Red light cameras in Des Moines operate at five intersections, and running a red in front of one gets you a $100 civil fine in the mail. The ticket goes to the vehicle’s registered owner, not the driver, and because it’s a civil penalty rather than a moving violation, it does not add points to your Iowa license and generally won’t reach your insurance company.
Where the Red Light Cameras Are
The city runs fixed cameras at five intersections, and each one watches a single direction of travel:
- East 15th Street and Maple Street, northbound
- 19th Street and University Avenue, northbound
- Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and School Street, eastbound
- SE 5th Street and Army Post Road, eastbound
- 9th Street and Grand Avenue, southbound
Each camera photographs vehicles that enter the intersection after the light has turned red.1City of Des Moines. Red Light and Speed Camera Information and FAQ
State law also requires permanent warning signs posted between 500 and 1,000 feet ahead of any fixed camera along the approach.2Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code 321P.5 – Notice, Signage and Reports If you see a camera sign but no camera at one of those five intersections, you may be approaching a Des Moines speed camera instead, which is a separate program run under state permit at 13 other corridors around the city.
The Fine and Your Driving Record
A red light camera citation in Des Moines is a $100 civil fine. The city raised the amount from $65 in 2024.
Because the citation is civil rather than criminal, the Iowa DOT does not put points on your license for it, and insurance companies generally don’t learn about it. The violation is treated as a debt owed by the vehicle’s registered owner to the city, not as a moving violation under the state traffic code.3Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code Chapter 321P – Automated or Remote Systems for Traffic Law Enforcement Your driving history stays clean regardless of how many camera tickets you collect.
Who’s Responsible When Someone Else Was Driving
The ticket goes to whoever holds legal title to the car, even if a friend, family member, or coworker was behind the wheel. On a leased vehicle, the lessee is treated as the owner. On a financed vehicle, the debtor with possession rights is the owner for citation purposes.4Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code 321P.7 – Liability for Violations Detected
You aren’t stuck with the fine if you weren’t driving. Iowa law requires the city to give you a chance to prove it. You submit evidence that you weren’t operating the vehicle at the time along with the name and address of the person who was. If the city accepts what you provide, it can amend the citation and reissue it to the actual driver.4Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code 321P.7 – Liability for Violations Detected
How to Pay or Contest the Ticket
The mailed citation includes payment and appeal instructions specific to your ticket, along with a unique citation number, a timestamp, and images of your vehicle. Des Moines routes automated traffic ticket payments through viewcitation.com, where you can also view the images and video for your violation. If you’ve lost the ticket or need help, the city runs a dedicated line at 1-855-370-4229.5City of Des Moines. Online Payment System
To contest, follow the appeal instructions on the citation itself. The process is administrative, not criminal, so you won’t appear in traffic court in front of a judge. Instead, you typically request a hearing with a hearing officer who reviews the camera evidence and makes a determination. Watch the deadline printed on your ticket, because missing it can limit your ability to fight the fine.
What Happens If You Ignore It
An unpaid camera ticket doesn’t quietly go away. Since it’s a civil debt owed to the city, Des Moines has collection tools beyond mailing reminders.
Iowa runs a State Setoff Program that lets cities and other public agencies intercept your state income tax refund to satisfy delinquent debts. Des Moines is eligible to participate. Once your ticket has been classified as delinquent, the city can submit it, and the state will withhold the amount from your next Iowa refund. Federal refunds are not affected.6Department of Revenue. State of Iowa Setoff Program
The city can also send unpaid citations to collections. That creates its own set of problems even though the underlying ticket never shows up on your driving record. Any late fees or added penalties depend on the terms printed on your specific citation.