West Des Moines, IA

Utility Permitting and Construction Procedures

Private Utility Work

• Approval Required: The City must review and approve all private utility work on City property or easements before construction begins.
• City Code: All work must follow Title 7 of the West Des Moines City Code.
• Coordination: For subdivisions or City-related projects, utility companies must coordinate directly with the project design engineer.
• Permit Application: You must submit permit applications through the City SharePoint site.
  • To request access, email Nick Rentel at nick.rentel@wdm.iowa.gov.
  • Applications require general project info, contact details, and construction plans that meet all City requirements.

Locates and Infrastructure

• Sewer Information: Contact Engineering Services at 515-222-3475 for sanitary and storm sewer locations before starting new building construction.
• Water Information: Contact West Des Moines Water Works at 515-222-3510 or use the Iowa One Call Design Request System.
• Placement: All new or moved utility lines must be underground unless the City Engineer approves otherwise.
• Planning: Utility companies are responsible for choosing routes that avoid conflicts with City infrastructure.
  • Follow the Guidelines for Placement of Utilities.
  • Utility coring must follow Coring and Hydro-Excavating Requirements.
• Maps: Use our Interactive GIS Maps as a base map for infrastructure info (excluding Water Works data).
• Sewer Locates: Call Public Services at 515-222-3480 at least 48 hours before starting work for City sewer locate information.

Permitting and Notifications

• Timeline: You must obtain permits for excavations, tunneling, or lane closures at least 48 hours before work begins.
• Lane Closures: Complete the Street/Lane Closure Permit Application and fax it to 515-222-3478.
• Authorization: Work cannot start until the City accepts the proposal and all permits are issued.
• Public Notice: Utility companies must notify and coordinate with nearby residents and businesses before starting work.
• Site Restoration: As soon as work is finished, you must repair, backfill, and sod any disturbed areas before leaving the site.

Contact Engineering Services at 515-222-3475 at least 48 hours before starting any utility work.

You can also search Iowa One Call Tickets by street name.