Snow Clearing

The City of Oshawa uses a snow removal schedule based on a road priority system to ensure that your roads are plowed and salted in the most timely and effective manner. The City's main roads are the priority as these streets carry most of the City's traffic and emergency vehicles and public transportation. Residential roadways are the second priority.

During winter snowstorms, snow removal crews work around the clock and aim to complete clearing within 24 hours of a snowfall ending. Snow Activity Reports show snow clearing operations progress for City maintained roadways, sidewalks and the snow clearing assistance program.

View the Snow Activity Report

Note: The Region of Durham maintains all regional roads within Oshawa. The Region's snow clearing activities are not included in the report. View alerts and forecasts on the

Environment Canada Website 

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Winter Access By-law

Failure to clear snow/ice from your sidewalks could result in a fine plus any costs that may be incurred if the City is required to carry out work to remove any snow or ice. View the Winter Access By-law.

Responsibilities

City of Oshawa

• Anti-ice high priority roads and hills
• Salt, sand and plow all city owned roads
• Clear sidewalks adjacent to city owned properties
• Clear sidewalks in the Central Business Improvement Area
• Clear walkways and trails throughout the City
• Clear municipal parking lots and city facility parking lots
• Clear sidewalks and windrows for people on the snow clearing assistance program
• Update the Snow Clearing Activity Report three times daily during a snow clearing operation

Check the Sidewalk Snow Clearing Web Map to find which sidewalks, trails and walkways the City is responsible for clearing.

Community members responsibilities

• Clear the sidewalk adjacent to your property
• Pile snow from your driveway and sidewalk onto your property, not on the roadway
• No on street parking during a snow clearing operation

Snow Clearing Assistance

How to help

• Please be patient while you wait for your street to be cleared
• Reduce the height of the snowbank at the end of your property by shovelling snow back further onto your property - this improves visibility when entering or exiting your driveway
• Pile snow on the right side of your driveway (as you face the street) so that cleared snow does not get moved back into your driveway by the snowplow
• Clear snow away from hydrants
• Clear snow away from catch basins
• Place your garbage, green bin and recycling at ground level, with a clear path from the road
• Remove snow accumulations around exit doors, stairways, fire escapes and furnace vents
• Drive according to the conditions, give yourself extra time
• Give plows plenty of room and remember they may have to back up