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Des Moines moves to implement state co‑living law; draft forwarded to second reading
Summary
In response to state HB 1998, council advanced a draft ordinance to permit co‑living housing in select multifamily zones, establishing definitions, minimum parking (0.25 spaces per sleeping unit) and building‑code review similar to boarding houses.
The Des Moines City Council on Nov. 13 passed to a second reading a draft ordinance implementing HB 1998 by adding co‑living housing as a permitted multifamily use in specified zones.
Alicia Jacobs, a land‑use planner, summarized the state mandate and the draft code: co‑living housing consists of lockable sleeping units that share kitchen facilities; the draft adds definitions, allows co‑living in 12 zones (excluding single‑family zones), and sets a minimum parking requirement of 0.25 off‑street spaces per sleeping unit (with no off‑street parking required within a half‑mile of a major transit stop). Jacobs said co‑living would be processed with the same notice/review requirements that apply to similar multifamily uses and that building‑code checks would treat co‑living similar to boarding houses or single‑room occupancies for safety.
Council members asked whether conversions or new builds are expected; staff said there has been no interest outreach yet and that conversion impacts are building‑specific and would require plan review. The council voted 7‑0 to send the ordinance to a second reading on Dec. 4.
Why it matters: the ordinance brings the city into compliance with state law aimed at expanding housing forms and could enable lower‑cost shared housing options near transit and in multifamily zones.
