Important Issues : Snow Removal

For all snow clearing inquiries, please call 416-338-SNOW.

What Happens When It Snows?

Keeping our Streets Clear and Traffic Moving
Keeping Toronto’s streets clear of snow is a major challenge. Toronto Council has established a level of service for ploughing the snow from city streets following a storm. Here are some of the things you can expect when our trucks and snow ploughs take to the streets.

During a Snowstorm
During the winter months, from December to March, patrollers are continously checking road and sidewalk conditions, as well as monitoring weather forecasts. Their main role is to ensure that roads and sidewalks are safe and passable.

When the snow starts to fall, salt trucks are sent out to the expressways and main roads. It is the city’s main priority to ensure that these routes are clear for emergency and transit vehicles. If five cm of snow has already fallen and it is continuing to snow, ploughs are sent out to these roads.

If 5 -- 8 cm of snow has fallen, ploughs are also sent out to collector roads, bus routes or local streets with hills. If the snow has stopped and there is an accumulation of more than eight cm, ploughs are sent to the local streets. Some parts of Toronto have narrow roads with on-street parking. Although roads are ploughed in these areas, snow tends to get pushed back onto streets and sidewalks, resulting in less than ideal conditions. The city’s goal is to maintain the surface facilities in a passable condition. Shortly thereafter, smaller ploughs and hand crews clear sidewalks, bus stops, crosswalks, bus shelters and
seniors sidewalks.

It’s important to remember that the city’s first priority is keeping the main roads clear, so please be patient. We’ll get to the side streets as soon as possible. Please wait 24 hours after the snow has stopped before calling us to let us know if your street has not yet been ploughed..

What Can You Expect From Us?
» Every effort will be made to keep the expressways and main roads open during a snowstorm.
» Ploughing on side streets will usually be completed within 15-20 hours after the snow stops falling. An additional 24 hours is spent ploughing difficult areas where snow has not been completely cleared.
» Sidewalks, bus stops and transit shelters will generally be ploughed 48 hours after a snow storm.
» Residential driveway windrows will be opened after a side street is plowed. Please note that our intent is to only plough a sufficient amount of snow from the windrow to permit a vehicle to easily drive across. Windrow clearing is not provided on narrow streets with no boulevards or where on-street parking is permitted.
» Current snow ploughing information at 338-SNOW (This telephone line will be operational during a snow ploughing operation). Residents may call this number to find out how snow ploughing operations are progressing.

What can you do to Prepare for a Snow Storm?
» Do not push snow from your property back onto the street. It is illegal and it obstructs the work that our operators are doing.
» If possible, keep parked cars off the street so that ploughs can move through the streets more effectively.
» Use public transit whenever possible. Fewer cars on the street can help us plough the snow.
» Wait until the ploughs have gone by before completely shovelling your driveway. This also applies if you have a sidewalk in front of your property.
» When a snow storm is in the forecast, you should ensure that you purchase any food, medication and household supplies that you might need for the next 48 hours. Try to stay off the streets.

In much of Toronto, the City provides mechanical sidewalk snow clearing. But in the main core the city is unable to provide this service. That\'s why we\'re asking all residents and business owners to clear the ice and snow from sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 12 hours of a snowfall. Clearing the ice and snow from the sidewalk in front of your home or business will make it safer for everyone. Failure to do so could result in a fine of $105 as per city by-law 530-1999.

If you plan to use salt, please take care to use the proper amount and not use too much. Using alternative products such as clay kitty litter or sand is also a good idea.

If you are a senior or disabled, contact the city at 416-392-7768 and we\'ll clear your sidewalk for you.

Remember, you can get current snow ploughing information at 416-338-SNOW (416-338-7669). This telephone line will be available during snow ploughing operations. Residents can call this number to find out how snow ploughing operations are progressing.