If you are a property owner in the City of St. Catharines, it is your responsibility to clear the full width of sidewalks. You must clear to bare pavement the front of, beside of and at the rear of your property within 24 hours after a snow or ice event.
Report an unclear sidewalk
If you believe a street or sidewalk has not been cleared to meet our service response targets, please fill out our Snow Removal Reporting Form. We will review after priority snow-removal efforts have been completed.
Fines for not clearing sidewalks
If you do not clear your sidewalks within 24 hours, property owners will be fined $10.75 for every metre of sidewalk that is not cleared. View our Sidewalk Snow Removal By-Law to learn more.
Snow removal service for seniors and persons with physical disabilities
The City will help remove snow from your sidewalk if you are a senior or person with physical disabilities and own a property in the City. The service consists of snow removal from City sidewalks fronting and abutting your home. This is not for removal of snow from windrows created by snow plows, driveways or any walkway to a home.
How to apply
Complete our Sidewalk Snow Removal Application Form to enroll in the program. Please submit your application by November 30, 2022.
Sidewalk snow removal tips
To make it easier to clear snow on your sidewalk, you can:
- Shovel as soon as possible after a snow fall
- Spread salt onto the sidewalk to prevent snow from sticking to the concrete
- Spread sand in low temperatures (below -12 degrees Celsius) to allow for traction until the temperature rises enough for salt to be used
Friendly reminder from the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Accessibility (MACOA)
Winter can be a difficult time for persons with disabilities to get around the community. People who use mobility devices along the sidewalks, accessible parking spaces and connecting pathways when snow and ice are on the ground. Your attention to the clearing of snow and ice, and in keeping these areas safe and accessible is greatly appreciated.