Answering Your Questions About Snow Removal

How does the City determine which streets to plow first?

The City of Brampton clears its roads on a priority system. Arterial roads (such as Main Street and Bramalea Road) are cleared first followed by collector roads, and then local roads. Arterial and collector roads carry high volumes of traffic and allow emergency vehicles and public transit to move safely throughout the City. Local streets and courts carry lower volumes of traffic. A local road may be treated in the same manner as a collector road if it receives permanent Brampton Transit/Züm service or has a Peel District school. Learn more about winter service levels, and track progress on the Brampton Plow Tracker.

How do I determine the service level on my street?

To determine your street's priority level, search your address using the Brampton Plow Tracker, where you can also check the snow clearing progress during a winter event.

During major winter events, when can I expect my street to be plowed?

During major winter events, City crews must concentrate on keeping arterial and collector roads clear. Upon the end of a snowfall, crews move onto local streets and courts. We do our best to maintain municipal roads and sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of snowfall. It may take longer if weather conditions are severe as plows may be reassigned from local streets to higher volume roads.

How does the Brampton Plow Tracker work?

Each snow plow and sidewalk clearing machine is equipped with a GPS device that transmits information regarding snow clearing operations. Sensors on each vehicle capture whether or not the plow blade is touching the ground and/or if the salt spreader is active. Some areas of the city are hand-cleared, and therefore cannot be monitored using this system. Form more infromation, reference the detailed user guide.

Why does the Brampton Plow Tracker show recent service long after the snow event has ended?

The City of Brampton’s service level is to plow local streets/courts once during a weather event with at least 5 cm of snow. Do not expect to see bare pavement on local streets/courts during the winter season. Consult various levels of service.

My street was plowed, but why is there still snow on the ground?

Does the City of Brampton remove snow from the bottom of the driveways?

The snow left at the bottom of the driveway after crews have cleared the travelled portion of the road is unavoidable. Works crews do not go back to remove the pile of snow (also called a "windrow"). The homeowner is responsible for clearing the snow.

Why did the plow only clear one side of my street?

The plow travels with traffic on the right side of the road and can only direct the snow off the right side of the truck. This means the plow can only make right turns, and you may see the plow clear only one side of your street before they are able to safely turn around and plow the other half of the street. Please be assured that we will return to clear your entire street.

Why does it seem as if courts are plowed last?

Due to their shape and varying size, courts are plowed by a front-end loader, not a plow, when snow accumulates to at least 5 cm during a single winter event. Front-end loader routes are only completed once arterial and collector roads are complete.

When does the City remove snow piles from courts?

Snow is plowed to the centre of courts during major snowfalls. Snow is removed when there is not enough storage area for the snow event, or when there is not enough room for emergency vehicles to maneuver.

Does the City repair damage done by plowing operations?

The City will first conduct an investigation to determine if the City is responsible for the damage. If the City is responsible, our standards are as follows:

Boulevard – The City will use asphalt to repair the driveway portion of the boulevard. The City will not restore driveway boulevards finished with interlocking brick, patterned concrete or concrete/wood curbs.
Sod – Unfortunately some sod damage is unavoidable due to either the lack of snow windrows to guide the equipment operator or the size of equipment needed to effectively clear the snow. Damage is usually minor when the sod is frozen. When the sod is not frozen, damage can be extensive. In some cases, the sod removed is overgrowth growing onto the sidewalk. The City will schedule sod repairs when topsoil/seed/sod is available, usually in the spring.
Rural Mailboxes – The City will replace the mailbox with a standard rural mailbox.

To report damage, contact Public Works at 311 (TTY for hearing impaired 905.874.2130).

Why is it prohibited to park on the street during a snow event?

Parked vehicles can prevent snow removal crews from clearing the roads in a timely and efficient manner. Vehicles obstructing snow removal operations are subject to a fine and may be towed at the owner’s expense. If parked vehicles are a problem on your street, contact Parking Enforcement at 311.

I was given permission to park my vehicle on the street overnight, but I still received a parking ticket during a snow event, why?

During the winter season, residents are reminded that overnight parking permits are void if there is a snow event. For more information, contact Parking Enforcement at 311.

Which sidewalks does the City clear?

City-cleared sidewalks include those:

On roads like Main Street and Bramalea Road (arterial roads)
In front of City parks and recreation facilities
Curb-faced (example: no grass boulevard)
Behind a property (reverse frontage)
On a road with Brampton Transit/Züm bus stop locations with permanent transit service
To search by address for sidewalks that are City-cleared, use the Brampton Plow Tracker map.

Non City-cleared sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner to clear of snow and ice. Failing to clear your sidewalk by 11:00 a.m. the day following a snowfall could result in a fine under a City By-Law. For enforcement of sidewalk snow clearing, contact By-Law Enforcement at 311.

Who is responsible for clearing ice and snow from private parking lots and plazas?

Privately owned lots and plazas are the responsibility of individual property managers. If snow from a private lot is plowed onto a City street, the property management company may be subject to a fine. To report snow piled on a street, contact By-Law Enforcement at 311.

Who is responsible for clearing snow around Canada Post Super Mailboxes?

Canada Post is responsible for clearing the snow and ice around Super Mailboxes. Contact Canada Post at 1.800.267.1177.

Who is responsible for clearing snow from fire hydrants?

The Region of Peel is responsible for clearing snow from fire hydrants. However, property owners are strongly encouraged to clear snow from fire hydrants on or around their property to ensure Brampton Fire & Emergency Services can quickly gain access in the event of a fire. To report a fire hydrant that requires clearing, contact the Region of Peel at 905.791.7800 ext. 4409.

Who clears the snow in new subdivisions?

As soon as a home is occupied in a new subdivision, the developer is responsible for notifying the City of homeowner occupancy to determine which streets require snow removal. If you live in a new subdivision and you feel you have been missed, contact Public Works at 311 (TTY for hearing impaired 905.874.2130).

Who is responsible for removing snow/ice from City of Brampton parks and recreation facilities?

The City of Brampton Parks Maintenance & Operations is responsible for removing snow/ice from pathways, walkways and parking lots in City of Brampton parks and recreation facilities. Contact Parks Maintenance & Operations at 311.

What should I do when a snow-covered catch basin is causing flooding during a thaw?

Residents are encouraged to clear snow-covered catch basins or to notify Public Works at 311 (TTY for hearing impaired 905.874.2130).

How should I place my garbage and recycling out for collection during the winter?

Residents are encouraged to place their garbage and recycling back from the curb to allow snow and waste collection crews to work effectively. If the amount of snow on the boulevard is too high or too much to properly place waste bins then in the middle of the driveway opening is recommended. For additional information on waste collection, visit the Region of Peel’s Waste Management web page.

Does the City provide assistance to seniors and the physically challenged with clearing their driveways and sidewalks?

The City provides a Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program to assist senior citizens and physically challenged homeowners with costs incurred from hiring a contractor to remove snow from their sidewalks and driveways. For more information on this program, visit Snow Removal Financial Assistance Program.

My family/friends do not speak English, what can I do to help them understand Brampton’s snow removal operations?

Information about our snow removal operations is available in 12 different languages in the Multilingual Services section of the website. The City also offers residents the option to speak with an interpreter when calling for assistance. For more information, click here.

Did we answer your question?

For more information, contact Public Works at 311 (TTY for hearing impaired 905.874.2130).

Related Links