Snow Clearing
Plowing
When snow begins to accumulate, primary and secondary roads are cleared first to ensure that you, and emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances, can safely travel during or immediately after a snowfall.
Residential streets are plowed after snow accumulates in excess of 7.5 centimetres (3 inches). When all streets need plowing, they are to be cleared within 24 hours after the end of the storm. Heavy snowfalls or successive storms can sometimes extend this period longer than 24 hours.
Salting
Sand/salt trucks are dispatched at the start of a snowfall and at the first sign of roads beginning to ice.
Primary roads: Streets with the greatest volume of traffic, called primary roads, are salted or sanded first.
Secondary roads: Secondary roads that lead to primary roads are salted or sanded next.
Residential streets: Residential streets generally receive sand/salt treatment at intersections, hills and sharp curves.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks on primary and secondary roads are cleared only after snow accumulates in excess of five centimetres, and only after roads are cleared. Residential sidewalks are cleared after eight centimetres of snow accumulates. Sidewalks located on primary and secondary roads with schools are plowed first, followed by residential sidewalks.
Sidewalk salting and sanding is done only on primary and secondary sidewalks when extremely slippery conditions exist.
Salt Management Plan
Road salts (primarily sodium chloride) are the conventional de-icing/anti-icing chemicals for maintaining winter safety because of their cost, effectiveness and ease of handling. The amount of salt used is a function of level of service policies and budgets, the transportation network, weather conditions and operational practices. The use of salt has adverse environmental impacts. A Salt Management Plan provides the means through which an organization commits to implementing salt best management practices as it fulfills its obligation to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation systems. The Town of Oakville Salt Management Plan will continue to provide the public with the safe and efficient transportation systems they expect, while minimizing effects on the environment through prudent salt use.
Oakville Salt Management Plan 2018 (pdf)
Report snow related concerns/damage caused by plow
Call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). You can also get 24-hour information by calling the town's snow information line at 905-815-5999. To report damage caused by a sidewalk or road plow, please use the Report a Problem tool.
How you can help
- Remove snow from fire hydrants and drainage catch basins near your property.
- Remove plowed snow at the end of your driveway. Snowplow operators must push snow to the curb or shoulder, possibly covering recently shovelled driveways.
- Park vehicles off the street when possible. By-law 1984-1 prohibits parking of vehicles on town streets between 2 and 6 a.m. from November 15 to April 15.
Having guests?
Temporary On-Street Parking Permits are available for visitor/guest parking when parking requirements temporarily exceed parking provisions. Request a temporary on-street parking permit or visit the Parking Permits page for more information.
More information
Weather-Related Closures and Cancellations
Driveway Snow Windrow Clearing Program
Snow removal Frequently Asked Questions