Getting a notice from the City of Des Moines — or a suburb like West Des Moines, Urbandale, or Johnston — about a defective sidewalk can feel alarming. The good news: these citations are routinely resolved quickly and affordably. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Understand Your Deadline
Every Des Moines suburb has specific deadlines for sidewalk repair after a citation. Know yours before doing anything else:
| Municipality | Repair Deadline | If Deadline Missed |
|---|---|---|
| City of Des Moines | 180 days | City repairs and bills property owner at premium rates |
| West Des Moines | 75 days | City causes repairs — cost assessed to property owner |
| Ankeny | Contact city for current deadline | City may complete and assess cost |
| Urbandale | Contact city for current deadline | City may complete and assess cost |
| Johnston | Contact city for current deadline | City may complete and assess cost |
West Des Moines homeowners: 75 days is a tight deadline. If you've received a WDM notice, call a contractor within the first two weeks — don't wait. Scheduling, permitting, and inspection all take time within that window.
Step 2: Read the Notice Carefully
Your citation notice will specify which sections are defective and what type of defect was cited. Common defect codes include:
- Defect A / Sunken Sections: Panel is lower than adjacent sections. May be repairable by lifting rather than replacement.
- Defect B / Raised Sections: Panel is higher than adjacent sections — trip hazard. May require grinding or full replacement depending on severity.
- Defect C: Cracking or structural failure. Usually requires panel replacement.
- Defect E: Surface deterioration. Usually requires replacement.
Defects A and B are the most common — and the most likely to be repairable without full replacement.
Step 3: Get an Assessment Before Committing to Anything
The most expensive mistake homeowners make after receiving a citation is calling a concrete contractor for a replacement quote without first exploring repair options. For Defect A (sunken) and Defect B (raised) citations, lifting and grinding can often resolve the cited defect at 40–70% less cost than replacement.
Important: The repair method must satisfy the city inspector's re-inspection. Grinding and lifting are accepted repair methods for Defects A and B in most Des Moines municipalities — but the result must meet the city's safety standard. We understand what inspectors look for and repair to pass, not just to look good.
Step 4: Understand the Permit Requirement
The City of Des Moines requires a permit for sidewalk replacement. Grinding and lifting typically do not require a permit. When we assess your cited sidewalk, we confirm the repair method and permit requirements upfront — no surprises during the project.
Step 5: Schedule and Complete the Repair
Once you've chosen a contractor, schedule the repair with enough time remaining in your deadline window for:
- Permit application and approval (if replacement is needed — typically 3–7 business days)
- Scheduling the repair crew (typically 1–2 weeks out)
- The actual repair work (usually 1 day)
- City re-inspection scheduling (typically 1–2 weeks after repair)
With a 180-day deadline, this is comfortable. With a 75-day West Des Moines deadline, you need to start within the first two weeks of receiving the notice.
Step 6: Schedule the Re-Inspection
After repairs are complete, the city will re-inspect the cited sections. We provide documentation of work completed and can advise on what the inspector will look for. Most properly completed repairs pass re-inspection on the first visit.
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Bottom Line
A sidewalk citation is not a crisis — it's a deadline. Understand your deadline, get a repair assessment before committing to replacement, handle permits appropriately, and complete the work with enough buffer time for re-inspection. Most Des Moines sidewalk citations are resolved for $400–$1,200 and well within the compliance window.