Winter Operations 101: Windrow-clearing

March 6, 2022 10:00 a.m.
​What you need to know about the City’s windrow-clearing service


The City of Vaughan’s winter crews are on the job! Learn everything you need to know about the City’s efficient, reliable and high-level windrow-clearing operations for the 2021/22 season.

What is windrow clearing?

The City provides windrow-clearing service to all residential driveways in Vaughan. Windrow machines are designed to clear a portion of snow from the driveway entrance so a car can drive through. Due to the limited size and reach of the windrow-clearing units, they can only clear a portion of the driveway entrance. The service does not clear laneways, windrows left by sidewalk plows, hardened snow, ice or the entire driveway. 

Watch this video to see a windrow-clearing machine in action.

When does the City clear windrows?

Within four hours after the plow has passed, the residential windrow-clearing machines will clear a portion of the driveway entrance to allow a car to pass through.

What could impact City service levels?

  • Heavy snowfall (10 or more centimetres) or major storms, including Significant Weather Events
  • Parking on the street during or immediately after a snowfall
    • Residents and visitors of Vaughan are reminded to keep cars off the street while snowplows are clearing the road. Read more about this by-law (PDF).
  • Landscaping features, such as fencing, basketball nets, decorative stones, pots or bird baths on sidewalks or roadways
  • Garbage, recycling and composting bins placed on top of or behind snowbanks
    • Waste bins should be set back from the curb approximately one metre and placed on the right-hand side of the driveway to allow crews to safely collect waste and the City to clear the snow effectively in residential areas.

Stay informed!

For more information on the City’s winter maintenance service levels, visit vaughan.ca/snow. For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:

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