Snow and Ice Removal

During cold weather, both the City and residents play an important role in keeping roads and sidewalks safe.

When it snows, the City clears snow and treats ice with salt (and sometimes sand, depending on the temperature). Snow removal follows a priority system. Main roads and emergency routes are cleared first. Residential and side streets are only plowed once the main routes stay consistently clear.

Key information about City snow operations

The City’s Operations and Parks teams maintains about 114 km of roads as well as select sidewalks and parks, and snow is cleared based on a priority system.
It may take several days for crews to reach side streets and residential areas, depending on conditions.
Cul-de-sacs are difficult for large plow trucks to navigate, so they may not be plowed.
Salt is in high demand during winter. The City keeps a supply for road and sidewalk safety but cannot provide free salt to residents.
Service levels for snow removal depend on available staff, equipment, supplies and budget.
Under Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw 2377, residents and businesses must clear the public sidewalks next to their property as soon as possible after snowfall, and no later than 10:00 a.m.

Snow clearing information for residents

Snow clearing does not remove snow—it moves snow away from the roadway to make travel easier and safer. Below are some tips for dealing with snow buildup on your sidewalk or roadway:

Avoid parking on the street to make way for snow plow equipment.
When shovelling snow, pile it onto your lawn instead of on the road or sidewalk.
Do not pile snow around fire hydrants. Blocking hydrants can cause serious delays when they are critically needed.
Place garbage containers in cleared areas—not on snow piles. Missed a waste pickup? Visit pittmeadows.ca/waste.
Clear snow and ice away from catch basins. This allows water from melting snow and ice to flow freely into storm sewers.
Be a ‘snow angel’ and support your neighbours who may need help with snow and ice removal.

Relevant Policies

Safety and Preparedness Tips:

Plan ahead when snow is in the forecast.
Pick up essentials early, such as groceries, fuel and mail.
Reschedule appointments to reduce travel.
Adjust your commute if possible.
Review your household emergency preparedness plan.
Find local extreme weather shelters in Maple Ridge:https://smap.bchousing.org/Home/Search

Frequently Asked Questions

Sidewalks and pathways bordering your home or business property must be cleared by 10 a.m.
As per the City of Pitt Meadows’ Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw 2377, it is the responsibility of all owners or occupiers of residential or business property to remove snow, ice or rubbish from sidewalks, stairs, ramps and foot paths bordering their property no later than 10:00 a.m.
Failure to comply with this bylaw may result in a $100 fine.
Minimize vehicles on public and residential roadways. This prevents your car from being snowed in by the snowplows and allows the City to keep the roadways clear.
Be a good neighbour and support those who may need help with snow and ice removal or may need help getting groceries, medications or other necessities. In particularly, check on those who have mobility difficulties, as they may be unable to get out of their home due to the snow and ice.
The City clears roads on a priority basis:
High Priority: Major streets, emergency routes, transit routes, and collector streets that are designated as high priority. Main routes include Harris Road, Hammond Road and Old Dewdney Trunk Road.
Lower Priority: These zones are cleared only after high priority routes are consistently clear. This includes school zones, collector roads and residential streets.
If at any time there is new snowfall, crews must return to high priority roadways until those areas are clear and work their way back down the priority schedule.
Maps:
- Urban Snow Clearing Map
- Rural Snow Clearing Map
Snowplows only move snow off the roadway, so there will be snow buildup along the side of the road, on sidewalks and across driveways.

Snow that freezes cannot be plowed. Due to the demands on our crews in the other areas, it may be several days before residential streets are plowed. During this time, the snow may freeze, in which case it cannot be plowed and can only be treated with saltor sand for traction until the ice melts.

If garbage pickup is missed due to the snowy conditions and the truck is not able to access your bins, contact:
- Missed garbage/green waste collection: Contact Waste Management at 1-800-774-9748.
- Missed recycling collection: call GFL/Recycle BC at 604-282-7967.
Check for waste collection schedule impacts at pittmeadows.ca/notices.
- Each resident in Pitt Meadows is responsible for clearing sidewalks and pathways bordering their property by 10 a.m. after a snowfall, per the City’s Boulevard Maintenance Bylaw 2377. Not clearing sidewalks is subject to warnings and potential fines.
- The City clears sidewalks on municipal and park properties on a priority basis, beginning with municipal properties, then park sidewalks, then pathways within parks. Similar to the road clearing priorities, crews do not move to other sidewalks until the priority areas are clear.
- Sidewalks on municipal properties are cleared as per the City Sidewalks Snow and Ice Policy C097.
- Sidewalks bordering school property are the responsibility of the School District No. 42.
- Sidewalks on business and multi-family property are the responsibility of the business owner or strata.

Key information about City snow operations

Snow clearing information for residents

Relevant Policies

Safety and Preparedness Tips:

Frequently Asked Questions

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