This chapter shall apply to the following zoning districts, which are zones predominantly for residential use in Des Moines:
(1) 
R-SE: Suburban Estate Zone;
(2) 
R-SR: Suburban Residential Zone;
(3) 
Single-Family Residential (SFR) Zones designated as: RS-15,000; RS-9, 600; RS-8,400; RS-7,200; and RS-4,000;
(4) 
RA-3,600: Attached Townhouse and Duplex 3,600 Zone;
(5) 
RM-2,400: Multifamily 2,400 Zone.
(Ord. 1841, 1/22/2026)
Residential lot splits are an administrative process for splitting an existing residential lot into no more than two lots to facilitate the creation of middle housing or single family housing. Residential lot splits may be combined with concurrent review of a residential building permit to create new middle housing or single family housing.
(Ord. 1841, 1/22/2026)
(1) 
A proposed lot split may be conditioned upon dedication of a right-of-way on the parent lot to the extent such dedication is required under applicable codes, regulations, and design standards for the development, short plat, or subdivision of the parent lot absent an administrative lot split;
(2) 
Development of dwelling units on the newly created lot may be conditioned upon construction of frontage improvements to a right-of-way adjacent to either the parent lot or the newly created lot to the extent required under applicable codes, regulations, and design standards.
(3) 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, lots that are not buildable according to adopted development regulations including, but not limited to, critical areas, shorelines, stormwater, setbacks, impervious surface areas, and building coverage standards are not eligible for a lot split.
(4) 
If a lot split results in a lot of a size that would allow for further land division, the lot is not eligible for a lot split but may be divided under other applicable land subdivision processes.
(Ord. 1841, 1/22/2026)
A new buildable residential lot created through a lot split and residential building permit or permits must be administratively approved and are not subject to administrative appeal if they comply with applicable development standards and the following conditions are met:
(1) 
No more than one newly created lot is created through the administrative lot split;
(2) 
Both the parent lot and the newly created lot meet the minimum lot size allowed under applicable development regulations;
(3) 
The parent lot was not created through the splitting of a residential lot authorized by this section;
(4) 
The parent lot is located in a residential zone and not in an exclusively nonresidential zone including, but not limited to, zones that are exclusively commercial, retail, agricultural, or industrial;
(5) 
If the lot split would require demolition or alteration of any existing housing that would displace a renter, the applicant must recommend a displacement mitigation strategy that may include, but is not limited to, relocation assistance;
(6) 
The applicable sewer and water purveyors have issued certificates of availability to serve the newly created lot and dwelling units;
(7) 
Access and utility rights are granted or conveyed as necessary on or before recording of the lot split survey to provide access for the maximum number of dwelling units that could be developed on the newly created lot, provided such access rights may be reduced consistent with the City's adopted codes, regulations, or design standards as applicable through review of a subsequent application for a building permit, short subdivision, unit lot subdivision, subdivision application, or short subdivision if less than the maximum number of dwelling units are built on the newly created lot;
(8) 
The Director or other designee determines that the application follows all applicable development regulations; and
(9) 
The lot split survey has been approved by the Director or other designee and includes a condition on the face of the survey that further lot splits of the parent lot and newly created lot are not authorized by this section.
(10) 
The title of the lot split survey shall include the phrase "lot split."
(Ord. 1841, 1/22/2026)
(1) 
The owner of the subject property or the authorized agent(s) of the owner may apply for a lot split by submitting to the Community Development Department all of the information specified in DMMC § 17.40.110, Application materials - Lot line adjustments.
(2) 
Within 14 days of issuing a notice of complete application in response to a lot splitting application, the Planning Official shall distribute a notice of application and request for comments. The request for comments shall contain a copy of the proposed lot split plan. The notice of application and request for comments shall be distributed to interested departments and affected agencies including, but not limited to, the Community Development Director, Public Works Director and Fire Department. The Planning Department shall consider all comments and information regarding the proposed lot split that are delivered to the Community Development Department within 15 days of the date of distribution. The Planning Official may extend the deadline for comments if he/she determines that an extension is necessary to obtain information relevant to the application.
(3) 
Within 30 days of the date of the notice of complete application, the Community Development Director shall approve, disapprove, or return to the applicant for modifications the requested lot split. In making a decision, the Director shall make appropriate findings of fact in writing. Following a decision, the Planning Official shall issue a notice of decision.
(4) 
If an application for a lot split is disapproved by the Community Development Director, the applicant may appeal such disapproval to the Hearing Examiner. Any such appeal shall be brought within 10 days of such disapproval and in accordance with the hearing examiner code.
(Ord. 1841, 1/22/2026)
(1) 
The applicant shall submit to the Community Development Department, together with required recording fees, a final lot split survey meeting the requirements of this title and the lot split approval. The submittal shall occur within 120 days following the date the lot split is approved or the lot split approval shall be deemed void and any development rights that have vested in the applicant shall be considered abandoned.
(2) 
The final lot split survey shall be prepared by a registered land surveyor, and shall be drawn on a standard 18-by-24-inch mylar at a scale of one inch equals 50 feet unless otherwise approved by the Planning Official. The final lot split survey shall contain language that property deeds consistent with the lot split shall be recorded with the County Auditor within 270 days of the date the lot line adjustment is recorded or the lot line adjustment shall be null and void.
(3) 
The lot corners shall be set on the applicant's property by a registered land surveyor using appropriate permanent materials.
(4) 
If the lot split survey complies with the approved lot split and all requirements of this title, the Community Development Director and Public Works Director shall sign the approved lot split survey.
(5) 
Within 15 days of the date the applicant submits a final lot split survey, the Planning Official shall transmit the approved lot split for recording with the County Auditor.
(Ord. 1841, 1/22/2026)