The Development Services Department houses the Planning and Building Divisions for the City.  These two divisions provide day-to-day support for the development and building community and resident support for development and building questions.

The Planning Division responsibilities include:

  • Zoning
  • Long-Range Planning
  • The Comprehensive Plan
  • Current Development Proposals
  • Site Plan and Plat Review
  • Signs
  • Addressing

The Building Division responsibilities include:

  • Building Permits & Plan Review
  • Building Inspection
  • Rental Housing
  • Home Occupation

For meeting participation information for the Plan & Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and City Council, please refer to the posted agenda for details for electronic participation in each meeting. 

On the Friday before the meeting, a link to respective meeting agenda can be found on the city’s website at: https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/residents/get-involved/city-calendar.

If you cannot find the information you need on the City’s website for Development related questions please contact us by phone 515-222-3620 or email at developmentservices@wdm.iowa.gov.

If you cannot find the information you need on the City’s website for building permitting,  inspections or construction related questions at www.wdm.iowa/building, please contact us by phone 515-222-3630 or email at buildinginspection@wdm.iowa.gov 

Please see the following for help with information: How do I…

 …submit a development application:  use the City Access Portal (CAP). Follow the instructions that are on the website at www.wdm.iowa/CityAccessPortal. If you do not have access to the tools to submit electronically, the Development Services Department has a computer available in the lobby at City Hall located at 4200 Mills Civic Parkway.  City Staff is available to assist with the portal if needed.  

...submit a Pre-Application meeting request:  the Pre-application request is available on the City Access Portal (CAP).  Follow the instructions that are on the city website at www.wdm.iowa.gov/CityAccessPortal. 

...submit sub-contractor permits and some types of building permits:  use the City Access Portal (CAP). Follow the instructions that are on the website at www.wdm.iowa/CityAccessPortal. If you do not have access to the tools to submit electronically, the Development Services Department has a computer available in the lobby at City Hall located at 4200 Mills Civic Parkway.  City Staff is available to assist with the portal if needed.  

...to submit building permits not yet available on the CAP site, use the Building Division link to the permits on the website at www.wdm.iowa.gov/permits and submit the permit to the Building Division email at BI@wdm.iowa.gov. 

 …pay a fee or invoice from Development Services: 

1) For all requests made through the City Access Portal, please log into your account and pay fees through the portal with the link provided above. 

2) For development or permit applications not yet available online through the portal, you may mail a check to Development Services, PO Box 65320, Suite 1D, West Des Moines IA 50265-0320 or by calling 515-222-3630 for credit card or e-payment.  Payment may be done in-person. 

 …find out zoning information on a property: there is a digital zoning map located on the City’s Maps & GIS webpage at the following link Maps & GIS.  You may locate your property and use the color code to determine the zoning district assigned to that property.

… any other questions, please contact the Development Services Department at 515-222-3620 or via email to developmentservices@wdm.iowa.gov