Winter maintenance on streets and sidewalks

When cold weather is forecasted, our essential workers in Engineering services begin planning consistent and coordinated efforts for snow and ice treatments on priority routes around the city.

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Snow and ice treatment locations

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We have over 100 vehicles and equipment for snow and ice treatment along with 3000 tonnes of salt at our yards, and hundreds of personnel available to deploy as required.

Our priority locations for snow and ice treatment are:

  • Major roads
  • Bus routes
  • Emergency access routes (including five major hospitals and two health care facilities)
  • Bridges and viaducts (roads, sidewalks, and staircases)
  • School routes
  • Four key pedestrian pathways
    • False Creek Seawall (from Burrard Bridge south side to north side)*
    • Coal Harbour Seawall (from Burrard St to Alberni St)
    • Arbutus Greenway
    • Central Valley Greenway*

*Sections of these routes are adjacent to private property and are cleared by the property owner as per the Street and Traffic By-law

  • 16 most-used bike routes
  • Arterial bus stops and corner ramps

The following are not included in our snow response:

  • Residential side streets (excluding locations on priority routes)
  • Sidewalks adjacent to non-City owned property
  • Laneways (unless required for City collection operations)

We'll treat locations as resources allow to reduce further impact.

The Vancouver Park Board

The Vancouver Park Board’s snow and ice control schedule ensures major park access roads, primary parking areas, and perimeter and direct internal park pathways in the downtown area are maintained.

Shovel your sidewalk

Vancouver property owners and occupants are responsible for removing all snow and ice from the full width of sidewalks in front of and, if on a corner lot, alongside their property each day by 10am when there is snow on the sidewalks or freezing temperatures.

 If you don't clear snow and ice by 10am the next day after snowfall, you may get a $250 fine. If snow and ice stays there for over 24 hours, the fine could be $750.

To keep our sidewalks and streets safe for people walking, cycling, and driving:

  • Shovel snow onto your property, away from the road and sidewalk by 10am every day
  • Clear storm drains of leaves and snow to prevent flooding
  • Ask someone to clear your sidewalk if you're away or unable to or request a Snow Angel

Owners and occupants who fail to remove snow and ice according to Traffic By-law 2849, section 76 may be subject to escalating tickets, fines, or both.

There is no requirement in the by-laws for snow to be cleared from private property, whether residential or commercial.

On March 31, 2021, City Council approved recommendations to increase the priority for pedestrians during winter weather including:

Review the Council report (379 KB), the Snow and Ice Treatment Policy (110 KB), and Traffic By-law 2849, section 76 below for more information.

Snow and ice concerns

Report sidewalks not cleared of snow and ice

Report non-emergency snow and ice on sidewalks in front of houses and businesses.

Report snow and ice on City streets and sidewalks

Report non-emergency snow and ice on streets and sidewalks in the city.

Volunteer as a Snow Angel

Help seniors and people with limited mobility clear their sidewalks after a snowfall.

Weather report

Get the local weather forecast so you know when to expect and plan for snow.

Shift into winter

It's easy to forget that winter driving is different. Shift into winter with preparation and driving tips from the Winter Driving Safety Alliance.

Volunteer to help in an emergency

Learn how you can volunteer for public events, emergencies, disasters, and help others prepare for an emergency.