Property owners and/or occupants are responsible for clearing the city sidewalks adjacent to their homes or businesses and maintaining them free of snow and ice at all times. The city policy regarding snow removal can be found in the Municipal Code, Chapter 12.56.

Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance Enforcement. The city begins enforcement of the sidewalk snow removal policy 24 hours after the cessation of snowfall. Just be mindful, it is easier to shovel early and often, and that the goal of sidewalk snow removal is pedestrian safety.

If snow or ice has become packed and difficult to remove, it must be covered with salt, sand, sawdust, ashes or some other non-slippery or adhesive substance to make the sidewalk safe to use.

When a sidewalk has not been cleared within the allotted time, the city may clear that sidewalk and bill the property owner for the associated costs. No advance warning of such clearings will be given.

Following a snowfall of 1" or more, routine inspections are performed along arterial streets, within three blocks of schools and in the downtown area to promote pedestrian safety in areas where pedestrian traffic is higher and to ensure compliance. Any location generating a complaint is also inspected and cleared if warranted. Prior to removing snow, the area to be cleared is photographed to document the failure to clear the sidewalk. Property owners may file an objection to clearing charges with the Legal department at 563.326.7735.

Report a Sidewalk that Has Not Been Cleared. To report a sidewalk that has not been cleared, contact the Public Works Department at 563.326.7923 or submit a request. Before reporting a sidewalk that hasn't been shoveled, consider doing a good turn and shoveling or snow blowing the sidewalk. You never know if the reason the sidewalk hasn't been cleared is because the property owner is physically unable to remove the snow or if other conditions prevented the owner from shoveling.

Snow Cannot be Pushed or Blown to the Street. Know that depositing, spewing or placing snow and ice on any public property in the city, including sidewalks and streets adjacent to a home or business is prohibited under Ordinance 12.64.01. You may be fined.

The City Pushed Snow Back Onto My Sidewalk. Snow clearing operations can often result in windrowing, or pushing snow back onto sidewalks and driveway approaches. When snow is cleared from the roadway to make streets passable, it has to go somewhere. The amount of snow deposited is dependent on the magnitude of the snow event and an area's geography, street width, vehicular parking, and features like cul-de-sacs. Crews do their best to minimize windrow when conditions are favorable, but it is often unavoidable.

The City will not clear sidewalks recovered by windrow. Property owners whose sidewalks become recovered as a result of windrowing, should attempt to make at least one pass through the middle of the sidewalk in order to provide sufficient surface for pedestrian traffic. In general the City will not cite property owners who have attempted to clear their sidewalk of snow and ice.

S idewalk Snow Removal Tips

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