Frequently Asked Questions

In response to public feedback and City Council approval*, the City is adjusting snow clearing practices. Changes include:

• Starting in winter of 2022/23, Phase 1 declaration of snow routes and implementation of plowing to the right on approximately 25 km of selected roadways
• Starting in winter of 2023/24 and continuing into winter of 2024/25, begin Phase 2

*Please see the background planning documents and links on this page to review the related public engagement process, results, presentations and City Council proceedings.

In the winter of 2023/24 and 2024/25, Phase 2 incorporate the feedback and operational considerations gathered to deliver a service level change affecting a broader network of streets and roads in the city. The larger network of snow routes (approx. 83 kms of roadway) includes some existing snow routes and the addition of new residential collector roads. This season, snow routes will be activated citywide in the case of heavy snow events and more residential areas will be plowed. In addition to building community awareness and notification tools, the City will also support compliance with temporary on-street parking restrictions with parking enforcement.

They will be cleared after Priority 1 at the same time as priority 2 routes.

The City’s Transportation department will assess weather forecasts and snow accumulation to decide if snow routes should be activated. The weather can change quickly in our region, and less snow may fall than predicted. When this happens, plows may not come to the area and an announcement will be made that snow routes are no longer active.

Removing windrows from all roadways is not possible with City’s infrastructure and equipment. When snow is removed, it has to be hauled and placed in a melting site. This is resource extensive and thereby limits the amount of streets that could be cleared. Leaving the snow at the side of the road is 25X less expensive than removing it and enables more roads to be plowed, more often.

• Direct delivery postcard or letter to all properties adjacent to the snow routes
• News release and City of Lethbridge social media channels
• Notifications to declare snow route status 
• Snow routes will be marked with an additional blue snowflake tab attached to the existing snow route parking signs – we ask the community to be aware of these signs during the winter and look for snow route notifications before parking near them during winter

When parked vehicles impede the operations of snow plowing and removal, it creates inefficiencies including longer times to clear individual roads, less roads able to be cleared with existing equipment, and ultimately additional cost to snow control efforts in Lethbridge. Awareness campaigns, clear information, and notifications are all tools to help the community take action and avoid parking tickets.

Snow routes will be marked with an additional blue snowflake tab attached above the existing snow route parking signs – please confirm snow routes status before parking near these signs in winter.

Winter weather fluctuates greatly in our region and snow routes can become active any time during the season. Snow routes are activated and on-street parking restrictions go into effect whenever snow creates unsafe driving conditions, as determined by City Transportation Operations.

Enforcement will begin 24hrs after snow routes are declared active because plows will start to work in the areas shortly after. Residents are encouraged to be proactive and remove their vehicles from the street as soon as snow routes are activated. Once on-street parking restrictions are in effect, all vehicles on affected roadways must be moved off the street until the City announces that snow routes are lifted, and parking can resume.

Once on-street parking restrictions are in effect, all vehicles on affected roadways must be moved off the street until the City announces that Snow Routes are lifted, and parking can resume. Snow plows often return to the same locations multiple times to ensure the snow is cleared as thoroughly as possible. If you are unsure if you can resume on-street parking, check City announcements on social media or in the News Centre, sign up for notifications with the Lethbridge Loop app (for Phase 1 addresses) or call 311 to confirm status.

School areas (not necessarily school zones), around the hospital and downtown will not be plowed to the right because of safety concerns. Parking restrictions will not be in effect for these areas - look for the blue snowflake on snow route signs to indicate where parking restrictions do apply. These areas will remain their designated priority snow removal as deemed necessary.

This means that your vehicle was parked on an active snow route. The City of Lethbridge would like to provide a period of adjustment for those who live and park on Snow Routes. This is not a ticket, but it is a reminder to stay up to date snow route notifications to avoid tickets in the future.

See Parking Information and Complaints (lethbridge.ca) for more information.

