Sioux Falls Concrete Repair Guide: Sidewalks, Leveling (2026)

Updated October 12, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Sidewalk responsibility	Property owners pay for repairs to adjacent sidewalks	City of Sioux Falls
Sidewalk inspections	About 10% of sidewalks inspected each year, plus reported hazards	City of Sioux Falls
Sidewalk permit	Required. Free for homeowners doing their own work; contractors pay a fee	City of Sioux Falls
Right-of-way work	Contractors working in the public right-of-way, including sidewalks, must be bonded and insured with the city	City of Sioux Falls
Climate	About 28 in. precipitation and 45 in. snow a year; January average about 18°F	NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Hiring	Written estimate and contract, references, change orders in writing, final payment after completion	S.D. Attorney General

How does the Sioux Falls sidewalk program work?

The City of Sioux Falls says property owners are responsible for sidewalk repair costs and that state law requires owners to maintain sidewalks to avoid a public nuisance. The city aims to inspect about 10 percent of sidewalks each year, including its own, and also inspects when hazards are reported through its website or app. If repairs are needed, the owner gets a letter with three options: do the repair with a free homeowner permit and call for re-inspection; hire a contractor, who obtains the permit and pays a fee; or have the city's contractor do the work, with an invoice sent within 60 days and unpaid balances added to the next year's property taxes. Missing the permit deadline in the letter enrolls you in the third option automatically. The city highly recommends hiring a contractor who is bonded and insured with the city and publishes a list of them.

Who needs a license to do concrete work in Sioux Falls?

The city licenses several contractor types, including residential building contractors and right-of-way (ROW) contractors. Its ROW contractor page says contractors performing work in the public right-of-way, including installing sidewalks, must be bonded and insured. The city doesn't list a separate concrete or flatwork license. For work entirely on private property, such as leveling a patio, ask for proof of liability insurance. For anything touching the public sidewalk or driveway approach, ask whether the contractor is on the city's bonded and insured list. Brandon, Harrisburg, Tea and Hartford are separate cities with their own rules.

Mudjacking vs. foam jacking

	Mudjacking	Foam jacking
Material	Cement-based slurry	Polyurethane foam
Hole size	About 1 to 2 in.	About 5/8 in.
Weight added	Heavy	Light
Return to use	Often a day or more for heavy loads	Often within hours
Typical cost	Lower	Higher

Either method can lift a solid slab that has settled. Neither fixes the water or soil problem that made it settle, so ask the contractor what caused it and how to prevent it from happening again.

Why is Sioux Falls weather hard on concrete?

NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Sioux Falls airport station show about 28 inches of precipitation a year, with June the wettest month at about 4.2 inches, and about 45 inches of snow. January averages about 18°F and July about 74°F. The National Weather Service lists the city's record low as -42°F, set in 1899, and its wettest year as 2019, with 39.54 inches. Concrete suffers most when water gets into it or under it and then freezes. Expanding ice heaves slabs and breaks down the surface, and thawing leaves soft soil and voids behind.

How do I protect my concrete through winter?

Seal cracks and joints in the fall, before freeze-up.
Point downspouts and sump lines away from slabs and the foundation.
Shovel promptly so snowmelt doesn't sit and refreeze.
Use deicers sparingly, and avoid them on concrete in its first winter where possible.
Consider a penetrating sealer on driveways and walks that see salt.

How do I avoid contractor problems?

South Dakota's Attorney General advises homeowners to ask for a written estimate and a written contract, check references, put any changes in a change order signed by both parties, write guarantees into the contract, and make the final payment only when the work is done to your satisfaction. The office suggests paying by check made out to the company rather than an individual, avoiding on-the-spot cash payments, asking for a sales tax license, and getting a local building permit when one is required.

Common questions

Who is responsible for sidewalk repair in Sioux Falls?

The adjacent property owner. The City of Sioux Falls sidewalk program says owners are responsible for repair costs.

Do I need a permit to fix my sidewalk in Sioux Falls?

Yes. Homeowners doing their own work get a free permit; contractors obtain the permit and pay a fee.

Is mudjacking or foam better?

Both can lift a solid slab. Foam is lighter, uses smaller holes and cures faster but usually costs more. Mudjacking is generally less expensive.

Sioux Falls concrete repair guide (2026)