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After the first major snowfall of 2025, the City of Iowa City reminds community members: for the safety of everyone in your neighborhood, sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours of the snowstorm ending on Thursday afternoon.
Cold temperatures are forecasted to continue for several days, meaning Mother Nature won't be much help in clearing the snow. Procrastination will potentially make snow compacted by pedestrian and vehicle traffic more difficult to remove.
Help your neighbors when possible by pitching in to clear their sidewalk or driveway, remove snow around fire hydrants, and clear snow from curb cuts if you are able!
Snow and ice removal
To ensure the well-being of neighbors and those who require sidewalk access for commutes to work, school, and other needs, snow should be cleared within 24 hours of a one-inch or greater snowfall, or after any accumulation of ice has ended.
During winter, temperatures can rise above freezing during the day and melt snow away, then cool back down at night, creating an icy layer. Please be sure to check that sidewalks remain cleared of ice, as well as snow. Doing so helps protect the many pedestrians who use sidewalks daily in Iowa City. Those who do not remove snow and ice could face a fine; something we all want to avoid.
Salt/sand mix available for residents
The City provides a limited amount of salt/sand mix available at no charge at the Streets Division parking lot, located off of South Gilbert Street in the parking lot at 3901 Napoleon Lane. Iowa City residents should provide their own five-gallon bucket and shovel to obtain the salt/sand mix, which is intended for local residential sidewalks, and not for commercial or contractor use. The mix is currently available.
Sidewalk regulations
Property owners are responsible for ice and snow removal from all sidewalks that abut their private property.
- The entire width of the sidewalk must be cleared down to concrete.
- Renters should check their leases to verify if snow and ice removal is the responsibility of the landlord or the tenant.
Clearing curb ramps and crosswalks keeps sidewalks accessible
We encourage residents to help keep curb ramps clear. Snow and ice-free curb ramps are needed to keep sidewalks accessible to everyone.
Snow and ice that accumulate in crosswalks make it difficult and dangerous for many of our residents, especially those with limited mobility, or children on their way to and from school. When you get to the end of your sidewalk, please shovel a few extra feet to clear the crosswalks and curb ramps if you are able. Your extra effort is greatly appreciated.
 Watch this video to learn more about Iowa City's snow removal ordinance.
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