Snow Clearing

• Sanding operations shall commence within four (4) hours when snowfall accumulation under approximately 4 cm has occurred.

• Snow clearing will commence within four (4) hours when approximately 4 cm or more has accumulated.

• Once snow clearing / plowing of Priority 1 routes commences, all routes within this category within twenty-four (24) hours after the snow event has ceased shall be cleared of snow and ice generally from the edge of road to edge of road (curb to curb) or around parked vehicles and other objects to ensure that the largest extent of the road has been reasonably cleared.

• Additional snow clearing (widening) along these routes may occur once all other priority and secondary routes have received initial snow clearing response.

• Snow removal may be initiated when compacted snow on the road is sufficient to impede the flow of traffic, causes drainage concerns, or when windrows along the side of the road become excessive as determined by the Chief Administrative Officer. The Town will assume no liability whatsoever for damage to obstructions or landscaping of any kind placed or developed within a road right-of-way without a permit.

• Sanding operations shall commence within twenty-four (24) hours when snowfall accumulation under approximately 4 cm has occurred.
• Snow clearing will commence within twenty-four (24) hours when approximately 4 cm or more has accumulated.
• Once snow clearing / plowing of Priority 2 routes commences, all routes within this category within forty-eight (48) hours after the snow event has ceased shall be cleared of snow and ice generally from the edge of road to edge of road (curb to curb) or around parked vehicles and other objects to ensure that the largest extent of the road is reasonably cleared.
• Additional snow clearing (widening) along route will occur once all other priority and secondary routes have received initial snow clearing response.
• Snow removal may be initiated when compacted snow on the road is sufficient to impede the flow of traffic, causes drainage concerns, or when windrows along the side of the road become excessive as determined by the Chief Administrative Officer. The Town will assume no liability whatsoever for damage to obstructions or landscaping of any kind placed or developed within a road right-of-way without a permit.

Snow and ice control operations are activated when the road is rendered impassable, poses significant safety concerns, drainage is impacted, extenuating circumstances exist, or when compact snow exceeds 25 cm. When this happens, snow operations for Priority 3 areas use the zone map to move through neighbourhoods.

Here's what you need to know about Priority 3 snow and ice control:

• When snow and ice control operations are activated, routes in this category are sanded and bladed flat to minimize rutting; however, snowpack of varying depths may be left in accordance with what is required to minimize driving difficulty and when extenuating circumstances exist.
• The Town will assume no liability whatsoever for damage to obstructions or landscaping of any kind placed or developed within a road right-of-way without a permit.
• The transportation team is in constant communications with Emergency Responders to ensure access is available throughout the community.

The Town of Okotoks pathway system consists of primary and secondary pathways. Primary pathways (red) are main pedestrian corridors that collect from a series of secondary pathways (black) to facilitate pedestrian movement from residential to commercial areas. Okotoks Town Council has determined that primary pathways will receive snow clearing as part of an overall pathway strategy to improve pedestrian movement year round.

To facilitate active transportation, primary pathways are cleared once snowfall accumulation of approximately 2 cm or greater has occurred and is completed with twenty-four hours after the snow event has ceased.  With the exception of December 25, 26 and January 1, primary pathway snow clearing is a 7 day service from November 1 through March 31.

Pathway & Sidewalk Snow Clearing Map

Snow clearing on sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Where sidewalks border parks, the Town provides the snow removal. Where sidewalks border businesses and residences, the private property owner is responsible. Sidewalks not cleaned may be subject to a fine.

The excerpt from Traffic Bylaw, Schedule A is as follows: “All persons within the Town of Okotoks shall remove and clean away, as soon as possible, and in any case within 24 hours, all snow, ice, dirt or debris and other obstructions from the sidewalk adjoining the premises owned or occupied by them.”  Pushing snow onto public roads is also not permissible under the Traffic Bylaw.

Additionally, to ensure proper drainage and prevent ice buildup, the curbline must also be kept clear of snow and debris, allowing meltwater to flow freely into storm drains. 

If snow or ice on the sidewalk cannot be removed, the property owner or responsible party must apply sand or a similar material to improve traction.
Once weather conditions allow, they must fully clear the sidewalk of snow, ice, and any remaining debris.
The property owner responsible for sidewalk maintenance may be held liable for any personal injury or property damage caused by failure to remove snow, ice, dirt, or other obstructions.

For information contact Municipal Enforcement or call Transportation at the number below.

Snow Stockpiled Against Homes

Avoid any seepage issues with your home. It is good practice for homeowners during the winter and spring months to check all sides of their homes and remove any stockpiled snow against foundations - especially snow stockpiled near basement window wells. North and east sides of homes will be the worst (little winter sun exposure).

When snow is plowed along identified routes, it is moved to the sides, clearing the driving and parking lanes. This process often results in piles of snow, known as windrows, which can accumulate in front of driveways on snow-cleared routes.

Property Owner Responsibility
Clearing windrows in front of your property is the responsibility of the property owner, as outlined in the Town's Traffic Bylaw. While the Town strives to minimize the impact of windrows, it is important to note that windrows left by snow-clearing equipment, including those in front of driveways, must be managed by the affected individual, company, or corporation.

Flat-Blading on Priority 3 Routes
On Priority 3 routes, Town crews may use a process called "flat-blading" to create smoother driving surfaces. While this improves road conditions, it may also result in larger windrows along the sides of the road.

There has been a general consensus of most citizens that given the nature of a normal winter and the number of “Chinooks” we experience, hauling snow away unless absolutely necessary is an inefficient use of tax dollars and resources. When hauling snow is deemed necessary, it is hauled to the Town's temporary snow storage facility.

The current location of the Town’s temporary snow storage facility is located at the Okotoks Community Campus grounds. Snow that is removed by the Town is hauled to and stockpiled in this area. The location is strategically located to provide easy access to main routes, which ultimately leads to reduced hauling times when snow is being hauled to the site from all locations within town.  

The snow storage facility is continuously monitored for safety reasons. The facility is not accessible to the public or private contractors due to ongoing repair work we are engaged with, as well as storage limitations. 

To assist with icy sidewalks during the winter months, the Town of Okotoks is offering free sand to its residents. Residents can pick up sand at the Eco Centre.  Sand is also available at both fire halls located at 132 Milligan Drive, and 98 Woodhaven Drive.

The sand will be available for as long as it's required during the winter months; residents are asked to bring their own bucket. 

In extreme snow events, additional resources may be engaged to assist with snow clearing efforts.  Graders are normally deployed to assist to widen out roads further.  Occasionally and only in extraordinary circumstances, snow is removed from identified streets. This is normally only done when roads become impassable, rutting becomes extreme, or drainage is significantly affected. The transportation team is in constant communications with Emergency Responders to ensure access is available throughout the community.

While they appear fun in a child’s mind, snow piles on the edge of roadways are unsafe.  Please keep children from playing on or in snow piles that have accumulated around town. Snow piles are unstable and there is a danger of them collapsing. There are also concerns of children sliding down onto the road and into traffic.

Winter fun is available! Visit our outdoor skating rinks and tobogganing hills page to learn about these facilities located on public lands throughout town. These amenities are free for public use and a great way to keep your family safe while staying active during winter. The tobogganing hills are inspected for hazards but are not groomed. Helmet use while sledding and skating is strongly recommended.