Davenport, IA Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)
Key Facts
- Who clears
- Occupant or lot owner
- Deadline
- 10 hours after snowfall
- Coverage
- Entire sidewalk width
- Hard ice
- Sand, salt, or ashes
- City removal cost
- Special tax plus $2.50
Summary
Davenport requires owners and occupants to clear the entire sidewalk of snow and ice. If it stays more than 10 hours, Public Works can remove it and bill the property as a special tax plus a $2.50 charge.
Whenever any snow or ice is allowed to remain upon any sidewalks, permanent or temporary, within the City for the space of 10 hours, or if in the opinion of the director of public works, or the director's authorized agent, an emergency situation exists that would endanger the public welfare and safety, the department of public works may immediately remove or cause to be removed said snow and ice from the sidewalk or sprinkle or cover the same as provided in Section 12.56.010.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4820400; v43 updated 2026-03-11; through 03-11-2026).
Full Breakdown
Municipal Code 12.56.010 makes the occupant of each building, or the owner of a vacant lot, responsible for clearing the whole sidewalk in front of the property of all snow and ice; hard ice that can't be removed must be covered with sand, salt, ashes, or another nonslip material. If snow or ice is left more than 10 hours, or sooner in a public-safety emergency, the Public Works Department may remove it (12.56.020). The city then bills the owner, and unpaid costs are levied as a special tax against the property with a $2.50 administrative charge.
Violations & Fines
Leave a sidewalk uncleared past 10 hours and the city may clear it and charge the cost back to you as a special assessment plus $2.50, collected like other property taxes (Sec. 12.56.040).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to shovel my sidewalk in Davenport?
What happens if I don't clear my sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davenport
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