Back to SearchWhen 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 their sidewalks of snow and ice 24 hours after a snowfall. By working together, we can give residents safe and accessible transportation routes to get where they need to go.
Snow removal
The City of Kitchener is responsible for winter road maintenance including plowing, sanding and salting. 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 process
Snow Events are declared when credible weather forecasts predict a significant snowfall. Snow Events trigger the tag-and-tow process, 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 can also be towed if a snow operator is unable to get down a street and contacts enforcement staff on patrol.
Sign up on our webpage, www.kitchener.ca/snow, using the green "subscribe to page updates" button to the right to be notified when a Snow Event has been declared, cancelled or extended, or follow the City of Kitchener’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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
We all have a part to play to make sure our roads and sidewalks are clear and accessible this winter. 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.
For more information:
Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications and Marketing
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca
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