Iowa Snow Shoveling Deadline Checker

Check with the city
We couldn't confirm this city's sidewalk rule on an official source. Check with the city before relying on a deadline.

Not stated in our source.

City Code - City of Adel
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after the weather event ends.

The city may serve notice; if the walk isn't cleared within 12 hours of the notice, the city may clear it and assess the cost.

Homeowner Responsibilities - City of Altoona
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after the snow stops falling.

Fines may be issued (the city's page doesn't list an amount).

Snow & Ice Control - City of Ankeny
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of the snowfall.

Owners who don't clear their walks can be cited (City Code 7-2-6).

Winter Sidewalk Maintenance - City of Clive
Checked 2026-10-22

48 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 48 hours after the snowfall ends.

$75 administrative penalty for a first offense, with larger penalties for repeat violations over three years.

Sidewalk Snow Removal - City of Des Moines
Checked 2026-10-22

No set deadline; city may act after 24 hours
Our source doesn't state an exact owner deadline. The city may step in after 24 hours after the snow or ice ends, so clear it as soon as you can.

Clear promptly. If not cleared within 24 hours after the snow or ice ends, the city may do it and assess the cost, collected like a property tax.

Snow & Ice Removal - City of Grimes
Checked 2026-10-22

48 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 48 hours (the city says "within 48 hours").

The city says "within 48 hours" but doesn't say when the clock starts; we assume it's when the snow stops.

The city may clear it without notice and bill the owner; owners may be liable for damages.

Winter Weather Reminders - City of Indianola
Checked 2026-10-22

48 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 48 hours after a snowfall.

A fine may be issued (amount not listed on the city's page).

Snow Removal - City of Johnston
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after a snowfall ends.

First a door hanger. If the walk still isn't cleared 24 hours later, the owner may be cited and the city may do the work and assess the cost.

Snow & Ice Control - City of Urbandale
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after the storm ends.

No penalty until 12 hours after a city warning. City Code Chapter 218 lists civil penalties of $50 (first offense), $100 (second) and up to $750 after that. If snow remains ten daylight hours after the storm, the city may remove it after reasonable notice and assess the actual cost.

Sidewalk Snow Removal - City of Waukee
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after a storm ends.

The city's page doesn't list a fine. Report an unshoveled walk to Community Compliance, 515-222-3480.

Snow and Ice Removal - City of West Des Moines
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after a snow or ice storm.

$35 civil citation. If the city has to clear it, the city FAQ lists an initial abatement fee of $313, subject to the scope of work.

Snow on Sidewalks FAQ - City of Cedar Rapids
Checked 2026-10-22

No set deadline; city may act after 48 hours
Our source doesn't state an exact owner deadline. The city may step in after 48 hours after the snow stops falling or the ice forms, so clear it as soon as you can.

The city asks for clearing within a reasonable amount of time. Its snow and ice policy says it may remove snow left more than 48 hours and assess the costs plus a filing fee.

Snow and Ice Control Program Policy (2021) - City of Clinton
Checked 2026-10-22

Davenport: 10 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 10 hours after the snowfall ends.

Bettendorf: No set deadline; city may act after 48 hours
Our source doesn't state an exact owner deadline. The city may step in after 48 hours, so clear it as soon as you can.

Davenport: The city generally doesn't inspect until 2 days after an event unless there's a complaint.

Bettendorf: If snow or ice stays more than 48 hours, the city may remove it and assess the actual cost (at least $40/hour snow blower, $35/hour shovel, $35/hour ice chopper) plus a $75 administrative fee.

Sidewalks, Driveways, and Snow FAQ - City of Davenport
Homeowner Responsibilities - City of Bettendorf
Checked 2026-10-22

48 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 48 hours after the snow event (the city says to start immediately after the snowfall ends).

After a verified complaint, a city contractor clears it and the owner is billed an hourly fee plus materials and an administrative fee. Blowing or shoveling snow into the street: civil penalty up to $750 plus court costs.

Sidewalk Snow Removal - City of Dubuque
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours (snow or ice may not stay more than 24 hours).

After 24 hours the city may remove it and bill you; unpaid costs can be assessed like a property tax. Violations are a municipal infraction.

City Code 16-1A-8 - City of Iowa City
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after the weather event ends.

The city may notify the owner, remove the snow and ice, and assess the cost.

Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal - City of Muscatine
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after the snow or ice event ends.

The code allows a civil citation. If the city clears it after notice, the owner pays the actual cost plus a $75 administrative cost per occurrence. The director may extend the time in extraordinary weather.

Code of Ordinances 136.03 - City of Carroll
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours of a snowfall.

Our only city source is an archived 2019 city notice. Check with the city for the current rule.

Our source doesn't list a fine. Complaints go to the Public Works Right-of-Way office, (712) 890-5296.

Sidewalk Snow Removal notice (archived, 2019) - City of Council Bluffs
Checked 2026-10-22

Promptly (no set hours)
The rule says to clear it promptly, without a set number of hours. Check with the city if you need an exact deadline.

If not removed within a reasonable time, the city may remove it and assess the cost.

