Q: When will the City plow my road?

1. Snow removal on roads is divided into priority routes within our Snow Removal Policy. There are different levels of service for the three stages of Snow Removal which are Plowing, Clearing and Hauling. See the information listed above for the maps and priority routes related to Snow Removal.

Q: Do I have to move my vehicle off the road during snow removal? How will I know when it needs to be moved? 

1. You need to remove vehicles from the street during Snow Removal. Narrow Roads that are signed (at the main entrance of the road) give 24 hours notice to remove the vehicle or it may be towed.

Q: What happens if I have a driveway ridge that makes it hazardous to get in and out of my property?

1. The City tries to ensure snow ridges remain in the curb lane, not on sidewalks.  If the snow ridge is left at your driveway, blocking intersection sight-lines or making driving hazardous, you can report the location using our online Service Request form or by calling 306-236-3622 during business hours.

Q: Will my back alley be cleared? Why doesn't the city clear ALL back alleys?

1. With the exception of certain designated alleys (see Appendix B map from the Snow Removal policy in the above page) which are generally lanes and alleys behind apartment / condominium complexes that do not have street access, and alleys/lanes that need to be cleared at the city’s own facilities, back-alley Plowing is generally not performed at any time during the winter months.
   
   Alleys may be Plowed where conditions are deemed warranted at the direction of the Public Works Manager, but there is no guarantee for this work. Alleys are generally Plowed after Snow Removal on roads, or at the same time as the neighbouring roads are being Plowed at the direction of public works. Snow Removal requests for Back Alleys/Lanes must be requested using the standard Service Request system through City Hall, with the requestor providing justification of where and why the Snow Removal action is needed. The Public Works Manager will deem whether the work is warranted or possible.

Q: Why doesn’t the City remove ridges in front of driveways or clear back alleys?

1. We perform snow removal on residential roads, but not driveways. We also only plow certain alleys as indicated in our Snow Removal Policy. The cost to tax payers for increasing our levels of service to remove driveway ridges and plow all back alleys is prohibitive.

SIDEWALKS

*NEW* School Zone Collector Roads

Owners/Occupants along newly designated School Zone Collector Roads (see the Schedule B map below) are now required to perform snow removal on the sidewalk (where one exits) immediately adjacent to their own property only. You are not required to cross the street to shovel the sidewalk in front of someone else’s property. Where the new *ASPHALT* section of the Walking Path is adjacent to properties in this zone, those properties do not have to shovel it. Parks & Recreation staff will be doing snow removal on the ASPHALT sections of the walking path in the city (see the Appendix D map below). 

• Snow must be removed within 48 hours of the end of a snow event. For further clarification, the end of a snow event is considered to be when the snow stops falling.
• Sidewalks must be kept free from snow and ice buildup. Each property owner and occupant is to create an even, walkable surface by clearing the sidewalks to the edges and as close to the concrete as possible.
• Snow from sidewalks can be placed on each owner or occupant’s property, ensuring it does not interfere with traffic or cover storm drains. Do not shovel or blow snow into the road.

Bylaw Enforcement has been instructed to perform "soft enforcement" for this first season of the new change (2022/2023 winter). This means they will issue a warning for a first offence before issuing a fine or an Order to Remedy. The fine for a first offence is $25, and for a second or additional offence it is $50 per offence. In addition to a fine, the City can also issue an Order to Remedy for the work to be done. If the owner/occupant fails to comply with the order, the City may have the work done, billing the cost back to the property owner. Bills that go unpaid may have the amount applied to their property taxes.

See our the FAQ section below for more information.

CLICK MAP BELOW TO ENLARGE

*NEW* Walking Path

 The City will set a service priority for Snow Removal operations for sidewalks and shared paths as shown in the Appendix D map following the conclusion of a storm event. Only those sidewalks and shared paths located on the map in Appendix D, will have a service level established for clearing by the City. 

CLICK MAP BELOW TO ENLARGE

Q: Why isn’t everyone required to remove snow on their sidewalks? Why just a designated zone? 

1. For this season, Council prioritized safety of children getting to and from schools. Public engagement will be done regarding the possibility of extending this requirement community-wide for the 2023-2024 season. Owners/Occupants along the newly designated School Zone Collector Roads are required to shovel the sidewalk immediately adjacent to their own property only. You are not required to cross the street to shovel the sidewalk in front of someone else’s property.

Q: Will the City be clearing sidewalks in front of their properties too?

1. Yes. The city clears sidewalks in front of city property. We also clear the asphalt walking path, and the sidewalk on 5th Street W from 9th to where it ends at Lions Park, as well as on 9th Ave W from 5th Street W to where it ends by the mall and some portions of downtown.  Snow Removal on sidewalks and shared paths done by the city  will be performed by the City’s sweeper equipment, and is not guaranteed to achieve a perfectly clear state.  Adjacent property owners who desire a higher degree of Snow Removal will be responsible for doing so themselves.

Q: Who clears the sidewalks in the City that aren't along School Zone Collector Roads and aren't cleared by the City? 

1. The short answer is no one. At this time, the City does not clear other sidewalks. There is also no provision in our current bylaw to force owners/occupants to clear sidewalks in front of their own property. The city will be doing some public engagement regarding the possibility of extending this requirement community-wide for the 2023-2024 season. We do encourage people to shovel their sidewalks to help improve pedestrian safety.

Q: I have a rental property. Who has to shovel in front of that place?

1. As the property owner, you are required to clear the sidewalk. It is up to you if you ask your tenants to do that service for you. If you do, keep in mind if it is not done, you as the property owner are ultimately the one responsible.

