Snow Removal and Clearing
The City’s Winter Control program focuses on clearing and maintaining roads and designated sidewalks to support safe travel during winter conditions.
Select an information block below to learn more.
Updates are also available through the Snow Clearing Activity Report.
For regional road conditions, traffic cameras, and construction updates, visit Durham Region Traffic Watch.
Interactive Winter Operations Map - Service Notice
The Interactive Winter Operations Map is currently experiencing a display issue and may not reflect real-time road conditions. Winter operations continue as normal.
Province-Wide Salt Shortage - January 2026 Update
Like many municipalities across Ontario, the City of Pickering is managing a province-wide road salt shortage following several significant snow events earlier this winter. While the City maintains a reserve of salt, it must be used carefully to help ensure supplies last through the remainder of the season as additional options are explored.
To support conservation efforts while maintaining safe travel conditions, temporary adjustments may be made to winter maintenance operations. Snow plowing typically begins once approximately 5 centimetres of snow has accumulated, with priority given to major roads and emergency routes during active snowfall. Salt may be applied later in a storm when conditions allow it to be most effective, with post-storm cleanup continuing after snowfall events.
In some areas, a blend of salt, sand, or other de-icing materials may be used to improve traction and extend available supplies. As a result, residents may notice increased use of sand on roads and sidewalks.
These measures reflect practices being used across Ontario in response to current supply conditions. Winter operations will continue to be adjusted as needed based on weather, road conditions, and material availability.
Sidewalk, Parks & Roads
Sidewalks
In accordance with Ice and Snow Clearing By-law 6650/06, as amended, property owners are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall.
To assist City staff clearing sidewalks, please do not park your vehicle over the sidewalk as it impedes our sidewalk clearing machines and is dangerous for all users. In addition, the stopping of a vehicle over a sidewalk is prohibited under the Traffic and Parking By-law and vehicles found in contravention could be subjected to a fine.
The City salts and plows sidewalks in the following locations:
- on regional roads
- fronting municipal parks or property such as City Hall and Fire Halls
- fronting Public or Catholic Schools
- on sidewalks that are on rear frontages (such as Dixie Road)
- on street-to-street walkways
- on some sidewalks which are adjacent to curb (i.e. no boulevard)
- on crosswalks and some pathways through parks
- within the designated downtown core
View the Interactive Snow Clearing Map to track progress of City snow clearing operations. For sidewalk updates, select the SIDEWALK option in the bottom left corner when the map opens.
Parks
Most municipal parks, with the exception of some parking lots, are not maintained in the winter, so paths and walkways running throughout are not cleared or salted. No winter maintenance signs are posted accordingly to advise users.
Roads
Pickering is divided into 13 urban routes and 2 rural routes, clearing each within a Priority Routing System. Priority Routes are identified as Collector (Main) roads and carry higher volumes of traffic. These are the roads people use to get to business areas, hospitals and in and out of the city. Bus routes are also considered priority routes. The "local" roads are primarily residential and these are systematically plowed after the Priority Routes are completed. New for the Seaton Community are “Mews” or Laneways which require specialized vehicles to clear snow due to their narrow width.
View the Interactive Snow Clearing Map to track progress of City snow clearing operations.
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