Snow Plowing and Snow Removal

Priority Level 1

We will begin plowing after 5 to 8 cm of snowfall for priority level 1 areas. View our Interactive Winter Maintenance Mapping to see what areas are included. Priority Level 1 is red on the mapping. Priority level 1 will receive the following services:

• We will remove snow within 6 to 12 hours of the end of the snowfall (except for sequential snowfall events)
• Maintain roads to bare asphalt, where feasible
• Apply salt as needed

Priority Level 2

We will begin plowing after 8 cm of snowfall for priority level 2 areas. View our Interactive Winter Maintenance Mapping to see what areas are included. Priority Level 2 is orange on the mapping. Priority level 2 will receive the following services:

• We will remove snow within 12 to 16 hours of the end of the snowfall (except in sequential snowfall events)
• Maintain the area to bare asphalt, where feasible
• Apply salt as needed

Priority Level 3 and 4

We will begin plowing after 8 cm of snowfall for priority level 3 and 4 areas. View our Interactive Winter Maintenance Mapping to see what areas are included. Priority Level 3 is purple and Priority Level 4 is green on the mapping. Priority level 3 and 4 will receive the following services:

• We will remove snow within 12 to 16 hours of the end of the snowfall (except in sequential snowfall events)
• Maintain the roads to snow-packed condition
• Apply salt as needed

Rural Roads

Winter maintenance to the rural roads is not a 24 hour service. In the event of overnight snow, we usually deploy snow plows at 4:30 am. We will begin plowing rural roads after 8 to 10 cm of snowfall. 

View our Interactive Winter Maintenance Mapping to see what areas are included. Rural roads will receive the following services:

• We will remove snow within 16 to 24 hours of the end of the snowfall (except in sequential snowfall events)
• Roads will be maintained to snow-packed conditions
• We will apply sand and salt to the road as needed

Placement of Snow on Municipal Right-of-Ways

Residents of the Municipality of Port Hope are reminded that, pursuant to section 181 of the Highway Traffic Act and our Traffic By-law: No person shall deposit snow or ice on a roadway without permission in writing to do so from the Ministry or the Road Authority responsible for the maintenance of the road R.S.O 1990, c.181. Placing snow and ice on roads can interfere with road maintenance and safety. 

Sidewalk and Crosswalks

We will begin snow removal on sidewalks and crosswalks after 8 cm of snowfall. View our Interactive Winter Maintenance Mapping to see the areas we clear (please select the layer list in the far right corner and click on "sidewalks" to see this layer). We will prioritize sidewalks in the downtown area and around schools. We provide the following snow removal services:

• We will clear the sidewalks and crosswalks within 48 hours of the end of the snowfall (except in sequential snowfall events)
• Sidewalks are maintained to bare conditions, where feasible
• We will apply salt as, as needed

Please note:

Sidewalks outside of the areas indicated in the Interactive Winter Maintenance Mapping are the responsibility of the property owner. Port Hope's snow clearing by-law gives property owners within the Heritage Business Improvement Area 6 hours from the beginning of a snowfall event to clear snow and ice from sidewalks that surround their property. All other property owners have 48 hours from the beginning of the snowfall to clear the sidewalks. It is the property owner's responsibility to use safety salt or sand on ice and slippery surfaces if necessary.

Bridges, bus shelters, and accessible parking spaces

We will clear snow from bridges, bus shelters and school crossings. We also remove snow from accessible parking spaces and crosswalks within the heritage district.

Sand mix bin locations

We offer free sand mix over the winter season to help residents keep their driveways and sidewalks clear of ice and snow. The bins, which are red and marked with the word "sand", are maintained and filled regularly by our team for use by residents of the Municipality.  

Sand Bin interactive map

These bins can be found throughout the Urban area of the Municipality at the following locations:

• Clayton Lane at School
• Clayton Lane at Hill
• Browns Lane
• Hagerman Street
• Thomas Street between #11 & #15
• Thomas Street at Walton Street
• Thomas Street at dead end (off Gifford Street)
• Gifford Street at #12
• Ross Street
• Pine Street South at Augusta Street
• Catherine Street at Elizabeth Street
• Pointer Lane
• Alexander Street at Hayward Street
• Harris Street
• Water Works Filling Station
• Oliver's Steps
• King Street at Jacobs Ladder
• Mill Street at Jacobs Ladder
• Harcourt Street at the laneway
• Harcourt Street
• Ward Street Steps
• Dorset Street East at Anglican School
• Roseglen Road at the corner of Dorset Street E
• Barrett Street at the laneway
• North Street at the Dead End
• Craig Street
• Ravine Drive at # 11
• Lyall Place
• Centennial Drive at Crossley Drive

Mailboxes are the responsibility of the property owner. The Municipality does not clear the snow around mailboxes or guarantee any service levels for rural mail delivery. It is the property owner's responsibility to ensure that all rural mailboxes be installed to the Canada Post requirements for rural delivery. Standard metal mailboxes are replaced if damaged by the Municipality's equipment; however, the Municipality does not accept responsibility for damages caused by the impact of snow on a mailbox during our regular snowplow operations. Mailboxes and mailbox posts should be constructed and maintained to withstand the impact of snow from snowplow operations. If your mailbox is damaged by a direct plow hit, please contact our office to place a maintenance work order. Mailboxes that cannot be repaired will be replaced with a standard metal mailbox.

As per section 3.5 of the By-Law 68-2017 - Hydrant Obstruction and Interference

During winter months, all citizens shall clear snow from around the Fire Hydrant nearest to their homes to help the Operating Authority in maintaining visibility and accessibility to Fire Hydrants, unless alternate arrangements have been made for snow removal to the satisfaction of the Municipality of Port Hope.