Changes Coming to Snow Removal

Council has approved updates to the Urban Snow and Ice Control Program Policy that will help crews clear streets faster, improve public information, and reduce delays caused by illegally parked vehicles. These changes come after a challenging 2025-2026 winter. Residents told us they wanted more reliable service, clearer information, and stronger enforcement when illegally parked vehicles prevent crews from doing their work.The updated policy focuses on reducing avoidable delays, improving service, and giving residents better visibility into where maintenance has happened in their neighbourhood.

Along with updates to the Roads and Transportation Bylaw, four key changes will be introduced this winter to help crews work more efficiently and keep streets clear.

Ticketing
Stronger enforcement helps keep roads clear so that crews can complete maintenance more efficiently and avoid delays. Vehicles parked illegally during winter maintenance operations will be ticketed. The parking fine has increased from $120 to $400. Residents who pay within seven days will receive a reduced fine of $240.

Towing
Last winter, illegally parked vehicles caused significant delays to winter maintenance operations, and in many cases, prevented crews from accessing streets that were scheduled for maintenance. Under the updated policy, vehicles parked illegally may be towed to the nearest available lawful parking location, such as a nearby street without parking restrictions in place. This will help crews continue their work without lengthy delays and stay on schedule.

Public notifications
A new public Winter Maintenance Zone progress map will be available this season to improve the visibility of the work completed each day. Search your street to see whether it has been maintained or delayed – and the reason why. The new map provides a simple way to check progress in your neighbourhood and understand any delays.

Extreme Weather Response Plan
The updated policy includes a formal Extreme Weather Response Plan with clear operational triggers. This ensures crews can shift resources and access contractor support quickly during extreme weather events. When an Extreme Weather Response is activated, the regular Winter Maintenance Zone schedules may be temporarily paused so that crews can respond where they are most needed. Additional parking restrictions may be put in place to help get streets cleared as quickly as possible during extreme weather events. Public updates will be shared at least one day prior to the activation of the extreme weather response and any accompanying parking bans. 

For the first time, the policy establishes formal timelines for winter maintenance zone service under normal weather conditions, giving residents clear expectations.

Weather conditions, operational demands, equipment availability, and other factors may affect these timelines.The updated policy also confirms that winter maintenance zone operations will continue throughout statutory holidays and school breaks when necessary, helping maintain consistent service throughout the winter season. These schedules may be modified as needed to maintain operational efficiency and to respond to changing weather conditions.

Priority route categories have been renamed for high-traffic streets outside of the WMZ program. This will make winter maintenance updates, maps and service information easier to understand.
The priority routes are now:

• Priority One (vs. Primary)

• Priority Two (vs. Secondary)

• Priority Three (vs. Tertiary)

Use the updated maps or use the Find Your Zone tool on rmwb.ca/wmz to check whether your street is a priority route. To learn more about changes to the policy, check out our Frequently Asked Questions at rmwb.ca/wmz.