Des Moines staff propose loosening right-of-way rules to allow small landscaping features, carriage walks

Steve Nabor, Des Moines city engineer, presented draft revisions to section 102.2 of the municipal code governing the border area (the strip between the roadway and private property line) and answered council questions on proposed allowances, permitting and restoration responsibilities.

The proposed changes would allow limited landscaping elements in the border area for single-family and two-family homes. Nabor described the staff approach as balancing public-use safety in the right of way with homeowners’ ability to install modest landscaping: “The border area is typically…between the street and the right of way,” he said, and the city was directed to review the code and return with revisions.

What would be allowed (staff proposal)

- Landscaping ground cover: small gravel or river rock less than 2 inches in diameter and other ground cover (mulch) would be allowed in the border area for single- and two-dwelling properties; large stacked boulders would remain prohibited.

- Landscaping edging: one row of brick or landscaping block at a single level…