Residential and commercial snow removal rules have been clarified following an update to the Town’s Streets and Sidewalks Bylaw.

During their regular meeting on Jan. 23, 2023, Council updated the bylaw to better define the rules for snow removal in the community. These changes will not affect the Town’s current snow clearing program for sidewalks adjacent to residential properties.

“The town will continue to maintain residential sidewalks as we have for years,” said Keith Straub, Director of Operations.

The changes clarify and expand on rules for commercial property owners regarding the sidewalks adjacent to their properties. 

Any snow or ice from a sidewalk adjacent to a commercial property can be relocated to any public street or walkway within 24 hours after the end of a  snowfall providing the Town has not yet cleared the adjacent road. While this option was previously only available to commercial properties in the downtown core, it has been expanded to include all commercial properties in the community. 

“We just needed to better clarify what commercial property owners could do and define the procedures for removing snow from their property,” said Straub.

The changes also provide clarity on where property owners can place snow and ice from their properties, including walkways and driveways. Snow from a property cannot be placed on town property unless that property is maintained by the adjacent land owner, for example a residential owner can place snow from their driveway or walk way onto the boulevard immediately adjacent to their property.  Snow and ice cannot be pushed into culverts or drainage ditches as this can cause flooding issues during melting periods.

“We enhanced the bylaw to really define how snow can be removed depending on the type of property,” said Straub. “The issues with putting unwanted snow on municipal land and streets needed to be highlighted for public safety.” 

The Streets and Sidewalks Bylaw can be viewed here:

http://www.highlevel.ca/DocumentCenter/View/3803/1031-23-Streets-and-Sidewalks-Bylaw