Home Building
West Des Moines, IA
Building a new house in West Des Moines means a portal filing and a valuation-based permit fee. Smaller city fees cover occupancy, the sewer tap, sidewalks and erosion inspection. Water service comes from a separate utility. This page covers each one so you see the full list before you build.
- West Des Moines at a glance
Growth in West Des Moines
West Des Moines grew from 11,949 people in 1960 to 68,723 in 2020, and the Census Bureau estimates 74,224 for 2025. The city covers 47.22 square miles of land across four counties.
11,949 to 74,224
Residents, 1960 to 2025
47.22 sq mi
Land area, 2020
$309,000
Median owner-occupied home value
Two districts
West Des Moines and Waukee schools
$175.92 per sq ft
City valuation, new house
$60
Certificate of Occupancy fee
$81
Sewer tap fee, new tap
5,000 sq ft
Smallest RS lot
- Permits and rules
New home permits in West Des Moines
New single family homes and townhomes in West Des Moines need a building permit filed through the City Access Portal. The fee comes from a per-square-foot valuation, plus fixed charges for occupancy, sewer, sidewalk and erosion control. Here is what the city requires.
Filing a new home
New single family homes and new townhomes each have their own permit type and checklist in the City Access Portal. The city requires electronic submission, so plans are uploaded rather than dropped off. The portal also shows review status, takes fees and books inspections.
How the fee is figured
The Fee Estimator values a new house or townhome at $175.92 per square foot, finished basement space at $88.00 and unfinished basement at $31.50. A home valued from $100,001 to $500,000 pays $845 plus $4.85 per added $1,000. Single family homes skip the 65% plan review fee charged on commercial and multifamily work.
Occupancy, sewer and erosion fees
Each permit carries a $60 Certificate of Occupancy fee. The city adds $81 per building when a new sewer tap is needed and $17.50 when a new sidewalk is needed. A stormwater erosion inspection fee starts at $154. Water connections are priced by West Des Moines Water Works at 515-222-3460.
Right-of-way and grading
Excavation in the right-of-way, sidewalk work and driveway approach work need a right-of-way permit. Land grading and significant soil movement need a grading permit. Both go through the City Access Portal, and Engineering Services answers questions at 515-222-3475. They are separate from the building permit.
Design loads and frost depth
The city’s design parameters call for a 42-inch frost depth and a 30-pound ground snow load with a 24-pound roof load. Wind speeds run 105, 115 or 120 mph by risk category, and seismic design falls in zone A. Those numbers set footing depth and framing sizes.
Lots and height
The RS district allows lots as small as 5,000 square feet, and R-1 requires 7,500. Single family homes are limited to three stories. RS houses keep a 30-foot front yard and 35-foot rear yard, while R-1 needs 35 feet for both. The city also has many planned unit developments with their own standards.
- Our process
How Busy Builders builds your West Des Moines new home
We begin with the lot’s zoning, setbacks and utility access, then build the plan set and file it through the City Access Portal. Right-of-way and grading permits go in alongside the building permit when the site needs them. Our licensed trades file their sub-contractor permits, and the job closes with the Certificate of Occupancy.
Busy Builders is based in West Des Moines and has completed more than 1,285 projects since 2020.
- Zoning and utilities checked first
- Building, grading and right-of-way permits
- Closeout with the Certificate of Occupancy
Lot to Certificate of Occupancy
- Achievement
Trusted Home Building Contractors in West Des Moines, IA
- Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About Home Building in West Des Moines
How much does it cost to build a home in West Des Moines?
Busy Builders builds new homes from about $150 per square foot. Final costs vary by scope, materials, complexity and location within our service area. City fees come on top. The permit fee uses the city’s own valuation of $175.92 per square foot, which is a fee basis, not a construction price.
What city fees come with a new house in West Des Moines?
Expect the valuation-based building permit fee and a $60 Certificate of Occupancy fee. Add an $81 sewer tap fee when a new tap is needed and a $17.50 sidewalk fee for a new sidewalk. The stormwater erosion inspection fee is at least $154, and water connection costs come from West Des Moines Water Works.
How small can a building lot be in West Des Moines?
In the RS district, 5,000 square feet. In R-1, 7,500 square feet. Planned unit developments set their own lot standards. Check your district on the city’s interactive zoning map before you buy a lot or start plans.
Do I need a grading permit to build in West Des Moines?
If the job involves land grading or significant soil movement, yes. Sidewalk or driveway approach work in the right-of-way also needs a right-of-way permit. Both are applied for through the City Access Portal, and Engineering Services handles them at 515-222-3475.
Will new West Des Moines homes need radon protection?
Once the state rule is adopted, yes. A state law, HF 2297, was signed and took effect July 1, 2026. It calls for passive radon systems in new homes once Iowa’s State Building Code Commissioner adopts the rule. Radon is a real issue here: Iowa HHS says about 5 in 7 Iowa homes test above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L.
Who supplies water to a new home in West Des Moines?
West Des Moines Water Works, a separate utility from the city’s Building Division. Call 515-222-3460 for connection fees and costs. The city’s own fee sheet covers the sewer tap, sidewalk, erosion inspection and Certificate of Occupancy.
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