Snow clearing and winter parking

Snow clearing standards

The City of Welland follows provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards, which set consistent, safety-based expectations for how municipalities respond to winter weather.

These standards guide how roads are cleared based on their classification, from major arterial roads to local residential streets. Roads with higher traffic volumes are addressed first, while local residential streets can safely remain snow-covered longer during a storm.

For local roads, the standards allow for up to 10 centimetres of snow accumulation before plowing is required, with up to 24 hours permitted to complete plowing once conditions allow. During significant weather events, response times may be extended to support safe and effective operations as crews work through the city.

Snow clearing operations

Each winter, the City of Welland clears approximately 315 kilometres of roadways and maintains six sidewalk clearing routes covering about 78 kilometres of sidewalks across the community.

Snow clearing operations follow provincial standards and use a coordinated, city-wide approach to support safe travel and pedestrian movement throughout the winter season.

Road clearing priorities

Roads are cleared according to their role in the transportation network, including:

• arterial roads
• collector
• local residential streets

This priority system helps ensure that higher-traffic routes are addressed first before crews move into residential neighbourhoods, supporting safe travel while making the best use of available resources during winter weather.

Sidewalk clearing

Sidewalk clearing in Welland is a shared responsibility. The City maintains six sidewalk clearing routes that focus on key corridors and priority areas throughout the community to support safe pedestrian movement during winter conditions.

Property owners also play an important role. Under the City’s Sidewalk Snow Clearing By-law 2008-185, owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering their property within 24 hours after a substantial snowfall.

Snow clearing equipment

To manage winter operations across the city, the City of Welland uses a combination of City-owned and seasonal equipment, including:

• 10 snowplow trucks
• 6 sidewalk clearing units
• 10 City-owned loaders
• 3 rental loaders used during winter operations
• 1 grader

This equipment allows snow clearing operations to continue across roads and sidewalks under a wide range of winter conditions.

What to expect after a snowfall

Every snow event is different. Weather conditions, snowfall amounts, wind, and temperature all affect how quickly snow can be cleared.

To respond safely and effectively, snow clearing operations are planned and adjusted throughout each storm. City staff monitor conditions before, during, and after snowfall, adjust operations during heavier or prolonged storms, and continue clearing routes as conditions improve.

If a significant weather event occurs, response times may be extended to ensure safety.

Winter parking and snow clearing

Parking plays an important role in allowing snow clearing equipment to operate safely and efficiently.

Parking or permitting a vehicle to remain parked on any roadway that interferes with snow clearing operations is not permitted.

For snow clearing purposes, a roadway includes:

• streets, roads, and avenues
• parkways and driveways
• any area intended for or used by the public for vehicle travel

Vehicles left on the roadway during snow clearing operations may be ticketed.

When parking is allowed
Once a roadway has been adequately cleared and no further snow clearing operations are required, on-street parking may resume where it is normally permitted and not restricted by signage.

Snow clearing tips Frequently asked questions