Winter 101
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Don’t park on the street when plows are out to ensure your roads and windrows are cleared
Winter weather is here in Vaughan and City staff are ready to tackle the snow and ice to help keep everyone safe. The City will take care of the heavy lifting by making sure the 2,000 kilometres of roads and 1,000 kilometres of sidewalks are plowed and salted.
Residents are asked to do their part, too.
On-street parking
Crews cannot effectively clear roads and laneways with cars parked on them. Streets that are not plowed are often a result of parked cars blocking the snowplows. It is important that cars are kept off the street while snowplows are clearing the roads. This allows crews to safely carry out plowing operations and ensures the City can get the entire street cleared. Residents are reminded that on-street parking is not permitted between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in Vaughan. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law (PDF), on-street parking in a way that interferes with the movement of traffic or snow-clearing operations is also prohibited. Vehicles found in violation may be subject to a fine of $75.
Shoveling
When shoveling a laneway, remember to not dump snow from the driveway or sidewalk onto the public roadway. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road. To learn more, read the Ontario Highway Traffic Act – section 181.
Waste collection
To help ensure waste is properly collected during the winter, all materials, including Christmas trees, should be kept off the road and snowbanks. Waste should be set out on the right side of the driveway when facing the house, approximately one metre (three feet) from the curbside to avoid snowplows. For more information, or to watch the City’s winter waste video, visit the City’s Winter Waste Set Out page.
Here are some additional winter tips to help keep everyone safe:
- Clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall has ended to help ensure roads and sidewalks remain safe, as stated in By-law 300-93 (PDF).
- Make sure nearby fire hydrants are clear of snow.
- Keep catch basins and culverts clear of snow and debris to help prevent potential flooding.
- Remove anything that may interfere with or be hazardous to plow crews. This includes landscaping features, such as fencing, basketball nets, decorative stones, pots and bird baths.
- Make sure to keep sidewalks clear of overhanging cars in driveways. This will allow plows to clear the sidewalk.
- Stay off the roads during a heavy snowstorm unless it is essential. Consider using York Region Transit to get around the city during inclement weather.
- Be sure to clean snow off the entire vehicle before leaving and stay well back from snowplows and salting equipment.
For more information on the City’s snow operations, or to sign up for snow alerts, visit vaughan.ca/snow.
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