Streets & Sidewalks
Sidewalk Snow Clearing
Snow Angels Program
A volunteer-driven snow removal service for low-income seniors and/or people with disabilities who live in Hamilton to ensure the safety of the residents and their caregivers.
How to File
By-law Complaint for Snow
If a property owner or occupant doesn't clear their snow or ice of sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of the snow event, you can call us to file a complaint.
Your Responsibilities for Clearing Snow/Ice
The City of Hamilton’s Snow and Ice By-law No. 03-296 requires property owners and/or occupants to clear snow and ice within 24 hours after the end of a snow event from:
- sidewalks adjacent to their property
- roofs that overhang the City sidewalk
Snow clearing will be activated when accumulation is 5 cm or greater and cleared to a snow packed end condition with de-icing material as needed.
Help a neighbour, friend or family and assist those who are not able to clear the snow.
Where You Shouldn't Place Snow/Ice
For safety reasons, when clearing snow and ice, property owners and occupants must ensure that the snow and ice is not placed:
- Immediately beside or blocking access to a fire hydrant
- In such a manner that it would block drainage to any drain, sewer catch basin or culvert
- On a road or boulevard as it could interfere with traffic, cause an accident and can result in a ticket (By-law #86-77)
As snow and ice builds up on the street, clearing the area around catch basins (sewer grates), curbside gutters and drainage ditches will help to prevent flooding and property damage.
Consequences for Violations
Failure to remove and clear snow and ice may result in one or all:
- A Notice to Comply issued (A “Notice to Comply” is a document provided to the property owner/occupant that gives direction on what actions need to be taken)
- Charges up to $5,000 under the Provincial Offences Act, in addition to other court proceedings necessary to obtain compliance
- Fee for inspection costs added to your property taxes
- The City removing the snow and the costs being added to the property taxes
Property owners of vacant properties are responsible to ensure sidewalks are cleared of snow and ice.
- When clearing your driveway, consider the direction of travel of the snow plow. Move snow to the side of your property that the plow finishes on so less snow will be spread back across the driveway.
- Do not blow or place snow onto the roadway. Blow or place snow onto the boulevard or your own front/ side yard.
- Keep children off snow banks to prevent them from slipping into the path of vehicles and equipment. Do not let children tunnel into snow banks. The snow can collapse or be pushed back by snow plows.
- On your waste collection day, make sure your garbage container, blue boxes and green cart are visible. Do not place items on top of snow banks or behind snow banks where the waste collectors cannot see them.
- If it is windy on your garbage day, secure your recyclables so that items do not blow away. Place heavier items on top of lighter items. (For example, place magazines or catalogues on top of loose paper). This prevents litter on your neighbourhood streets and properties when the snow melts.
- Keep your vehicles off the road during and immediately following a snowfall. This ensures thorough ploughing of roadways and prevents your vehicle from being plowed in.
City Responsibilities for Sidewalks
The City currently clears 397 km of sidewalks across Hamilton including: sidewalks adjacent to municipally owned property, private lots which do not face the road (reverse frontage lots), Ancaster, and sidewalks adjacent to school property, owned by the Public School Boards, in conjunction with City of Hamilton By-law No. 03-296 on a charge-back basis.
The implementation of service enhancements will add 469 km of sidewalk, bringing the total amount where sidewalk snow clearing activities will be conducted to 866 km.
COMING IN WINTER 2022/2023
Beginning in November 2022, the City will implement a level of service enhancement for sidewalk snow clearing along Priority 1 roadways as well as Priority 2A roadways where transit operates and all transit stops. This level of service enhancement will further aid residents in accessing transit options City-wide during the winter months.
Residents are invited to view the City’s interactive Sidewalk Snow Clearing Map to see which areas across Hamilton are included as part of the upcoming service level enhancements.
Winter Sidewalk Snow Clearing Map
See which roads classify as transit routes and are therefore included as part of the upcoming level of service enhancement.
Hamilton Sidewalk Plow Tracker
The City of Hamilton’s Sidewalk Plow Tracking map allows you to see where our maintenance vehicles have been in the last 24 hours.
Launch Launch Sidewalk Plow Tracker
Disclaimer: We try to ensure the most accurate and reliable information is displayed on the Sidewalk Plow Tracker. However, the City assumes no responsibility for any errors and is not liable for any damages of any kind resulting from the use of, or reliance on, the information contained herein.
Looking for Snow Clearing? Learn more about Snow Clearing on Roads
What are reverse frontage roads?
Reverse frontage road means a road that is located to the rear of properties. An example can be seen below.
Who is responsible for clearing snow in front of schools?
The City of Hamilton clears sidewalks adjacent to school property, owned by the Public School Boards, in conjunction with City of Hamilton By-law No. 03-296 on a charge-back basis.
Who is responsible for clearing snow in front of residential properties?
Pursuant to Bylaw No. 03-296, property owners and/or occupants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of a snow event. If residents’ properties fall along the City’s sidewalk snow clearing route, the City is responsible.
Who is responsible for clearing snow in front of businesses?
Snow clearing on sidewalks adjacent to private property is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that snow and ice are clear from the sidewalk within 24 hours after the end of a snow event. If the property falls along the City’s sidewalk snow clearing route, the City is responsible.
What about street corners including corners of main intersections?
Residents and businesses are reminded that they are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their property, including adjacent street corners, within 24 hours after the end of a snow event.
Will roads be prioritized for winter maintenance ahead of sidewalk maintenance? Or will road and sidewalk snow clearing be completed simultaneously?
The City will activate crews and equipment to meet the required level of service for both roads and sidewalks. Roads are maintained based on priority, with the first priority being the main routes and escarpment crossings. The second priority is collector roads and the third priority is neighbourhood streets. Sidewalk clearing will be activated along Priority 1 and Priority 2 routes as per the service level enhancement and in order to meet the City’s Snow and Ice By-Law No. 03-296.
Will certain areas be prioritized for sidewalk snow clearing?
The City will activate sidewalk snow clearing crews in order to meet the approved level of service. Equipment will start on its predetermined route and clear all sidewalks on its route. For the safety of residents in your area please remember to clear your sidewalks as soon as possible after a snowfall.
How soon after a snowstorm can I expect the clearing of all sidewalks the City is responsible for to be completed?
The sidewalks the City is responsible for will be addressed 24 hours after the end of a snow event.
The City of Hamilton’s Snow and Ice By-law No. 03-296 requires property owners and/or occupants to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property and roofs that overhand the City sidewalk, within 24 hours after the end of a snow event . If I’m along the City’s sidewalk clearing route, do I still need to shovel the section myself?
No, residents/occupants who live along a City sidewalk snow clearing route are not required to shovel the section of sidewalk adjacent to their property themselves, as City plows will
How were the new routes determined?
Routes were determined based on transit system revisions, growth and changes in property ownership inclusive of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board properties.
The City clears sidewalks along roadways where transit operates. What if transit routes change?
In order to ensure clearing routes continue to remain up to date with transit system revisions, growth and changes in property ownership inclusive of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board properties, City staff will report back to Public Works Committee on an annual basis prior to the commencement of winter operations with updates to the routes.
Date modified
December 13, 2022