City Reminds Residents of Snowbank Responsibilities on Private Property

As winter weather continues to bring snow and fluctuating conditions, the City of Owen Sound reminds residents that snowbanks on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and are not removed by City crews.

City snow removal operations focus on maintaining safe and accessible public roadways, sidewalks, and municipal properties. Snowbanks that accumulate on driveways, lawns, or other private areas due to plowing or snowfall must be removed by residents or property owners.

Snow removal is a shared effort during the winter months. While City crews work hard to keep roads and sidewalks clear and safe, residents play an important role in managing snow on their own properties.

Residents are encouraged to:

·         Plan ahead for snow clearing on private property.

·         Review the Highway Traffic Act, residents are not allowed to deposit snow on the roadway.

·         When clearing snow, pile it on your property - do not shovel it onto the sidewalk, onto the road, or across the road. 

·         Ensure visibility is maintained near driveways and intersections.

The City recognizes that winter conditions can be challenging, particularly in a snowbelt community, and encourages residents to work together to meet the demands of snowbank removal on their properties.

For more information, please contact Mason Bellamy, Manager of Public Works and Engineering at 519-376-4440 ext. 3300, or email at mbellamy@owensound.ca

Quick Facts:

• The City maintains 284 lane kilometres of roadways and 110 kilometres of sidewalks during the winter.
• Owen Sound is noted as one of the top 10 municipalities in Ontario for annual snowfall, receiving, on average, 330 centimetres per year. This season (2025/2026), we have received approximately 345cm at the time of this release.
• Please visit OwenSound.ca/WinterControl for more information.

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