Pressure Washing Business Permit Requirements in Des Moines, IA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a pressure washing business in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Verified 2026-09-03 4 stops $150–$500 est. 1–4 weeks
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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

2 stops

  1. 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

  2. Des Moines Stormwater Discharge Compliance (pressure washing)

    Des Moines prohibits discharging anything but clean stormwater to the storm sewer system under its illicit discharge ordinance, enforced by Public Works' Clean Water Program. Pressure washing wastewater carrying detergents, oils, paint, or other contaminants may not run into storm drains, gutters, or waterways — capture it and dispose of it to the sanitary sewer or another approved route. No routine permit or registration is issued for this; compliance is enforced through the ordinance.

    Official government source

    $0 — there is no permit fee; violations carry enforcement penaltiesNo application; comply from your first job and contact the Clean Water Program (515-283-4950) with disposal questions

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$500 · 1–4 weeks

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