Altoona asks homeowners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a weather event ends. If that doesn't happen, the city can serve notice and do the work itself, then assess the cost.
What the City of Altoona says about sidewalks
- Remove snow and ice from the sidewalk adjacent to your property within 24 hours following the end of the weather event.
- The city may serve notice to the property owner; if the walk isn't cleared within 12 hours of the notice, the city can remove the snow and ice and assess the cost to the property.
- The rule is on the city's Community Development "Homeowner Responsibilities" page.
Hiring help in Altoona
If you hire a company, make sure the agreement covers the public sidewalk (and, on a corner lot, the side walk and curb ramps), says how soon they'll come after the snow stops, and matches the city's deadline above. Ask what de-icer they use: Iowa State University Extension says rock salt works best above 15°F and that salt buildup can injure turfgrass, trees and shrubs. Our guide to choosing a snow removal company has a full checklist.
Iowa has no state license for snow removal. For lawn treatments, anyone in the business of applying pesticides (including weed and insect control) to other people's property needs an IDALS commercial applicator license; each listing below shows what we could verify.
Snow removal and lawn care companies in Altoona
6084 NE 22nd St, Des Moines, IA 50313
- Snow removal
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Landscaping
- Grub / insect control
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn care and landscape company with Des Moines and West Des Moines offices; its site lists lawn treatments (fertilization, weed, grub and insect control), mowing and landscaping, plus commercial snow and ice removal.
Service area (their words): Its town pages and service-area list name Greater Des Moines towns including Indianola, Altoona, Adel, Clive, Johnston, Grimes, Ankeny, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines.
Lawn chemicals: no matching IDALS license record found by name (checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-22. Searched 'A+ Lawn', 'A+ Lawn &' and 'A Plus Lawn': the only record was A+ LAWNCARE OF EASTERN IOWA (Marion), expired 2009, which is a different company; no matching record found.
Listing source: https://apluslawn.com/indianola/, https://apluslawn.com/altoona/ (checked 2026-10-22).
- Snow plowing
- Sidewalk & driveway clearing
- Salting / de-icing
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn care company serving Newton since 1998; its site lists lawn care programs, mowing, leaf removal, and residential and commercial snow removal with salt included.
Service area (their words): Its service-area list includes Newton, Altoona, Pella, Grinnell, Colfax and Prairie City.
Lawn chemicals: IDALS license not confirmed by us (checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-22. Searched 'Ag Grow' and 'Ag-Grow': found AG-GROW PLUS LAWN CARE, INC., Newton (Jasper County), license 06074-001, but the listed expiration date is 2025-12-31, so we could not confirm a current license.
Listing source: https://ag-grow.com/, https://ag-grow.com/snow-removal/ (checked 2026-10-22).
10989 NE Hubbell Ave, Maxwell, IA 50161
- Snow removal
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Grub / insect control
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn and landscape company with a Maxwell address; its Altoona page lists lawn treatments, mowing and landscaping, and snow removal.
Service area (their words): Its Altoona page names Altoona, Des Moines, Ankeny, Pleasant Hill and Bondurant.
Lawn chemicals: IDALS license not confirmed by us (checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-22. Searched 'Frontline': found FRONTLINE LAWN & LANDSCAPES, Maxwell (Polk County), license 06506-000, but its expiration date is 2024-12-31, so we could not confirm a current license.
Listing source: https://www.frontlinelawns.com/altoona-ia/ (checked 2026-10-22).
2132 Walnut Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
- Sidewalk & driveway clearing
- Mowing
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Homes
Locally owned yard care company offering mowing, edging, fall cleanup, general yard work and snow removal from driveways, sidewalks and entryways.
Service area (their words): Service area listed: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Johnston, Clive, Waukee, Saylorville, Altoona, Norwalk, Grimes, Cumming, Pleasant Hill, Carlisle and Adel.
How we checked
No fertilizer, weed-control or other lawn-chemical service listed on the pages we checked, so no pesticide license status is shown. Snow removal is not part of Iowa's pesticide licensing.
Listing source: https://gqsmowandsnow.com/, https://gqsmowandsnow.com/service-area/west-des-moines/, https://gqsmowandsnow.com/service-area/urbandale-ia/ (checked 2026-10-22).
1650 NE 104th St, Mitchellville, IA 50169
- Snow plowing
- Salting / de-icing
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Businesses
Lawn care and landscaping company with a Mitchellville address; its site lists mowing, fertilization and weed control, landscaping, and snow plowing and de-icing.
Service area (their words): Its service-area pages name Altoona, Clive, Johnston, Grimes and other Des Moines metro towns.
