Johnston gives owners 48 hours after a snowfall to clear sidewalks, and it runs a snow emergency parking ban when the city declares one.
What the City of Johnston says about sidewalks
- Clear sidewalks within 48 hours after a snowfall, or a fine may be issued (city code 136.03).
- Don't push or blow snow onto city streets.
Street parking and plowing
- During a declared snow emergency, the parking ban runs from the proclamation until 5:00 p.m. the following day.
- Vehicles parked on the street during the ban can get a $25 ticket and may be towed.
Hiring help in Johnston
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 Johnston
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).
815 Office Park Road, West Des Moines, IA 50266
- Sidewalk & driveway clearing
- Salting / de-icing
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Homes
- Businesses
Locally owned lawn care and snow removal company; its site describes 24-hour winter service using snow blowers and shovels rather than plows, with salt and snow melt, plus mowing, aeration, overseeding and fertilization.
Service area (their words): Its site names Des Moines, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Johnston, Grimes, Clive, Waukee, Beaverdale and Windsor Heights, and has a separate Ankeny lawn care page.
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 'Central Iowa Lawn' and 'Central Iowa': no matching company record found.
Listing source: https://centraliowalawncare.com/, https://centraliowalawncare.com/services/snow-removal-des-moines, https://centraliowalawncare.com/locations/lawn-care-waukee-ia, https://centraliowalawncare.com/locations/lawn-care-west-des-moines-ia, https://centraliowalawncare.com/locations/lawn-care-urbandale-ia, https://centraliowalawncare.com/locations/lawn-care-ankeny-ia (checked 2026-10-22).
- Snow removal
- Salting / de-icing
- Mowing
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn care and landscaping company; its site lists mowing, aeration and overseeding, cleanups, and snow removal and ice management.
Service area (their words): Its site names Johnston, Grimes, Urbandale, Ankeny, Polk City, Waukee and Des Moines.
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://www.frantumlawnlandscaping.com/ (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).
- 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).
5475 Northwest Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
- Sidewalk & driveway clearing
- Mowing
- Fertilizing
- Weed control
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Grub / insect control
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn care, landscaping, pest control and snow removal company; its residential snow service covers sidewalks, garage doors, driveways and a path for pets.
Service area (their words): Service areas listed: Urbandale, West Des Moines, Waukee, Grimes, Ankeny, Des Moines, Clive, Norwalk, Windsor Heights, Johnston and Polk County.
Lawn chemicals: IDALS company license record found (06481-001, 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 'Ultimate Lawn': found active company license 06481-001, ULTIMATE LAWN SERVICES LLC, Grimes (Polk County), expiration 2026-12-31. (The license record lists Grimes; the website lists a Johnston address.)
Listing source: https://www.ultimatelawnservices.com/residential-snow-removal/, https://www.ultimatelawnservices.com/waukee-ia/, https://www.ultimatelawnservices.com/ (checked 2026-10-22).
- Snow removal
- Mowing
- Aeration
- Seeding / overseeding
- Spring & fall cleanup
- Landscaping
- Homes
- Businesses
Lawn care and landscaping company offering weekly mowing, trimming, edging, seasonal cleanups, aeration, overseeding, gutter cleaning, holiday lighting and winter snow removal.
Service area (their words): Service areas listed: Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.
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://www.vargaslawn.com/service-areas/urbandale-ia (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 Johnston?
Within 48 hours after a snowfall, according to the City of Johnston's snow removal page.
How does Johnston's snow emergency parking ban work?
Once the city declares a snow emergency, the parking ban runs until 5:00 p.m. the following day. Vehicles left on the street can get a $25 ticket and may be towed.
Does a lawn care company in Johnston 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 Johnston 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
- Snow Removal - City of Johnston (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.