules: fences not exceeding 6 feet may be placed in the street side yard when maintained at least 15 feet from the ultimate right-of-way. For existing properties at non-conforming setbacks less than 15 feet from the right-of-way, the fence may align with the dwelling plane but no closer than 5 feet from the lot line.
The permit threshold creates a practical working rule: most homeowners installing a standard 6-foot privacy fence in their rear yard need a permit. A 4-foot decorative picket fence in the front yard does not need a permit (it's above 3 feet, so it does, actually — read more carefully: any fence over 3 feet except chain-link over 4 feet requires a permit). The practical answer: if you're installing any fence over 3 feet tall anywhere on your property — or a chain-link fence over 4 feet — get the permit. The permit process for a fence in Des Moines is relatively straightforward and quick; fences don't typically require engineering review, making the approval turnaround faster than structural projects.
Historic districts in Des Moines add a separate layer of requirements. The city designates local historic districts including areas like Sherman Hill, Salisbury House area, and portions of the East Village. In local historic districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required before obtaining a fence permit — visit dsm.city/hdfences for the specific historic district fence requirements. Chain-link fences are expressly prohibited in local historic districts. Fence materials, heights, and styles in historic districts must be compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood as determined by the Historic Preservation Commission or staff. For most standard wood or wrought iron fences in historic districts, staff-level COA approval is available without a public hearing.
Why the same fence in three Des Moines neighborhoods gets three different outcomes
| Variable | How it affects your Des Moines fence permit |
|---|---|
| Permit threshold by material and height | Chain-link and wire fences at 4 feet or less: no permit. Any other fence (wood, vinyl, composite, wrought iron) at 3 feet or less: no permit. Chain-link over 4 feet: permit required. Any other fence over 3 feet: permit required. The practical result: most privacy fences require a permit. |
| Front yard height limit | Maximum 3 feet in the front yard (the area forward of the main plane of the house). Any front yard fence over 3 feet must be open-style material (picket or metal allowing visibility). Solid board fencing in the front yard above the front face of the house is prohibited. This rule often surprises homeowners trying to enclose a front yard for dog containment. |
| Corner lot street side yard | On corner lots, a 6-foot fence in the street side yard must maintain a minimum 15-foot setback from the ultimate right-of-way. The vision clearance triangle at street intersections (15-foot legs from the corner) must remain free of any fence or structure above 3 feet. Confirm ultimate right-of-way width with the Planning Division before installing on a corner lot. |
| Historic district | Local historic districts require a Certificate of Appropriateness before a fence permit. Chain-link is prohibited in historic districts. Fence style, height, and material must be compatible with historic character. Visit dsm.city/hdfences for district-specific requirements. Staff-level COA approval is available for compatible fence types without a commission hearing. |
| Property lines | The PDC requires that homeowners determine property lines before applying for a fence permit. Fences built over property lines create neighbor disputes and potential encroachment liability. Use your recorded plat, legal description, or hire a licensed surveyor to confirm property lines before installing fence posts. |
| Decorative side faces outward | All Des Moines fences must have the decorative or finished side facing outward — away from your property and toward the street, right-of-way, or neighboring property. This is a code requirement, not just a courtesy norm. The fence inspection verifies this. |
Iowa winters and fences — what the freeze-thaw cycle does to your posts
Des Moines' 42-inch frost depth — the same engineering standard that governs deck footings — affects fence posts in the same fundamental way. Fence posts set in shallow concrete footings or without concrete at all are subject to frost heave that pushes them upward by 1–3 inches over a single winter, producing visible out-of-level fence lines and loosening post-to-rail connections. Professional fence installers in Des Moines use a variety of post-setting methods to address this: some use concrete footings that extend at least 36 inches below grade (below the typical frost heave zone even if not to full 42-inch frost depth), others use posts set in compacted gravel backfill that drains freely and reduces frost pressure. Steel fence posts driven into the ground with a mechanical driver also tend to resist heave better than concrete-set wood posts because the driven steel post has more resistance to the upward frost force.
Cedar and pressure-treated lumber are the standard choices for wood fence posts in Des Moines. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and is popular for its aesthetic, but in Iowa's wet freeze-thaw climate, cedar posts in direct ground contact have a service life of approximately 10–15 years before the base shows significant decay. Pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact (UC4B) extends post life significantly. Many Des Moines homeowners now use pressure-treated 4×4 posts even for cedar-picket fences, accepting the appearance trade-off in the buried section for the improved longevity in the wet Iowa ground conditions. The visible above-grade portion of the fence can still use cedar pickets and rails for aesthetics while the structural posts are pressure-treated.
Iowa's wind environment — with design wind speeds of 105–120 mph in Des Moines — means that 6-foot solid privacy fences act as a significant wind sail. Fence post embedment depth and concrete footing sizing should be matched to the fence height and panel solid coverage. A 6-foot cedar privacy fence with 8-foot post spacing and posts set 24 inches in concrete may fail at the post in a severe Iowa storm; the same fence with posts set 36 inches in concrete (or the full 42 inches for maximum stability) at 6-foot spacing is substantially more resilient. Licensed fence contractors in Des Moines familiar with the local wind conditions can advise on appropriate post depth and spacing for a given fence design. The fence permit inspection does not typically include a measurement of post embedment depth, but the long-term performance and warranty claims of a fence contractor are often contingent on proper post installation.
