The main switchboard for Des Moines City Hall is (515) 283-4500, which can route you to most offices, but calling the right Des Moines city department phone number directly will almost always save you time. The numbers below are grouped by what you’re trying to get done.1City of Des Moines. City of Des Moines
Emergency and Non-Emergency Police and Fire
Call 911 for anything life-threatening or a crime in progress. For everything else that still involves police or fire, call non-emergency dispatch at (515) 283-4811. The line is staffed 24 hours and handles noise complaints, suspicious activity, property crime reports, and animal calls that aren’t dangerous.2City of Des Moines. Contact Des Moines Police Department
Streets, Garbage, Sewer, and Potholes
Public Works runs a 24/7 customer service line at (515) 283-4950. Use it for garbage and recycling problems, sewer backups, potholes, icy streets, damaged street signs, and general road maintenance.3City of Des Moines. Public Works4City of Des Moines. Report a Problem During business hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., traffic signal malfunctions and missing stop signs can also go to (515) 283-4973.
Water Service and Water Main Breaks
Water is handled by Des Moines Water Works, which is a separate entity from the city. For service, billing, or a water main break, call (515) 283-8700. Calling Public Works about a water issue won’t get you anywhere.
Street Lights
Street lights are MidAmerican Energy’s responsibility, not the city’s. Report a burned-out light through the MidAmerican online form, or call (888) 427-5632 for emergencies like a leaning pole or broken fixture. Standard repairs take about three weeks. Lights giving off a purple or blue hue are a known manufacturer defect worth noting in the report.5MidAmerican Energy. Request Streetlight Repair
Parking Tickets, Licenses, and City Records
The City Clerk’s office at (515) 283-4209 covers a surprising amount of ground.6City of Des Moines. City Clerk To pay or dispute a parking ticket, call that number and select option 2, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.7City of Des Moines. Pay Parking Tickets Public records requests under Iowa’s Open Records Law also start with the Clerk, who holds the city’s Council proceedings, ordinances, and contracts.
Property Taxes and City Finance
For city finance questions generally, go through City Hall at (515) 283-4500. The Treasury division has a direct line at (515) 283-4140.8City of Des Moines. Treasury
Property taxes are not a city matter. They’re administered by the Polk County Treasurer’s Office at (515) 286-3060. Calling City Hall about a tax bill will just send you there.8City of Des Moines. Treasury
Permits, Zoning, and Housing Inspections
Building and renovation projects start with the Permit and Development Center at (515) 283-4200. Residential and commercial permits are issued there, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at City Hall.9City of Des Moines. Permit and Development Center
Zoning questions split by type:
- Zoning enforcement complaints: (515) 283-4207 or dz@dmgov.org
- Planning, site review, and subdivision platting: (515) 283-4192 or planning@dmgov.org
Neither of those is reachable through the Permit Center line.10City of Des Moines. Zoning Enforcement
For broader housing matters, including rental assistance, federal housing funds, and neighborhood association coordination, Neighborhood Services is at (515) 283-4100.11City of Des Moines. Neighborhood Services12City of Des Moines. Neighborhood Inspections Division13City of Des Moines. Rental Inspections
Mayor, City Council, and Claims Against the City
To contact a council member, ask about a public hearing, or weigh in on local legislation, call the Mayor and City Council office at (515) 283-4944.14City of Des Moines. Des Moines City Council
The Legal Department’s general line is (515) 283-4130. To file a claim against the city or ask about existing litigation, use the Litigation and Claims division directly at (515) 283-4564. You can request a claim form at that number.15City of Des Moines. Legal Department
Parks, Shelter Rentals, and Animal Services
For park shelter and facility rentals across the city’s park system, Parks and Recreation handles reservations at (515) 237-1386.16City of Des Moines. Parks Facility Rental Guide
Dog and cat licenses are managed by the City Clerk. Call (515) 283-4209 to register a pet or pay fees by phone. First-time online registrants who received a mailed notice can call (515) 283-4209, extension 3, to link existing pet records to a new online account.17City of Des Moines. Animal Licensing
For stray animals, animal bites, or other non-emergency animal concerns, call non-emergency dispatch at (515) 283-4811. Animal Services operates out of 1441 Harriet Street. If the situation is dangerous, call 911.18City of Des Moines. Animal Care