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City of Kitchener cancels its first Snow Event of the season. Learn how to get ready for winter

KITCHENER— The City of Kitchener is cancelling the current Snow Event effective immediately. All priority streets are plowed, and the parking ban is lifted.

Ready for winter

When the weather forecast predicts a big snowfall, City of Kitchener operations staff move into action. The City clears snow and ice on 550 kilometres of roads every winter, as well as sidewalks around City-owned facilities, walkways and parks.

Kitchener residents are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks around their property. By working together, we can give residents safe and accessible transportation routes to get where they need to go.   

As the City delivers its snow removal program during COVID-19, the pandemic may impact service levels. We ask community members to be patient as the response to COVID-19 means adapting to changing work practices and, in some cases, reduced staffing levels. We thank you for your patience as we work to keep our residents and staff safe and continue providing service that matters. 

Snow removal

The City aims to complete all snowplowing priority streets in 24 hours after a snowfall. Priority 1 streets include major arterial roads, Priority 2 streets include major collector roads and Grand River Transit routes and Priority 3 streets include residential streets. Staff work through each priority route after all respective streets have been cleared.

To help with snow removal on city streets, please place garbage and recycling in the driveway area and not on the roadway on your collection day.

Snow Events and tag-and-tow bylaw

Snow Events are declared when credible weather forecasts predict a significant snowfall. Snow Events trigger the tag-and-tow bylaw, which prohibits parking on city streets so crews can clear them. Please avoid parking on city streets so crews can plow the streets safely and efficiently.

The ticket for parking on the street during a Snow Event is $80. Vehicles are towed at owners' expense.

Learn when Snow Events are declared on the City of Kitchener’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, by email by subscribing for Snow Event advisories and in the media.

Overnight parking

From Dec. 1 to March 31 from 2:30 to 6 a.m. there is no overnight parking permitted on any city street, whether or not there is snow on the streets or snowplows are in operation.

During this period, residents can apply for overnight parking exemptions. Up to five parking exemptions per license plate may be issued allowing a vehicle to be parked overnight between 2:30 to 6 a.m.

Clearing sidewalks of snow

Sidewalks are for everyone. The public is responsible for keeping sidewalks around their property free of snow and ice within 24 hours after a snowfall. Do your part to keep our community moving safely.

Bylaw officers proactively inspect sidewalks citywide. If a sidewalk is not cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after a snowfall, a bylaw officer will leave a notice at the property and return after 24 hours to re-inspect the sidewalk.

Homeowners can pick up free sand for icy sidewalks and walkways at sandboxes located at specific locations throughout the city. Please bring your own shovel and container to collect the sand. Find free sand near you.

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For more information:

Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications and Marketing
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca