Snow clearing in Hamilton: roads and sidewalks

When will my street be plowed?

Roads are plowed by priority: first main routes and escarpment crossings, then collector roads, then neighbourhood streets. The City's targets, counted from the end of the winter event, are bare pavement in 4 hours on major arterial roads and escarpment accesses, bare pavement in 8 hours on primary collectors, centre-bare in 8 hours on secondary collectors and steep residential hills, bare pavement in 24 hours on residential roads, and centre-bare to snow-packed in 24 hours on rural roads.

The clock starts after the winter event is over: snow has stopped and there is no drifting, blowing snow or freezing rain. Provincial highways through the city are maintained by the Ministry of Transportation.

• Plow tracker

Source: City of Hamilton, Snow Clearing

Where should I put the snow from my driveway?

On the boulevard or your own front or side yard, not onto the road. Moving snow to the side of your property where the plow finishes means less is pushed back across the driveway. Keep waste containers off and away from snowbanks on collection day, and keep cars off the road during and right after a snowfall.

Source: City of Hamilton, Snow Clearing

Who clears the sidewalk in front of my house?

You do, unless your property is on the City's sidewalk snow clearing route. The City's Snow and Ice By-law 03-296 requires property owners or occupants to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk beside their property, including the adjacent street corner, and from roofs that overhang the City sidewalk, within 24 hours after the end of a snow event. Owners of vacant properties are responsible too.

Do not put snow beside or blocking a fire hydrant, over a drain, catch basin or culvert, or on a road or boulevard where it could interfere with traffic. Failing to clear snow can bring a Notice to Comply, charges of up to $5,000, inspection fees on your tax bill, or the City clearing it and adding the cost to your taxes.

Source: City of Hamilton, Sidewalk Snow Clearing

Which sidewalks does the City clear?

The City clears 885 km of sidewalks a year: those along Priority 1 and Priority 2A roads where transit runs and at transit stops, and sidewalks beside municipally owned property, reverse-frontage lots, all sidewalks in Ancaster, and sidewalks beside public school board property, on a charge-back basis. Clearing starts at 5 cm of snow, and the City addresses its sidewalks 24 hours after the end of a snow event.

• Sidewalk plow tracker

Source: City of Hamilton, Sidewalk Snow Clearing

A neighbour has not cleared their sidewalk. What can I do?

If a property owner or occupant has not cleared the sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of a snow event, call 905-546-2489 to file a by-law complaint, or use the City's online complaint form.

Low-income seniors and people with disabilities who own their home may qualify for the City's Snow Clearing Subsidy toward the cost of clearing their sidewalk, front walkway and the plow windrow.

• Snow Clearing Subsidy

Source: City of Hamilton, Sidewalk Snow Clearing