A recent Iowa Supreme Court case makes it so cities can be liable for sidewalk defects.

Sources say the Iowa Supreme Court stated the homeowners are responsible to remove ice and snow from the sidewalks on their property, but cities could be held liable to repair any defects if the property owner is not notified about those issues. Jefferson City Administrator Scott Peterson says for decades, the city ordinance has stipulated that the adjoining property owners are responsible for the sidewalk and to make necessary repairs.

As to how the Iowa Supreme Court interpreted this issue, he believes there was some confusing language and so he expects the Iowa Legislature to address this and clean those parts up. He reasons that cities can’t be held responsible for all of the sidewalks for a long period of time. However, Peterson points out that the city has a sidewalk program in place that shares the cost between the homeowner and the city to repair sidewalks. 

“And that if there are some sidewalks improvements that need to be made, the city has partnered with folks about being a financial partner in that. We do have a program that if you put in a new sidewalk the city would reimburse the homeowner $5 per square foot for that sidewalk that goes in. Ends up being a little more than half the cost of the sidewalk usually. So again, we want to be really good partners on that.” 

Peterson adds that if any homeowner is interested in learning more about the sidewalk program to contact City Hall at 515-386-3111.