Business Licenses
The City Clerk's Office is responsible for issuing for the following business permits.
Beer and Liquor Permits - Liquor License Renewal Application
Cigarette Permits -
Coin Operated Machine Permits -
Dog/Cat Licenses -
Going-out-of-Business Permits -
Haunted House Permits -
Liquor Permits - Liquor License Renewal Application
Paint Address on Curb Permits -
Pawn Shop Permits -
Peddler Permits -
Salvage Dealer Permits -
Snow Hauler Permits -
Soliciting Funds Permits -
Solid Waste Hauler Permits -
Theater Permits -
Transient Merchant Permits -
Animal License
All dogs and cats 6 months old and over must be licensed. Dog and Cat Licenses are due January 1st of each year. Additional penalty fee is added to Dog and Cat Licenses after March 31. For additional information, please email us or call us (515) 283-4209.
Payment can be made at the City Clerk's Office located at 400 E. Court Avenue Ste. 116, Des Moines, Iowa, 50309. We are here to serve you Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. For your convenience you may complete the forms below and mail or return them to the Clerk's Office. Methods of payment accepted are cash, check, Visa and MasterCard.
New this year, while purchasing your license, dog owners can also get annual Dog Park Permits which are available for $20 each. For more information on Ewing and Riverwalk Dog Parks,
click here.
Don't forget, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa has many animals available for adoption. Visit one of these locations:
ARL Southridge Mall ARL
1111 E. Army Post Road 5452 NE 22nd Street
Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines, Iowa
(515) 285-9870 (515) 262-9503
ARL PetSmart
1420 22nd Street 1715 Delaware
West Des Moines, Iowa Ankeny, Iowa
(515) 440-0979 (515) 289-0667
Liquor License Renewal and New Application Process
A number of City inspections will be required to determine your eligibility to hold or to renew a liquor license. These inspections will take at least 30 days to complete. Please assist us by forwarding all applicable forms and paperwork in a timely manner.
Once you have submitted an online application and all other applicable paperwork to the City Clerk’s Office, a criminal and financial background investigation will take place. When this has been completed, and the premise has been inspected and approved, the application will be presented to the Des Moines City Council. The City Council will then determine whether the applicant is eligible to hold a liquor license in the City of Des Moines.
You will be notified in writing should the City Council deny your liquor license application. Otherwise, you may call the Des Moines City Clerk’s Office to confirm the approval of your application.
Forms and Additional Information
Liquor License Renewal Application
New Liquor License Application Process
Diagram for Liquor License
Contact Info
Des Moines Police Department Vice Coordinator
Police Department
106 E 1st Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 283-4830 or (515) 237-1446
City Clerk's Office
400 E. Court Avenue Ste. 116
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 283-4209 option 4
Street Use Permits and Street Event Closure Procedure
In order to guarantee a safe and fun event, please apply at City Manager's Office, 2nd Floor, 400 E. Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309, at least 30 days prior to the event. For assistance contact the City Manager's Office by
email or by calling us at (515) 283-4141.
Residential Street Use
Non-Residential Street Use
Non-Residential Street Use Instructions and Application - Print & Complete Form