Edmonton’s snow season can be a long one. With the first snowfall of the year usually coming sometime in October and spring snowstorms in April and May not out of the ordinary, Edmontonians deal with their fair share of snow.
The potential for snowstorms in eight months of the year means Edmonton property owners need to be aware of the added responsibilities that regular snowfall brings. That includes knowing what residential snow and ice removal you’re in charge of.
What areas around your property are you required to clear following a snowfall? What are the expectations when removing snow and ice from those areas? What happens if you don’t remove snow and ice in a timely fashion?
Those are important questions – questions you should know all the answers to if you’re a property owner or occupant in Edmonton.
Below is a breakdown of everything you need to know as a resident of Edmonton about the city’s snow removal bylaws.
EDMONTON’S SNOW & ICE REMOVAL BYLAW
The snow and ice removal responsibilities of Edmonton property owners and occupants is laid out in the city’s Community Standards Bylaw 14600.
According to Section 7 of the bylaw, “a person shall maintain any sidewalk adjacent to land they own or occupy clear of all snow and ice.”
WHAT SNOW & ICE REMOVAL IS REQUIRED OF YOU?
So, what does that mean for you? Firstly, the bylaw doesn’t specify a timeframe for clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to your property. However, the city of Edmonton requires you to clear your sidewalks as soon as possible.
What exactly does “clear” mean in this instance? The expectation is that snow and ice is removed to the surface of the sidewalks, and that their entire width and length is cleared.
Sand, gravel and ice melt can be used while clearing snow and ice from residential sidewalks, but only as a temporary measure.
For those who are unable or require help to clear snow and ice from their residential sidewalks, the city of Edmonton has a Community Snow Removal Program you can contact.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T CLEAR SNOW & ICE?
If you fail to meet the standards of snow and ice removal laid out by the city of Edmonton, you put yourself at risk of being issued a ticket for violating Bylaw 14600.
The fine for not properly clearing your residential sidewalks is $100. You’ll also be invoiced for what it costs the city to clear the snow from around your property, which is based on a set price with an external contractor and the amount of snow that needs to be cleared. If the invoice is left unpaid, the outstanding sum is applied to your property tax.
The city isn’t required to issue a warning before giving you a ticket for failure to adhere to its snow removal bylaws, which is why you should clear the sidewalks adjacent to your property as soon as possible after a snowfall.
If you’re ticketed for violating Edmonton’s snow removal bylaw and invoiced for the subsequent sidewalk clearing, you have the option to both dispute the bylaw charge and request a review of the invoice.
