West Des Moines Zoning Map & Districts 2026

Very low-density areas dominated by agriculture, grazing, wooded areas and large-lot estate or farm homes, preserving open space and buffering incompatible uses.

Low-density single-family neighborhoods of larger, individually designed lots, with minimum lot size set by a suffix.

Single-family neighborhoods with a wide range of lot sizes and overall density of 1.1 to 6.0 dwelling units per acre; minimum lot size set by suffix.

Single-family neighborhoods with a minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet; no lot-size suffixes are used.

Recognizes the established single-family neighborhood in Commerce with a minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet, addressing topography and Raccoon River floodplain constraints.

Recognizes the established single-family neighborhood in Valley Junction with a typical lot size of 6,000 square feet.

Areas for manufactured and mobile home subdivisions and parks at densities of 5.1 to 12.0 dwelling units per acre, with density set by suffix.

Multi-family residential environment of no more than 12 dwelling units per acre, with maximum density set by suffix.

Compact multi-family residential environment of no more than 18 dwelling units per acre, with maximum density set by suffix.

Large-scale comparison-shopping areas anchored by an enclosed mall of 750,000+ square feet, typically 120 acres or more on arterials with freeway access.

Areas supplying daily and occasional shopping needs (supermarkets, drugstores, restaurants, banks), typically 15 to 50 acres at arterial/collector intersections.

Small commercial centers providing a limited range of products and services to surrounding neighborhoods, one story, typically 5 to 15 acres, designed to be residential-compatible.

Single-user sites or small centers for frequently purchased goods and services (convenience markets, offices, daycare, banks), one story, typically 1 to 5 acres, residential-compatible.

Commercial centers oriented toward the freeway motoring public and/or employment centers, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations and offices.

Commercial uses oriented toward the motoring public along First Street and Railroad Avenue, developed in conformance with the Valley Junction subarea plan and historic guidelines.

The old downtown area of Valley Junction; offices, restaurants, bars, specialty retail and personal services developed per the Valley Junction subarea plan and historic guidelines.

Design- and performance-controlled areas for office, research and development, warehouse and distribution, and light assembly and manufacturing, planned as a unified whole.

Recognizes the established light industrial neighborhood in Valley Junction (typical lot size 7,250 square feet) for low-impact industrial uses that coexist with residential uses.

Areas for most light industrial and warehouse/distribution facilities, with buffering required against residential and other uses.

Areas for light and heavy industrial uses and warehouse/distribution, allowing outside storage and fabrication yards when properly mitigated, with buffering against residential uses.

Professional office development (insurance, medical, law, real estate, finance) in harmony with adjacent uses, with landscape buffering and limited support commercial uses.

Area for the management, research, design, marketing and production needs of professional-commerce enterprises meeting performance and design standards.

Allows planned development of an area under a unified plan that may mix residential, commercial, office, industrial and public land uses.

Overlay districts delineating floodplain and floodway areas from the official flood overlay zoning map and supporting studies, governing flood-protection and floodproofing requirements.