What a fence costs in Des Moines
Fence installation costs in Des Moines reflect the competitive Midwest contractor market. A standard 6-foot privacy fence in pressure-treated or cedar lumber runs approximately $20–$35 per linear foot installed, putting a 150-linear-foot privacy fence project in the $3,000–$5,250 range. Vinyl/PVC privacy fencing runs $28–$50 per linear foot installed. Decorative wrought iron or aluminum ornamental fencing runs $40–$80 per linear foot installed. Chain-link fencing runs $12–$25 per linear foot installed depending on gauge and height. Composite wood-look fencing runs $35–$55 per linear foot installed. Fence permit fees in Des Moines are relatively modest; contact the Planning Division at planning@dmgov.org or 515-283-4192 for a specific fee estimate for your project. The fence permit process typically adds one to two weeks to the project start date, which is worth accounting for in scheduling.
1200 Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-283-4192
Email: planning@dmgov.org
Fence guide: dsm.city/residential_fences
Historic district fences: dsm.city/hdfences
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Common questions about Des Moines fence permits
Can I build a 6-foot fence in my front yard in Des Moines?
No. Des Moines Municipal Code limits front yard fences to a maximum of 3 feet in height. The front yard is defined as the area forward of the main plane of the house toward the street. Any fence in the front yard above 3 feet must be open-style material (picket fence or metal) — solid board fencing is prohibited in the front yard position. A common misconception is that the 6-foot maximum in side and rear yards extends around the full lot; it does not. The front yard restriction is specifically designed to maintain neighborhood visibility and street character in Des Moines neighborhoods. If you need dog containment or privacy in your front yard, a 3-foot picket fence or a lower decorative metal fence are the compliant options.
Does Des Moines require a survey before installing a fence?
The city doesn't mandate a formal survey as a permit prerequisite, but the PDC's Residential Fence Guide strongly emphasizes determining property lines before applying. Disputes over property lines are the most common source of fence-related neighbor conflicts in Des Moines, and a fence installed 6 inches over the property line onto a neighbor's property is a legal encroachment that can require removal at significant cost and neighbor relations damage. If your property lines are not clear from existing markers, use your recorded plat or legal description to locate corners, or hire a licensed land surveyor for a formal stake-out before committing to a fence layout. The modest cost of a survey ($300–$800 for a typical Des Moines residential lot) is small insurance against a dispute.
I'm in a historic district in Des Moines. What fence materials are allowed?
Chain-link is prohibited in all Des Moines local historic districts. Acceptable fence materials in historic districts include wood (cedar picket, board-on-board, or similar), wrought iron, aluminum ornamental, and composite wood-look materials that are compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood. The specific acceptable styles depend on the district's design guidelines. Before purchasing or installing any fence in a Des Moines historic district, visit dsm.city/hdfences for the district-specific fence requirements and contact the Planning Division's Historic Preservation staff at planning@dmgov.org to confirm your proposed fence design qualifies for staff-level Certificate of Appropriateness approval. Staff-level approval is faster (typically one to three weeks) than the full Historic Preservation Commission public hearing process.
Do I need to put the finished side of my fence facing outward in Des Moines?
Yes. Des Moines code requires that the decorative or finished side of all fences face outward — toward the street, right-of-way, or neighboring property rather than inward toward your own yard. This applies to all fence types including wood privacy fences (the smooth face faces out, the framing and structural rails face in), vinyl panel fences (the smooth cap-and-trim side faces out), and ornamental metal fences (the decorative side faces out). This is enforced at the fence inspection and can be a violation that requires the fence to be reversed if not done correctly. Most professional fence installers in Des Moines are familiar with this requirement and comply automatically, but DIY fence builders sometimes aren't aware of it.
How long does it take to get a fence permit in Des Moines?
Fence permits in Des Moines are processed by the Planning Division, which typically reviews standard fence permit applications within a few business days for non-historic-district properties. The process involves confirming that the fence plan shows compliance with height limits, material requirements, and setbacks. Historic district fences that require a Certificate of Appropriateness add one to three weeks for staff-level review, or longer if a full Historic Preservation Commission hearing is required. Contact the Planning Division at planning@dmgov.org to ask about current review timelines for your fence type before starting your project. For most standard residential fences in non-historic areas of Des Moines, the total permit timeline from application to approval is typically one to two weeks.
My neighbor and I want to share a fence on the property line. Who needs the permit?
In Des Moines, either owner can pull the fence permit for a shared fence on or near the property line. Iowa's Good Neighbor Fence Law (Iowa Code Chapter 359A) addresses the rights and obligations of adjoining landowners regarding partition fences, including cost-sharing provisions. However, the Des Moines fence permit is a building code matter separate from the neighbor-fence cost-sharing question under state law. For a shared fence, the practical approach is for one party to pull the permit and share the permit documentation with the neighbor. Both parties should agree in writing on the fence location, design, cost-sharing arrangement, and maintenance responsibilities before any fence is installed. The PDC does not adjudicate neighbor disputes about fence cost-sharing — those are civil law matters.
This page provides general guidance based on publicly available sources as of April 2026, including the Des Moines PDC Residential Fence Guide, Des Moines Municipal Code Section 135-7.11.2, and the Des Moines historic district fence requirements (dsm.city/hdfences). For a personalized report based on your exact address, use our permit research tool.