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The majority of sidewalks in Edmonton are maintained by the property owner (individual or business) adjacent to the sidewalk. For properties on a corner, the property owner is required to maintain the front and sides. Property owners are also required to maintain the curb ramp (also known as a curb cut) to ensure all users can safely use the sidewalk.
Reminder: Shovelling or pushing snow from sidewalks into roads or alleys violates municipal bylaws and results in a fine of $250, contributes to unsafe driving and walking conditions, increases the cost of providing winter road maintenance and can lead to blocked storm drains.
Sidewalks cleared by the City include those around public schools and City facilities or buildings, such as recreation centres or City Hall.
The City does not have the council approved resources to clear sidewalks in most residential or commercial areas.
Some walkways are designated as “unmaintained” during the winter months. These include walkways within parks where no City programs are offered.
Sidewalks on Public Utility Lots (PUL) rights of way (undeveloped grassland) or adjacent to Municipal Reserves and Parkland are not cleared if they do not connect pedestrians to a major roadway or bus stops near buildings, multi-use paths and river valley trails.
This map shows all sidewalk and multi-use pathways cleared by the City.
Snow and freeze/thaw cycles can result in hazardous conditions on walkways and sidewalks. These conditions are a safety concern for everyone — particularly for those with limited mobility, service providers and waste collectors.
Property owners should remove snow and ice as soon as possible, especially during days of continuous snowfall and during freeze/thaw cycles. As residents of a winter city, we need to be considerate of the impact snow-covered and icy sidewalks have on our neighbours and fellow citizens.
Failure to maintain your sidewalks could result in a $100 fine plus potentially any cleanup costs.
Free sand is available at participating community leagues and Roadway Maintenance Yards.
The expectation is that all snow and ice be cleared to the cement/asphalt for the entire width and length of the sidewalk. Sand, gravel and/or ice melt can be laid as a temporary measure while the snow and ice is being removed.
The Community Standards does not provide a timeframe for snow removal. The bylaw states “A person shall maintain any sidewalk adjacent to land they own or occupy clear of all snow and ice“. Snow and ice is to be removed from the sidewalks as quickly as possible.
If you or someone you know requires support removing snow and ice from their residential sidewalk, email communitysnowtogo@edmonton.ca.
If you are charged with a Bylaw offence you may request a review of your file if you feel you have a valid defence to the charge or if you feel there are significant mitigating circumstances to be considered.
Tickets can only be disputed in court or through the municipal prosecutors' office. Please follow the instructions on the ticket or follow the process on the Municipal Prosecution page to make a request for a file review.
There is no formal dispute or appeal process for the snow/ice clearing invoice. Files will be reviewed on a case by case basis, please review the criteria and submit the request form.
The ticket is a bylaw offence for failing to remove snow and/or ice from the sidewalk. The invoice is for the cost of the snow/ice removal on the sidewalks adjacent to your property. The City sent a contractor to remove all snow and ice to ensure the safety and accessibility for all pedestrians.
The snow/ice clearing is a set price based on a contract with an external contractor which is based on the width, length and depth of snow and ice on the sidewalk.
The charges are applied to the tax roll.
Once the work is completed, the charges are applied to the legal property owners tax roll. For multiple owners at a property the charges are divided equally and applied to every legal property owner. Condominium fees are not part of the City's review and should be discussed with the condominium association.
Warning notices and door hangers are not required under the bylaw. They are given as a courtesy or friendly reminder to the property owner of a violation on the property and the need to clean up the sidewalk. Not receiving a warning notice or a door hanger will not void the ticket and/or the snow clearing charge.
Information pertaining to an invoice will only be released to the owner of the property. Individual agreements between the landlord and tenant are not part of the City's review and must be solved between the landlord and tenant.
Property owners with snow clearing invoices can request a review. This is not a submission for lodging complaints and reference 311 for making complaints.
Free sand is provided during winter weather to use on your icy sidewalks and walkways. Remember to bring your own container when you visit your local community sandbox or roadway maintenance yard. We aim to refill sandboxes within 5 days following the end of snowfall.
City Roadway Maintenance Yards
Please do not drive into the yard. The sandboxes for public use are always located just outside the yard.
Neighbourhoods that have never had a sandbox previously and would like one must contact their community league.
The community league must call 311 to make the request on behalf of the neighbourhood.
For neighbourhoods with no community league, residents can call 311 directly to make the request.
At this time, sand is not available at Ambleside Eco Station. Alternatively, sandboxes have been added to Heritage Park and Ride for citizens use.
Sand is located outside the fence. Please do not drive into the yards.
Immediately stop shovelling and seek medical attention if you experience:
| Telephone | In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
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| TTY | 780-944-5555 |
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