DES MOINES, Iowa — Only one speed camera will be in operation in Des Moines until the city complies with a new state law regulating the use of the cameras.

Back in May of 2024, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law House File 2681. It required cities who wanted to use speed cameras to apply to the Iowa Department of Transportation for a permit to operate an automated traffic enforcement system and provide traffic and safety data to back up why they were needed. The legislation also standardized the fines for speeding.

The Des Moines Police Department said, on Tuesday, the City of Des Moines’ permit was approved by the DOT. However, not all of the locations the city applied for were permitted.

Previously, the city had three fixed/stationary speed cameras, but only the camera in the 4700 block of eastbound I-235 was approved by the DOT — and it remains in operation.

The cameras at 9th St. and Grand Ave., and in the 1400 block of Grand Ave. were not approved. Sgt. Paul Parizek, the spokesperson of the Des Moines Police Department, said speed enforcement stopped at those locations at 4:00 p.m. on September 30th. He said the city is exploring a possible appeal to the DOT’s decision on those cameras.

Several other speed camera locations were approved and Sgt. Parizek said they are where mobile units will be deployed. The department has three mobile speed cameras.

Approved automated speed enforcement camera locations:

1800 blk Fleur Dr, NB & SB

300 blk E. McKinley Ave, EB & WB

2800 blk Indianola Ave, EB & WB

1700 blk Park Ave, EB & WB

1600 blk E. University Ave, EB & WB

2200 blk E. 29th St, NB & SB

4800 blk Hickman Rd, EB & WB

1000 blk SE 14th St, NB & SB

2900 blk 6th Ave, NB & SB

3100 blk MLK, Jr Pkwy, NB & SB

While the permit would allow the city to place stationary cameras at the locations, Sgt. Parizek said there aren’t plans for that to happen.

While the city works to comply with the new state law, which requires signs to be put up on every road that enters Des Moines, the mobile cameras won’t be deployed. Once the signs are up, Sgt. Parizek said police will provide a 30-day notice before resuming automated speed enforcement at the approved locations.

The fines for a speed camera ticket, according to state law, are:

$75 for driving 11-20 miles per hour above the speed limit

$100 for driving 21-25 miles per hour above the speed limit

$250 for driving 26-30 miles per hour above the speed limit

$500 for driving more than 30 miles per hour above the speed limit