Q: What happens if I don’t clear my sidewalk?

1. If you are along a designated School Zone Collector Road and you have a sidewalk, you are required to clear it. If you don't you may receive a fine and/or an Order to Remedy to complete the snow removal. If you don't pay the fine you could end up being summoned to court. If you don't comply with an order to remedy, the City may have the work done and bill it back to you. Unpaid bills may also be added to property taxes.

Q: My property is along the walking path, do I need to clear the snow?

1. The city will be clearing the ASPHALT portions of the new walking path only. Any existing concrete sidewalks that are considered connector routes to help people get from one part of the asphalt path to another (such as Bridger, the concrete portion of LaRocque, and the section of 3rd Street E from 4th Ave up to Highway #55). These areas will not be cleared by the city.  We encourage property owners along these routes to shovel those sidewalks.

Q: If I can't clear my sidewalk, where can I get help? 

1. There are many contractors in and around the City who can be paid to perform snow removal for you. You can ask for help from family, friends or neighbors. Community groups and friendly citizens and neighbours may also act as Snow Angels helping others in the community. The city is not keeping a list of people who need help, but we are putting together a list of both snow angels (snow removal for free or by donation), and contractors (snow removal usually for a paid fee) who we can connect you with.

Q: How can I help those in the community who are unable to shovel their sidewalks? 

1. There are a few ways to help! If you are someone who is able to offer your help, please feel free to contact city hall and let us know if you are willing for us to give our your contact information out to people who are inquiring about getting help with snow removal.
   • Snow Angels are members of the community, local non-profit or community service groups or businesses who volunteer, free of charge, to assist others with sidewalk snow removal. 
   • Some community groups may also request a donation in exchange for their service, if you will be requesting a donation in exchange for services and not offering a free service, please specify that to us when you contact us. 
   • If you are someone like a business who is able to offer paid contracted services for snow removal you can let us know as well, sometimes people are willing to pay for snow removal, but they simply don't know who to call or ask.

Q: What does Snow Removal mean? Why are piles of snow left in the street? 

1. “Snow Removal” means the full task of performing all three phases to remove snow from a location (Plowing, Clearing and Hauling) to clear a location of snow as completely as possible within reason.
   • “Plowing” means using the blades of city equipment to remove or level some of the snow in a location to create passable lanes for traffic, but not always clearing it to the pavement or creating a windrow; this is generally the first stage of Snow Removal. This stage may sometimes be skipped.
   • “Clearing” this is clearing a location of snow down to the pavement level where possible including moving snow into windrows where needed; this is generally the second stage of Snow Removal.
   • “Hauling” means the act of moving snow from one location (such as a road or sidewalk or windrow) to a different location; this is generally the third and final step in Snow Removal and often includes using the City’s snowblower to blow snow into trucks to be taken away. 
   • The pile of snow left in the street during Snow Clearing is called a Windrow. “Windrow” means snow that is temporarily pushed by the City’s equipment to the curb or boulevard or into the center of the road to allow for the passage of vehicles, but does not obstruct traffic flow. Windrows and Hauling of snow will not necessarily follow the Plowing and Clearing priority routes, as equipment availability, timing, and road widths must be taken into consideration.

Q: How does the City determine levels of service standards and priorities?

1. The standard of service for snow removal is determined in consideration of the resources and staffing levels available to the City as set out in the annual budget agreed upon by City Council.

Q: What sort of timeline is "following a snow event"? 

1. When a timeline begins “following a snow event”, this means that the timer starts when the snow stops falling. If the snow is falling continuously for multiple days, some work to keep routes reasonably clear may be performed before the snow has completely stopped, especially for emergency services in terms of roads, or for sidewalks to prevent it from becoming too packed down due to foot traffic.

Q: I have flower pots, a driveway ramp, and other landscaping items that are in my yard but on City property. Will they be safe during Snow Removal?

1. The City only permits non-permanent items to be placed AT YOUR OWN RISK on the road allowance that you use as part of your yard between October 1 - April 1 in each year, subject to enforcement. The City is not responsible for damage to any permanent or non-permanent items placed on City property.  We also recommend clearly flagging any permanent items so they can be easily seen by our equipment operators.

Q: Where do I put the snow I'm clearing from my driveway or sidewalk?

1. The snow you remove needs to remain on your property. Do not push snow into the road, you may receive a ticket or order to remedy if you push snow into city roads. Clear snow effectively from your driveway to reduce the chance of a snow berm being created when your road is cleared.

Other Reminders

Parking:  It is advised that residents avoid parking their vehicles on the roads during Snow Removal operations, and to move vehicles to a driveway wherever possible. The City is not responsible for Clearing or Hauling Windrows away from vehicles that have been left on the road during Snow Removal operations.

Landscaping, shrubs, fencing, ornaments, flower beds, ramps, etc: Any landscaping, trees, shrubs, plants, fencing, ornaments, flower beds or any other structure or material that is above the normal grade of the lot and is placed between the curb and the front lot line of the owner's property is placed at the owner’s risk. The City will not be responsible for any damages to property within the municipal right-of way caused by the grading or pushing of snow during snow removal.

• ***NEW*** Where non-permanent items or fixtures such as ramps, yard ornaments, flower pots and such have been placed between the curb and the front lot line of the owner’s property, they must be removed on or before October 1st each year and may not be placed or replaced until on or after April 1st of each year.   
• ***NEW***  The City recommends in all cases under 7(a) that property owners flag any permanent item or structure so they can be seen in the winter for snow removal purposes; provided, however, that the City is not liable for damage to any such items or structures whether or not they have been flagged.