Winter Operations Update for Thursday, Feb. 23

Feb. 23, 2023 12:00 p.m.
​City crews working to clean up from significant snowfall

Following last night’s snowfall, City of Vaughan crews are out cleaning up today.

The City continues to be under a Significant Weather Event  – road safety is the top priority in our operations.

Here is everything you need to know:

Road operations
Staff completed  city-wide salting  yesterday evening and transitioned to  plowing  early this morning. Plowing operations on main roads were completed at 6 a.m. with windrows completed on main roads at 10 a.m. Residential plowing also began this morning and is anticipated to be completed by 4 p.m. with windrows to be completed by 8 p.m. Due to the significant snowfall, there may be residual snow left by windrow machines on residential driveways. Staff will continue to monitor weather and road conditions and act accordingly.

With snow continuing to fall, crews will begin a second round of plowing on main roads. Residents are asked to leave enough space for snowplows and other snow-clearing equipment to  perform their cleanup efforts.

Sidewalk operations
Crews began full-scale sidewalk plowing and salting at 3 a.m. on main road sidewalks and have now transitioned to residential sidewalks. Clean-up efforts will continue throughout the day and into tomorrow as required.

Your role in winter maintenance
Managing snow in Vaughan is a community effort. Here are some tips on how you can help the City’s winter operations run as smoothly and safely as possible:

  • Keep parked cars off the street while snowplows are out to assist the City in ensuring streets are cleared properly and safely. On-street parking is not permitted at any time when snowplows are clearing the streets, or between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in Vaughan without a permit. Crews cannot effectively clear roads and laneways with cars parked along them. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law (PDF), on-street parking that interferes with snow-clearing operations is prohibited. Vehicles found in violation may be subject to a $75 fine or towed at the owner’s expense. 
  • Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property as soon as a snowfall has ended to help ensure roads and sidewalks remain safe, as stated in the City’s Snow-Clearing By-law 227-2022 (PDF). 
  • Remove anything that may interfere with or be hazardous to plow crews. This includes landscaping features, such as fencing, basketball nets, decorative stones, pots, bird baths, furniture and more, as stated in the City’s Encroachment By-law 034-2017 (PDF). These items should be within 30 centimetres of a sidewalk or within one metre of a street curb.
  • Be mindful of where snow is placed. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and the City’s Dumping By-law (PDF). If you have hired a contractor to plow your laneway or sidewalk, ensure they are licensed with the City and they do not leave snow on the road from their removal.
  • Stay off the roads during a heavy snowstorm unless travel is essential. You can also use York Region Transit to get around the city during inclement weather.
  • Clean snow off all surfaces of your vehicle before driving and keep a safe distance away from snowplows and salting equipment.  
  • Set waste bins back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of your driveway, where possible (when facing the home). They should never be placed on top of or behind snowbanks.
  • Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible (one metre all around). Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can slow down emergency fire response. As outlined in the City’s Water By-law 106-2022 (PDF), citizens who have a fire hydrant on their property or City property adjacent to theirs are responsible for ensuring the hydrant is always visible and unobstructed.
  • Help keep catch basins clear of snow and ice to prevent flooding during temperature fluctuations, if it’s safe to do so.
Stay informed
For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:
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