Reminders for a safe winter season in Oshawa
Winter weather is here and the City of Oshawa is encouraging everyone to be a good neighbour this winter season as snow and ice removal responsibilities take effect.
On-street parking
On-street parking is not permitted on Oshawa streets from December 1 to April 1 between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Vehicles may be ticketed and/or towed during that time, regardless of snow clearing operations and weather conditions.
In addition to the 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. regulations, vehicles parked on Oshawa streets at any time while salting/snow clearing is underway may be ticketed and/or towed, regardless of the time of year.
Occasional Use Parking Permits (O.U.P.P.’s) are not valid during salting/snow clearing operations, and all O.U.P.P.’s previously arranged are suspended during salting/snow clearing operations.
Snow Clearing Activity Report
During snow clearing operations, the community is encouraged to view the Snow Clearing Activity Report. This report provides updates on the progress of snow clearing operations for City-maintained roadways and sidewalks and the snow clearing assistance program.
The Activity Report is updated throughout the day and based on visual observations by City staff. The projected completion times are calculated based on equipment capabilities, temperature, snow intensity and duration.
Community members are reminded that the Region of Durham maintains all regional roads within Oshawa. The Region's snow clearing activities are not included in the Snow Clearing Activity Report.
Clear your sidewalk and walkway
Be a good neighbour and shovel your walk. Snow and ice on sidewalks can impact the ability of people to get around safely – including pedestrians with service animals, mobility devices and strollers. Residents and businesses are responsible and required to clear the way around their property including:
- ensuring snow and ice are removed from sidewalks adjacent to your property by midnight of the first day after precipitation has ended
- continuing to completely remove snow and ice from sidewalks throughout a snow, sleet or freezing rain event. If the sidewalk is not entirely cleared of snow and ice, the property owner may receive escalating penalties of $75 to $275 per day of violation and invoiced costs associated with snow and ice removal.
- removing ridges of snow from any public sidewalk that touches your property where the sidewalk intersects or immediately borders a road
- not pushing or blowing snow from your property back onto the street. This is in violation of the Winter Access By-law, and it creates unsafe conditions.
- where possible, piling snow on the right side of the driveway (facing the street) to prevent cleared snow from moving back onto the driveway by the snow plow.
- reducing the height of the snow bank at the end of your property by shoveling snow back further onto your property – this improves visibility when entering or exiting your driveway
- watching for opportunities to assist your neighbours who may need help
Winter reminders from Fire Services
Oshawa Fire Services reminds residents, businesses and landlords to ensure that fire hydrants and entrances are accessible for firefighters in case of an emergency.
- If there is a fire hydrant in front of your home or business, remove accumulations of snow and ice around the fire hydrant.
- Remove snow accumulations around exit doors, stairways, and fire escapes so that occupants have safe ways out in an emergency.
Placement of garbage, green bins and recycling
Snowbanks, icy conditions and winter weather can make it difficult for waste collection operators to see and safely reach your garbage, green bin and recycling. Keep these reminders in mind when placing waste at the curb:
- choose and maintain a collection area that is visible and at ground level
- keep a path from the road to your collectibles clear of snow and ice
Subscribe and be informed
To learn more about snow clearing responsibilities and for seasonal reminders, visit the Snow webpage.
In preparation for and during snow events, community members are encouraged to:
- visit and bookmark Oshawa.ca/Snow
- Subscribe to Emergency & Severe Weather Updates and Service Disruptions to receive alerts, cancellations and closures in your email inbox.
For City of Oshawa updates, visit Oshawa.ca/NewsCentre to follow us on social media, subscribe to news and alerts, and have your say on Connect Oshawa.