The City of Des Moines established the ordinance for local historic districts to recognize significant neighborhoods and to insure that those neighborhoods retain their architectural integrity. A Historic District Commission was created in 1982 to review exterior alterations to properties located in designated local historic districts and to give advise to the City Council on historic preservation. The design review component is based on guidelines for reviewing rehabilitation, demolition and new construction.

Des Moines' local historic districts are:

1. Owl's Head

2. Sherman Hill