Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Des Moines, IA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a plumbing contractor in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Verified 2026-09-03 5 stops $400–$1,200 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Iowa

1 stop

  1. Iowa Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Iowa. The state rate is 6%, and local option sales tax of up to 1% may apply. Iowa taxes about 75 enumerated services, so check whether your service is taxable before assuming you need a permit. Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue online.

    Official government source

    Free — no fee to register for a sales tax permitRegister online through GovConnectIowa, the state's tax portal

City of Des Moines / Polk County

3 stops

  1. Iowa DIAL — Plumbing Contractor License

    Plumbing contractors in Iowa must hold a Contractor License administered by the Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board within the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (formerly the Iowa Division of Labor). A Master Plumber must be on staff, applicants must pass the state exam, and a contractor license is issued together with a contractor registration in a single application.

    Official government source

    $400 for a full three-year cycle ($250 contractor license + $150 contractor registration), prorated for mid-cycle applicants; master $240 and journeyperson $180 per cycleLicenses run in three-year cycles ending June 30; renew on time — late fees begin August 1 and work must stop September 1 if unrenewed

  2. No Des Moines General Business License Required

    Des Moines has no general or blanket business license, and the Development Services Department does not issue one. The City Clerk's Office licenses only specific regulated activities - alcohol, tobacco, transient merchants, mobile food vendors, peddlers, pawnbrokers, theaters, coin-operated machines, solid waste haulers and similar categories. Most businesses need nothing from the Clerk. What a commercial tenant does need is a Certificate of Occupancy for the space, issued by the Permit and Development Center, and home-based businesses go through home occupation review with Zoning Enforcement.

    Official government source

    Nothing - there is no such license. A commercial Certificate of Occupancy is $51.50Not applicable

  3. Des Moines Plumbing Permit (per project)

    Each plumbing job in Des Moines needs its own permit from the Permit and Development Center, and inspections are required as the work progresses and at completion. Permits are pulled by the licensed plumbing contractor. Polk County does not issue permits for work inside the city limits.

    Official government source

    Commercial jobs: $77.25 base fee plus unit fees (for example $7.75 per domestic water service and $1.75 per fixture opening). Residential: $206.00 for plumbing in a new dwelling, $77.25 for alterations and additions or for sewer and water services onlyStraightforward trade permits are typically issued within about a week; inspections are scheduled as the work proceeds

Terminus

Open for business — est. $400–$1,200 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all licenses

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Official Sources

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