Lawn chemicals: IDALS company license record found (09532-000, checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-22. Searched 'Iowa Lawn &': found active company license 09532-000, IOWA LAWN & LANDSCAPE, Mitchellville (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://iowalawnandlandscape.com/service-areas/altoona/ (checked 2026-10-22).
802 SE Creekview Drive, Ankeny, IA 50021
- Snow plowing
- Sidewalk & driveway clearing
- Salting / de-icing
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Grub / insect control
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn, irrigation and landscaping company; its residential snow removal page covers driveways, sidewalks, steps and entry paths, plus salting, de-icing and brining, and it also offers commercial snow removal.
Service area (their words): Service areas listed: Ankeny, Des Moines, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Johnston, Waukee, Ames, Altoona, Clive, Grimes, Pleasant Hill, Bondurant, Polk City, Windsor Heights, Adel, Huxley, Saylorville and Elkhart.
Lawn chemicals: IDALS company license record found (09733-000, checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-22. Searched 'Nolte': found active company license 09733-000, NOLTE AND SONS LAWN AND IRRIGATION, Ankeny, expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://nolteandsons.com/services/snow-removal/ (checked 2026-10-22).
- Snow plowing
- Salting / de-icing
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Landscaping
- Homes
- Businesses
Family-owned property services company based in Altoona; its site lists lawn care and landscaping plus snow and ice management.
Service area (their words): Its site says it is a family-owned business based in Altoona, serving Des Moines and surrounding areas.
Lawn chemicals: no matching IDALS license record found by name (checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-22. Searched 'Premier Property': no matching company record found.
Listing source: https://www.premierpropertysolutionsinc.com/ (checked 2026-10-22).
- Sidewalk & driveway clearing
- Salting / de-icing
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn care and landscaping company whose residential snow service includes driveway clearing, sidewalk and entry clearing, optional ice melt and storm monitoring, plus HOA and commercial snow removal.
Service area (their words): Service areas listed: West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive, Urbandale, Johnston, Grimes, Ankeny, Norwalk, Cumming, Adel, Altoona and surrounding communities.
Lawn chemicals: IDALS company license record found (11097-001, checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
IDALS pesticide company lookup (https://agriculture-iowa.my.salesforce-sites.com/lookup), 'Search By Company/License', searched by company name on 2026-10-22. Searched 'Green Guys': found active company license 11097-001, The Green Guys Landscaping, LLC, Waukee, expiration 2026-12-31.
Listing source: https://www.greenguysia.com/residential-snow-removal, https://www.greenguysia.com/ (checked 2026-10-22).
See all 90 listed companies by town →
Listings are informational, not endorsements or rankings, and no company paid to be listed. Details come from each company’s own website. For fertilizer or weed control, check the company’s Iowa pesticide license with IDALS. We don’t show a license status for snow removal. Companies can request a correction or removal.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to clear my sidewalk in Altoona?
Within 24 hours after the weather event ends, according to the City of Altoona's homeowner responsibilities page. After a notice, you have 12 hours before the city may do it and assess the cost.
Does a lawn care company in Altoona need a license?
Not for snow removal or mowing: Iowa has no state license for those. A company that applies fertilizer with weed control, insect control or other pesticides to your lawn needs an IDALS commercial applicator license. Each listing on this page says whether we found a matching, unexpired company record.
Guides for Altoona homeowners
- Hiring helpHow to Choose a Snow Removal Company in IowaPer-push vs. seasonal snow removal, what to get in writing, red flags from the Iowa Attorney General, and why snow removal needs no state license in Iowa.Read the guide →
- Lawn careHow to Protect Your Lawn From Salt Damage This WinterHow de-icing salt hurts Iowa lawns and shrubs, which ice melts do less damage, how much to use, and how to flush salt in spring, from ISU Extension.Read the guide →
- Lawn careHow to Winterize Your Lawn in IowaISU Extension's fall lawn calendar for Iowa: final mowing height, when to stop mowing, late-fall fertilizer, broadleaf weeds, leaves and snow mold.Read the guide →
- Snow removalSnow Removal in Des Moines: Sidewalk Rules, Plowing and Getting HelpDes Moines sidewalk snow rules from the city: the 48-hour deadline, penalties, parking during plowing, salt tips and local snow removal companies.Read the guide →
- Snow removalSnow Removal in Waukee: The 24-Hour Rule, Parking Ban and Local HelpWaukee's 24-hour sidewalk snow rule, the snow emergency parking ban, fines in city code, de-icing tips for new concrete, and local snow removal companies.Read the guide →
Nearby towns we cover
Sources
- Homeowner Responsibilities - City of Altoona (checked 2026-10-22)
- Using Deicing Salts in the Home Landscape - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (checked 2026-10-22)
- Applicator Licensing and Certification - Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (checked 2026-10-22)
We link to the original sources so you can read them yourself. Product names are not endorsements.