Resources

Information for River Bend residents, from historic district guidelines to home repair programs and neighborhood reporting tools.

Use the City’s “Show Me My House” tool to check if your property is in a Local Historic District: showmemyhouse.dsm.city 

Planning Exterior Renovations? 

If your property is in the Local Historic District, the City of Des Moines requires a Certificate of Appropriateness before exterior work begins. This process is managed by the City’s Historic Preservation Commission. Interior changes are not affected. 

Exterior work that requires approval includes windows, siding, doors, foundations, porches, garages, roofs, decks, fencing, retaining walls, railings, stairs, and sidewalks. Exterior changes that do not require approval include paint color, storm windows, and plantings. 

If you already have vinyl siding or windows, you are not required to replace them. The guidelines only apply when you go to replace or substantially repair existing materials.

The City’s approval process: 

1. Review the applicable guidelines: 
   • [Historic District Architectural Guidelines (PDF)] 
   • [Historic District Fence Guidelines (PDF)] 
2. Submit a Certificate of Appropriateness application through the City’s Customer Self-Service Portal. 
3. Your plans will be reviewed by City staff and the Historic Preservation Commission. You may attend a Commission meeting to discuss your project. 
4. Once approved, you’ll receive your Certificate of Appropriateness within five days and can begin work. 
5. If you disagree with the Commission’s decision, you may appeal to the City Council within ten days. 

Starting work without approval may result in a stop work order and a requirement to redo non-compliant work. 

City contact for historic preservation: Planning and Urban Design Department 1200 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 283-4192 | planning@dmgov.org 

Programs to Help with Home Repairs & Improvements 

Several City, state, and community programs may help River Bend residents with the cost of home repairs and improvements. Program details and funding change from year to year. Contact each program directly for current information. 

Keeping River Bend Strong 

River Bend is a neighborhood worth taking care of. Our historic homes, tree-lined streets, and diverse community make this a special place to live, and keeping properties well-maintained protects everyone’s investment and quality of life. 

The City of Des Moines enforces property maintenance standards through the Municipal Code to ensure homes and buildings remain safe and livable. If you notice a property concern in the neighborhood, such as broken or boarded-up windows, deteriorating structures, overgrown yards, junk or debris, abandoned vehicles, pest issues, or nuisance odors, you can report it. Reporting is not about being a difficult neighbor. It is about holding property owners accountable and making sure our neighborhood stays safe and welcoming for everyone. 

How to report a property concern: 

• The City’s Neighborhood Inspections Division (NID) handles complaints about property conditions including tall grass and weeds, junk and debris, junk vehicles, pest problems, nuisance odors, and deteriorating structures. Contact: nid@dmgov.org | (515) 283-4046 
• The Zoning Enforcement Division handles complaints about illegal business activity, signage violations, and nuisance noise. Contact: dz@dmgov.org | (515) 283-4207 
• You can also report issues through the myDSMmobile app or at dsm.city under Report a Problem.
• To find the specific inspector assigned to your area, use the City’s “Show Me My House” tool at showmemyhouse.dsm.city. 

Vacant Property Registry

The City of Des Moines requires owners of vacant properties to register them and maintain them to code standards. Vacant buildings must be kept secure with intact windows and doors, maintained roofing and siding, and mowed yards. If you are aware of a vacant property that is not being maintained, report it to the Neighborhood Inspections Division. The City’s Property Improvement Division monitors registered vacant properties and works to remediate those that are beyond repair. 

Learn more: dsm.city/departments/neighborhood_services/property_improvement