Des Moines homeowners now have more freedom to turn otherwise plain border areas into creative, functional landscapes. With new rule changes approved June 30, residents can install features like carriage walks, edging, and retaining walls, transforming curbside zones into vibrant extensions of their yard.

Design Opportunities Under the New Rules

The City Council’s updates mean border areas can now include:

  • Mulch & small rock accents for clean, low-maintenance groundcover.

  • Defined edging with brick, block, or concrete for polished borders.

  • Carriage walks—paved paths from curb to yard—adding charm and accessibility.

  • Retaining walls for erosion control and layered landscaping.

Blending Creativity with Safety

While the updates expand design potential, safety remains a priority. Vision clearance rules are still in place to ensure plants or features don’t block intersections or pedestrian crossings.

What Stays in Place

Border areas remain open to turf grass, flowers, and shrubs—under certain height limits—with restrictions on weeds and obstructions. This balance of rules helps ensure creativity can flourish without compromising visibility or utility access.

Practical Considerations

  • Property owners must maintain border areas, just like sidewalks.

  • Landscaping is subject to complaint-based enforcement.

  • If city crews dig for utilities, only turf grass will be restored afterward.

Why This Is Exciting

These changes encourage residents to view the space between curb and yard as a canvas for creative landscaping. Whether adding pollinator-friendly flowers, defining borders with edging, or creating accessible walking paths, the rules now allow a more artistic, sustainable, and functional use of public right-of-way space.