Snow Clearing
Oshawa uses a snow clearing priority system, to ensure that roads are plowed and salted in the most timely and effective manner.
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.
Note: The Region of Durham maintains all regional roads within Oshawa. The Region's snow clearing activities are not included in the report.
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 Snow Clearing Service Level Web Map to find which roads, 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
Request 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
Snow Updates
Check out more information on emergencies and how to prepare.