In Lethbridge, the intent of the Snow and Ice Control program is to:

• Reduce the hazards of winter conditions for motorists and pedestrians;
• Minimize economic loss to the community; and 
• Facilitate the operation of Transit and Emergency Service vehicles. 
• Additionally, it aims to create acceptable winter driving conditions for vehicles that are properly equipped for winter driving and are operated in a manner consistent with good winter driving habits.

On your property, away from your house and the road. Pay attention to placement of shoveled snow piles: 

• Will wind blow the pile back on your driveway, the road or your neighbors? 
• Is it so close to the road that it will create a safety hazard or get pushed back on your property with the next plowing? 
• When it melts, is it far enough away from your house to protect your foundation from seepage?  
• Do not blow or shovel snow from driveways and sidewalks onto the road or you may be subject to fines. 

Here are some things you can do: 

• Pile any snow from your sidewalk or driveway in a spot that is away from other structures, won't blow onto your neighbor's property, and is not causing further snow build-up on the street.
• Don't park or leave any vehicle on the street on an active snow route. Be proactive and make a parking plan. 
• Be a snow angel and shovel for a neighbor who can't (or just because). 

Please call or chat online with 311 customer service specialists. 

Please note: The feedback form on this page is only intended to collect information from citizens. 

This new service is an amendment made to Phase 2 of the Snow and Ice Control Changes, approved July 9, 2024 by City Council, designed to help residents who need extra mobility support during the winter. When snow routes are activated, snow is plowed to the right of the roadway, creating a windrow along curbs and driveways. This windrow can be especially difficult to navigate for residents who face mobility challenges. The service can help by creating a passage in the windrow at the driveway, or if no driveway exists, at the curb near an on-street parking location.

The program runs between November 1 – March 30

It can take up to 3 days after a snowfall has ended for your windrow opening to be created. If a faster level of service is required, or if you need your entire driveway cleared, you may prefer to hire a private snow clearing company as part of your property maintenance. 

Windrow openings are created only once after snow routes are plowed.  

If you have a driveway, the service creates enough space for one car to pass through the bottom of your driveway (approximately 3 m)

Excess snow is deposited along the curb of the property or flattened in front of the driveway

If you do not have a driveway, an opening in the windrow at the curb in front of your home can be created (approximately 2 m) so that residents can access the sidewalk from on-street parking. 

Excess snow is deposited along the curb or on the boulevard of the property

Only one windrow opening will be created per property parcel 

The homeowner is still responsible for clearing sidewalk and private pathways to the roadway 

This service not apply to properties on private or non-municipal roads.

Windrow snow clearing doesn’t clear to bare pavement, in order to limit damage to existing sod and hardscapes materials. 

Residents are advised that large equipment used in creating windrow openings can damage landscaping features that are close to the roadway – please consider if this service is suitable for your landscape and property features.

Please read the service details to determine if the services meets the needs of your household. If a faster level of service is required, or if you need your entire driveway and pathways cleared, you may prefer to hire a private snow-clearing company as part of your property maintenance or identify family, friends, or neighbours who can assist with shoveling.

It can take up to three days after a snowfall has ended for your windrow opening to be created - thank you for your patience. If you are subscribed to the service and your passage was missed, please call 311 with your information an inspection can be issued and the service can be improved for future events.

There is no additional cost to the resident to sign up for the Windrow Assistance Service. The service is resourced through the budget allocated to snow and ice control with the intention of creating equity to those who are disproportionately affected by the changes. The total cost of delivery will be more fully understood by the end of the 2024/25 winter season and included in a program review to City Council.

Snow route residents are encouraged to learn about the service and if applicable, call 311 to register. Residents who signed up during the early sign up window will be included in the program beginning November 1st. 

The sign-up window has been extended to allow late sign up throughout the season. To ensure adequate resources can be allocated, there may be a waiting period from the time of registration to when the household actually receives the service. Call 311 for further information on sign up details.