Parking on the Capitol Complex is managed by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) per Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) parking rules. Parking on the Capitol Complex is enforced by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Iowa State Patrol, Post 16.
Parking Locations
The Capitol Complex Parking Map identifies available parking locations.
Parking Permits/Assignments
- Carpool/Vanpool Parking – DAS, General Services Enterprise, issues employee carpool/vanpool permits for reserved parking spaces on the Capitol Complex. Visit the commuter resource webpage for information and applications.
- Employee Parking – DAS, Human Resources Enterprise, issues parking decals for employees with personal offices in state office buildings on the Capitol Complex, with the exception of employees with personal offices in the Capitol and Ola Babcock Miller Buildings. Visit the Capitol Complex Building Access and Parking Permit information page or contact your agency Access Coordinator or a Human Resource Associate (HRA) for a decal application. Legislative branch employees must register with the Chief Clerk of the Iowa House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Iowa Senate for a parking permit.
- Temporary Parking – Permission for temporary parking for special circumstances must be obtained by contacting the Iowa State Patrol, Post 16 at 515-281-5608. This may include:
- A new employee.
- An employee parking a vehicle without a decal.
- A driver needing to load or unload outside of the designated delivery areas.
Enforcement/Parking Citations
- Parking Rules are enforced by the Department of Public Safety, Iowa State Patrol, Post 16
- The Iowa State Patrol, Post 16 issues parking citations to employees parking in visitor areas, visitors parking in employee areas, and anyone parking in restricted areas without proper approval.
- Fines are assessed per IAC 101.12 - $10 for each parking violation, except those pertaining to persons with disabilities parking, which is subject to fines pursuant to Iowa Code section 321L.4(2). The fine is increased by $10 for each outstanding violation not paid within 30 days of the citation date. Individuals with parking citation(s) unpaid after 30 days are subject to having their parked vehicle towed and may be prohibited from parking on the Capitol Complex.
- Individuals with six or more parking citations issued in the last 12 months, regardless of whether parking citations were paid in a timely manner, may be prohibited from parking and/or towed from the Capitol Complex.
- DAS Finance collects parking citation fines in the Hoover Building, 1305 E. Walnut, 3rd Floor, Des Moines, IA.
- To appeal a parking citation, fees paid due to the removal or attempted removal of the vehicle, or any other action arising from these rules, the owner/operator must notify the DAS director in writing or via the online Appeal Form within 10 days of the action. Upon such notification, the owner or operator will be provided instructions from the Department of Inspections and Appeals describing the hearing procedure.
Helpful Hints
- Plan Ahead: It may be difficult to locate parking when the Iowa Legislature is in session. If visiting the Complex during this period, allow extra time to locate parking.
- Consider Alternatives:
- Transit: The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus line provides service to the Capitol Complex along Grand Avenue on the north side of the Capitol Building.
- Ridesharing: Caravan by DART is a free, statewide online ride-matching system that connects drivers and riders for carpools, vanpools, transit routes, as well as bike, walk, and transit buddies.
Who to Contact
General Parking Information
Dept. of Administrative Services
General Services Enterprise
515-281-7259
Capitol.Complex.Events@iowa.gov
Parking Citation Payments or Appeals
Dept. of Administrative Services - Finance
Hoover State Office Building, 3rd Floor
1305 E. Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5062
CustServ.DAS@iowa.gov
Parking Decals
Dept. of Administrative Services
Human Resources Enterprise
Hoover State Office Building, Level A
1305 E. Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5889
DASBadgePark@iowa.gov