CITIZEN WIRE
Des Moines › Jul 13, 2026 meeting › Item 41

The council will require a permit to re-roof homes and businesses starting Jan 1, 2027, and updated the electrical code, by a 6–1 vote.

Des Moines City Council · Jul 13, 2026 · Roll call 26-0851

Passed on first vote (moved by Westergaard, seconded by Barron), then waived the other readings for final passage (roll call 26-0852), each 6–1. Nays: Gatto. Passed 6–1; voting no: Joe Gatto.

How each member voted

OfficialSeatVote
Connie BoesenMayorYes
Carl VossAt-largeYes
Mike SimonsonAt-largeYes
Rob X. BarronWard 1Yes
Linda WestergaardWard 2Yes
Josh MandelbaumWard 3Yes
Joe GattoWard 4No

More from the record

The ordinance amends Chapter 26 of the City Code to require a re-roofing permit for both residential and commercial buildings beginning Jan 1, 2027, and to match recent state changes to the electrical code. Staff estimate $150,000 in permit fees from re-roofing projects. The Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals recommended the changes on June 11, 2026. Staff asked to waive the second and third readings, calling the changes editorial. Council Communication 26-244 (saved copy)

The alternative

No other options were presented in the record.

Money

Who
Homeowners and businesses replacing a roof
How
A re-roofing permit fee. Fee amount: Not in the record. City estimate: $150,000 in fees overall (period not stated).
When
From Jan 1, 2027
Source
Council Communication 26-244 (saved copy)

Rules and rights

Who
Roofing contractors and property owners
How
New permit requirement for re-roofing
When
From Jan 1, 2027
Source
Council Communication 26-244 (saved copy)

From the official minutes summary: all seven members were present (roll call 26-0807) and only Nays are named, so the rest voted yes.

Source Agenda for the whole meeting, item 41 (saved copy) · Full minutes for the whole Jul 13, 2026 meeting, p. 9 (roll call 26-0851 and 26-0852) (saved copy) · Council Communication 26-244 (saved copy)

What you can do

Have your say

Public comment: use the city’s Request to Speak form before 5 PM CT the day before a meeting.
Written comment: City Clerk, cityclerk@dmgov.org, (515) 283-4209. Mention roll call 26-0851.

Meetings page (saved copy) ·

Contact your officials

Write a letter

Contacts: City Council page (saved copy)

Get email alerts

A short email when the places you follow post new decisions, with links to the official record.

Sign up
6 · Sources

Corrections appear here as dated notes. Nothing is rewritten.