City Code 820.6 - City of Estherville
Checked 2026-10-22

48 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 48 hours (the code says "within forty-eight (48) hours").

The code says "within forty-eight (48) hours" but doesn't say when the clock starts; we assume it's when the snow stops.

Residential sidewalks at the back of the curb are exempt. If not removed within a reasonable time, the city may begin nuisance abatement.

Chapter 136 Sidewalk Regulations - City of Le Mars
Checked 2026-10-22

Arnolds Park: Promptly (no set hours)
The rule says to clear it promptly, without a set number of hours. Check with the city if you need an exact deadline.

Okoboji: Check with the city
We couldn't confirm this city's sidewalk rule on an official source. Check with the city before relying on a deadline.

Arnolds Park: If not removed within a reasonable time, the city may do it and assess the cost.

Chapter 136 - City of Arnolds Park
Ordinances - City of Okoboji
Checked 2026-10-22

12 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 12 hours following a snow event.

If snow or ice stays more than 24 hours, the city may remove it at the owner's cost.

Sidewalk Snow - City of Sioux City
Checked 2026-10-22

Spencer (most of the city): 24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours from the end of the snowfall.

Spencer Downtown Commercial District: 12 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 12 hours from the end of the snowfall.

Spencer (most of the city): The city may remove it and assess the cost plus an administrative fee.

Spencer Downtown Commercial District: The city may remove it and assess the cost plus an administrative fee.

Code § 95.110 - City of Spencer
Checked 2026-10-22

No set deadline; city may act after 18 hours
Our source doesn't state an exact owner deadline. The city may step in after 18 hours after the end of the snow or ice event, so clear it as soon as you can.

Clear promptly. If not removed within 18 hours, the city may do it and assess the cost like a property tax.

Chapter 136 - City of Spirit Lake
Checked 2026-10-22

72 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 72 hours of a snow or ice event.

Violations can be a municipal infraction.

Winter Regulations & Programs - City of Storm Lake
Checked 2026-10-22

10 daylight hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 10 daylight hours from the last accumulation.

After a report, the walk is posted with a 24-hour notice. If it still isn't cleared, a contractor clears it and the owner pays the actual cost plus a $50 administrative fee.

Snow Removal - City of Ames
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours following a snow event.

Don't push snow into the street, alley or a parking lot.

Snow Removal FAQs - City of Decorah
Checked 2026-10-22

Check with the city
We couldn't confirm this city's sidewalk rule on an official source. Check with the city before relying on a deadline.

Not stated in our source.

City of Fort Dodge
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after precipitation stops.

Includes curb cuts and ramps. Otherwise the city or its contractor may do the work and bill the owner.

Snow and Ice Control - City of Marshalltown
Checked 2026-10-22

No set deadline; city may act after 48 hours
Our source doesn't state an exact owner deadline. The city may step in after 48 hours after the last snow or wind event, so clear it as soon as you can.

This is when the city takes complaints, from its services page, not the ordinance text. Check with the city.

The city's services page says to report uncleared sidewalks to Code Enforcement (641-421-3380) 48 hours after the last snow or wind event. We couldn't read the ordinance itself.

City Services - City of Mason City
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after snowfall stops.

An uncleared walk can lead to a nuisance complaint, with charges levied against the property.

Snow Removal - City of Newton
Checked 2026-10-22

Waterloo: near schools, hospitals and downtown: 24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours (2 inches or more; within 3 blocks of schools and hospitals, and in the Downtown Business District).

Waterloo: everywhere else: 48 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 48 hours (2 inches or more; rest of the city).

Cedar Falls: 48 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 48 hours of the end of a weather event.

Waterloo: near schools, hospitals and downtown: Downtown, also apply salt or an abrasive. The deadline doesn't restart when new snow falls.

Waterloo: everywhere else: The deadline doesn't restart when new snow falls (city code 7-1-2).

Cedar Falls: Clear the full width, including rear sidewalks and corner ramps.

Snow and Ice Control - City of Waterloo
Clearing Sidewalks - City of Cedar Falls
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after a storm.

On a complaint, the city may clear it and bill the owner. Don't push snow into the street.

Snow Removal - City of Burlington
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours of snowfall.

This comes from the city's vacant-property standards, not a sidewalk snow page. Check with the city.

We found this in the city's vacant-property standards, not a sidewalk page; confirm with the city.

Vacant Property Registration Form - City of Keokuk
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours after a storm.

On a complaint, the city may clear it and bill the owner.

Snow Removal - City of Oskaloosa
Checked 2026-10-22

Check with the city
We couldn't confirm this city's sidewalk rule on an official source. Check with the city before relying on a deadline.

Not stated in our source.

Snow Removal - City of Ottumwa Public Works
Checked 2026-10-22

24 hours
Clear the public sidewalk within 24 hours.

This comes from the city's Code Enforcement page, not the ordinance text. Check with the city.

The city's Code Enforcement page lists sidewalks not cleared within 24 hours among the issues it handles (641.628.0043 ext. 4). We couldn't read the full ordinance.

Code Enforcement - City of Pella
Checked 2026-10-22