Snow Clearing & Winter Maintenance

Significant Weather Event

In the event of an extreme snow storm, which puts the public at risk, a "Significant Weather Event" may be declared by the Director of Public Works or designate.

What is a significant weather event?

As per Regulation 239/02 of the Ontario Municipal Act, a municipality may declare a significant weather event when a weather hazard, either forecasted or occurring, has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways in which they have authority. 

This declaration suspends the standard timelines required for municipalities to meet their winter maintenance objectives. All roadways and/or sidewalks are deemed in a state of repair with respect to snow accumulation and/or ice conditions, until the municipality declares the significant weather event has ended. 

In each case, during the course of a declared significant weather event, the standard for addressing winter maintenance is to monitor the weather and deploy resources to address the issue, starting from the time the municipality deems it most appropriate to do so. When the City declares an event has ended, standard timelines for winter maintenance activities then begin.

Conditions in which a significant weather event may be declared

Declaring a Significant Weather Event

The City of Owen Sound will notify the public of a significant weather event with a media release.

Significant weather events remain in effect until the posted end time or until cancellation is issued.

Significant weather event declarations are not restricted to specific months.

During a significant weather event, all roadways and sidewalks are considered to be in a state of repair and in some cases be unsafe to use.  If you need to go out during these events please take every precaution and adjust your driving behaviour to match road conditions and potential hazards.

For the safety of everyone, the City of Owen Sound would also like to remind the community not to push snow from their driveways onto the road.

The City's road network is divided into five (5) different classifications for winter maintenance purposes based on the average traffic and posted speed of the roadway. By having different classifications it allows City resources to focus their attention on heavily travelled roadways first.

Once these primary roadways are completed, local residential streets are started. Dead ends and cul-de-sacs are lower priority and are the last to receive service.

During an active snowfall, it can take 6 to 48 hours to clear all roads in Owen Sound. We appreciate your patience—our crews are out working hard to keep everyone safe. Owen Sound’s geography makes winter operations challenging, as weather conditions can vary greatly between areas above and below the escarpment.

Our goal is to clear one side of as many streets as possible first. Sidewalks on busy routes and those leading to schools are top priority.

Other sidewalks are cleared afterward as time, staff, and equipment allow.

Residents are encouraged to include clearing the snow on the sidewalks in front of their homes if they are able. We all play a part in keeping our sidewalks clear. 

A windrow is the ridge or pile of snow left along the side of the road after a plow passes. Plows must push snow to the side to keep the roadway clear for traffic.

Operators cannot lift the plow blade in front of individual homes. The blade must stay in contact with the road surface to clear snow properly and safely.

During a storm, plows may need to make several passes or push snowbanks back to make room for more snow and improve drainage when temperatures rise.

During heavy snowfalls, delays are possible. Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and drive according to conditions. As a reminder, dead end streets are the lowest priority for snow clearing, because they serve a small number of people, where as main roads are the most frequently used and need to be kept clear for emergency first responders.

In any emergency, call 9-1-1. Emergency services will coordinate directly with the City’s Public Works team to ensure police, fire, or ambulance crews can reach you as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, the City cannot clear snow from private property under any circumstances. You may wish to ask a family member, friend, neighbour, or private snow removal service for help.

Reaching out to 2-1-1, our local community resource line may be a good first step, if family or friends are not available. 

Cul-de-sacs are challenging for large plows to maneuver in, and they’re designed to store excess snow during winter operations. Snow piled in the centre will be removed when equipment and staff are available.

Applying salt before plowing improves traction and helps create a brine solution that loosens snow and ice from the road surface.

This makes it easier for plows to remove the “slushy” snow afterward.

Some salt remains after plowing because the plow blades ride slightly above the road surface.

Yes. All roads, streets, dead ends, and cul-de-sacs will be cleared. Crews work continuously and return to complete remaining areas as soon as possible.

Parking is not allowed on City streets between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. from December 1 to March 31. Clear streets are essential for safe and efficient snow clearing. Please plan ahead and park elsewhere during these times to avoid a ticket.

Corner properties often receive more snow because plows must clear multiple directions at intersections. This is a normal result of keeping intersections open and safe.

• Keep vehicles off the street so plows can pass safely.

• Stock up on food, medications, and household essentials for 48 hours.

• Charge cell phones ahead of storm.
• Check in with your neighbours.

Q : My neighbour is placing snow from their property onto the road causing an obstruction, is there a by-law that regulates this? 

A : Yes, the City of Owen Sound’s Snow and Ice Removal By-law No. 2008-046 states that no person, firm or corporation shall deposit or cause to be deposited snow or ice upon any highway within the boundaries of the Corporation of the City of Owen Sound from any private property. Any person who removes snow from private property on to City property is subject to a fine set out in the Provincial Offences Act.  

Q : My neighbour is placing snow from their property onto my property, is this a by-law violation?

A : No, the City of Owen Sound’s Snow and Ice Removal By-law does not regulate snow removal from one private property to another private property. This would be considered a civil matter between both neighbouring properties and the By-law Enforcement Division could not provide assistance in this matter.  

Q : What is the parking restriction for the winter months in the City of Owen Sound? 

A : The Traffic By-law No. 2009-075 states that parking is prohibited on any highway between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. during the period December 1 to March 31.

Q : Who enforces the overnight winter parking restrictions since these are outside of the By-law Enforcement Division’s hours of operation?

A : The Owen Sound Police Service enforces the overnight winter parking restrictions; they can be reached at 519-376-1234 for non-emergency enforcement calls such as this

Q : I don’t have enough space in my driveway to park my vehicles during the winter. Where in the City can I park overnight during the overnight winter parking restrictions? 

A : There are designated and marked overnight parking stalls in Lots 5 and 9 which are available on a first come first serve basis. Only the designated stalls are permitted for overnight parking. If parked overnight in an unmarked parking stall, a parking ticket may be issued and/or the vehicle towed at the owner’s expense. An overnight parking permit must be purchased and displayed in a visible place on the vehicle while parking overnight in the designated stall. Overnight parking permits can be purchased at the Service Counter at City Hall and the Owen Sound Transit Terminal

Q : Are there any noise exemptions for snow-blowing my driveway early in the morning or late at night?

A : Yes, the City of Owen Sound Noise By-law No. 2001-034 has an exemption for noise created by the activity of snow removal. This applies to City removal of snow on roads as well as private properties