City of Des Moines Annexation


Annexation Ward Map - Annexation Update - Annexation FAQ

2005 Information for Involuntary Annexation Petition



City Welcomes Residents in Annexed Areas

The City of Des Moines welcomes approximately 868 new residents who live in areas involuntarily annexed by the City as of June 26, 2009. The new net acreage being added to Des Moines is 5,174 acres in Polk and Warren counties.

The amended involuntary annexation petition included 5,933 acres of land as of July 13, 2005. Since that time, 759 of those acres were voluntarily annexed into the City at the property owners’ request. The annexed land has an assessed value of approximately $61 million.

Each of the city’s four council wards will expand as a result of the annexation, with biggest gain in land being in Ward 4, in south Des Moines represented by Brian Meyer.

Ward 1 – 8 acres
Ward 2 – 1,846 acres
Ward 3 – 427 acres
Ward 4 – 3,652 acres
TOTAL – 5,933 acres






The new residents are learning about the City services and programs that will be available to them. City staff held meetings with the new residents in May to inform them of the services provided by the City.

Residents in the annexed areas can look forward to lower rates for water and solid waste collection services. Des Moines fire and police protection and many other services will be available to these areas.

Becoming a Des Moines resident also means there are some new regulations to abide by in City ordinances that cover everything from the regulation of pets and other animals to minimum standards for buildings and other structures, to the storage and disposal of trash and solid wastes. To help with the transition the City sent information packets to each household.

The City will certify taxes upon the newly annexed areas in March of 2010, for collection in FY 2010/11. The first installment of City taxes will be due September 30, 2010.

Improvements to infrastructure in the area will gradually be added to the city’s Capital Improvement Budget. New development opportunities projected during the next 20 years within the annexation areas include 2,550 single-family units, 2,050 multi-family units and 220 acres of office space/business parks.

Questions regarding the annexation can be sent to the city via email at annexation@dmgov.org


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