Building Permit Records in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines has experienced significant growth and renovation activity, particularly with its many early to mid-20th-century homes, which face harsh Midwestern winters and humid summers. Accessing permit history allows buyers and remodelers to confirm that structural, roofing, or insulation work was completed to code, ensuring durability and energy efficiency.

Permit checks in Des Moines commonly uncover unpermitted basement finishes or unapproved HVAC system installations to save costs.

Looking up a specific Des Moines address? Get the full permit & property report free.
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Common Des Moines permit types & fees

Typical Iowa fee ranges by work type. Actual fees depend on project valuation.

Permit typeTypical fee
Kitchen / bath remodel
Required once plumbing, gas, or electrical is moved.
$230–$540
Electrical
New circuits, panel upgrades, rewiring.
$50–$320
Plumbing
Repipes, water heaters, fixture relocations.
$50–$270
Room addition / structural
Framing, foundation, and square-footage changes.
$450–$1,980
Roofing
Tear-off and re-roof; some cities exempt minor repairs.
$140–$450
HVAC
New systems, ductwork, and condenser swaps.
$70–$290

What's on the record

Pulled permits
Every permit on file for the address — additions, electrical, plumbing, roofing — with dates and status.
Unpermitted-work signals
Gaps between the home's history and its permits flag work that may never have been inspected.
Ownership & sales
Owner of record and transfer history, so you know who pulled what and when.
Inspections
Whether permitted work in Des Moines actually passed final inspection.

FAQ

How do I look up building permits in Des Moines?

Enter the property address on Reno HomeIQ — we pull Des Moines, Iowa public permit records, inspections, ownership, and sale history into one report, so you don't have to search the Iowa portal by hand.

Can I tell if work on a Des Moines home was permitted?

Yes. The report lists the permits on file for the address, which is how you spot potential unpermitted additions, electrical, or plumbing work before you buy or remodel.

How much are permits in Des Moines?

Des Moines permit fees vary by scope — a remodel permit typically runs $230–$540, with electrical, plumbing, and structural permits priced separately. Local fees track Des Moines's 90% cost level.

Is the permit lookup free?

The address lookup is free. A lifetime Home Passport PDF with the full permit and property record is $99.

Permit records in other Iowa cities

Cedar Rapids, IADavenport, IASioux City, IANew York, NYBrooklyn, NYBuffalo, NYRochester, NYLos Angeles, CASan Francisco, CASan Jose, CASan Diego, CAOakland, CASacramento, CAFresno, CA

Fee ranges are Iowa market estimates adjusted by Des Moines's local cost level; confirm exact fees with the local building department. Reno HomeIQ aggregates public permit and property records — enter an address for the specific report.