Winter Reminders

On-Street Parking

From December 1st to March 31st parking is prohibited on all streets between 2 am and 5 am in accordance with Traffic & Parking By-law 6604/05. Officers proactively patrol the city throughout the winter months and enforce for this infraction. Set Fine amount is $50.

Vehicles parked on the road during snow clearing operations are subject to being ticketed and/or towed (at the owner's expense). Set Fine amount is $90.

During snow clearing operations, it is important that snow windrows are pushed back as far against the curb as possible to maintain at least a 5 metre width on all roads. Parked cars not only slow operations, but generate a lot of cleanup after the snow has stopped, as the remaining windrow after the car has moved needs to be addressed.

Windrows

It is the resident's responsibility to clear the snow left by the plow at the end of their driveway (known as a windrow). Residents are required to shovel the snow from the windrow onto their boulevards and not back onto the road. Property owners could be subject to a fine under the Ice and Snow Clearing By-law 6650/06 for placing snow on the road or sidewalk.

Operators do their best to minimize windrows and we understand how frustrating this can be for our residents who have just cleared their driveway, but unfortunately it is unavoidable and we appreciate your understanding. By using the Interactive Winter Operations Map, you will see when the roads have been plowed to start clearing your driveway. If you have to clear your driveway before the plows arrive, shovel the snow to the downstream side of your driveway in order to minimize the amount of snow that will be pushed back in.

Important Information About Windrow Snow Clearing

We understand that clearing the snow left at the end of your driveway after a plow passes - known as a “windrow” - can be frustrating. However, windrow clearing is an exceedingly rare service across Ontario due to its high costs as well as generally warmer winters due to climate change. Currently, it remains the responsibility of residents to clear their own windrows.

In 2023, a detailed report was presented to Council to explore the feasibility of adding windrow clearing for residential driveways. Two potential options were considered:

Option 1: Contracting the service externally at an estimated $7.4 million per year (2023 data).
Option 2: Running the program in-house, including start-up and maintenance costs, with an estimated Year 1 cost of $19.8 million (2023 dollars).

Both options would represent a significant and ongoing financial burden, which would only increase as the City continues to grow. Most municipalities across Ontario do not offer this service because of these costs and the unpredictability of winter conditions year to year. March 2024 saw 20 degree weather, and we’ll see above average temperatures for the remainder of this week as well.

We recognize that some residents compare our services to those in Toronto, where a limited number of streets receive windrow clearing. However, this service was grandfathered in during the amalgamation of Toronto and only applies to select areas within the boroughs of Etobicoke, North York, East York and Scarborough. The vast majority of Toronto residents do not receive windrow clearing - just as is the case in Pickering and most other Ontario municipalities.

Given the economic climate, inflation, and rising service costs, the financial impact of implementing windrow clearing would be even greater today than the figures presented in the 2023 report. While we continue to assess and refine our snow clearing operations, we remain committed to delivering responsible, efficient, and sustainable services within available resources.

We appreciate your understanding as we work to balance service levels with fiscal responsibility.

The City recognizes the unique challenges windrow clearing presents for people with permanent physical or cognitive disability, and offers a snow clearing service in order to assist them with their sidewalk snow clearing responsibilities, and access to their home. Following the 2023 Report to Council, this program was enhanced to accommodate up to 750 eligible applicants.

Please see our website or ask a member of our team for more details on this program: https://www.pickering.ca/property-roads-safety/parking-roads-and-driveways/snow-removal-and-clearing/seniors-and-persons-with-disabilities-snow-clearing/

Bus Shelters and Super Mailboxes

Bus shelters are cleared by a contractor on behalf of Durham Region Transit. Issues relating to the clearing of bus shelters can be reported through the Customer Comment Form on the Durham Region Transit website.

Snow clearing operations on the roadside and boulevard surrounding super mailbox sites during the winter months is completed by Canada Post. A service request for snow clearance can be submitted through their website, or by calling 1.844.454.3009.

Intersection Cameras

Visit the Region of Durham Traffic Watch for intersection and highway cameras, road works, and more.

Ontario 511 App

For traveller information, visit https://511on.ca

Contact Us

One The Esplanade
Pickering, Ontario
Canada L1V 6K7

905.683.7575

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