MISSISSAUGA SNOW CLEARING OPERATIONS

Disclaimer: Every snowstorm is unique in terms of time of day, time of season, duration of snowfall, rate of snowfall, density of precipitation, total accumulation, amount of snow already on the ground, back-to-back storms, and other variables. These differences could and often do have a unique impact on the general responses to the questions posed below.

FAQ is grouped under the following categories:

1. Service Levels
2. Operations
3. Roads
4. Sidewalks
5. Windrows
6. Parking
7. Damages

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1—Service Levels

1a. When the City of Mississauga talks about “snow clearing service levels,” what does this mean?

Snow clearing service levels, established by Council, refer to the time by which snow clearing operations are to be complete following a snow event. This time varies depending on the amount of snow. The “clock” does not start ticking until the last snowflake falls in the city as determined by Environment Canada. At that point, staff set the service level timing and contractors need to complete operations by that time. For example, if the city receives 15 cm of snow and the snow stops falling at 3 pm on Monday afternoon, crews have until 3 pm on Tuesday (24 hrs) to clear priority roads, priority sidewalks and bus stops and until 3 am on Wednesday (36 hrs) to clear secondary (residential) roads and sidewalks. If it starts snowing again, the previously established service level timings are reset based on the latest event following the same criteria noted above.

Read more: City of Mississauga Service Levels

1b. What happens when the contractor does not complete snow clearing operations by the time(s) established by the service levels?

This is a very rare occurrence and may be as a result of uncontrollable factors, however, the City would investigate the reason for the missed deadline.  This would involve reviewing weather reports, reviewing the plow tracking system, discussing with the Supervisor team as well as discussions with the contractor.  Based on their findings, the City may take any appropriate action according to the contract, which may include financial consequences. There are two districts each having two depots with equipment for snow clearing across the city and these depots will help each other out if some are complete and others are still finishing up.

1c. Who can residents call to report missed snow clearing on their street or sidewalk, and when?

Residents can call 311 to report missed snow clearing on their street. Please wait until after the levels of service timelines have expired before calling, as a street is truly only “missed” after that point. If it’s difficult to get through to a 311 call centre representative, please feel free to e-mail my office (after the service level timing) and I will be happy to assist. Be sure to include your name and full residential address and the nature of the snow clearing request.

 

2—Operations

2a. Why did the plow only make one pass down the middle of the street instead of pushing the snow all the way to the curb on both sides?

While this isn’t the expected or typical procedure, it’s possible that after a particularly large snowfall, plows do a single pass in order to quickly make a road accessible for motorists, fully intending to return to the street later to complete the work. This allows more people to access a plowed road more quickly.  Typically, staff will endeavour to clear the road in its entirety in one operation and not in a multi-pass to avoid confusion or future conflicts.

2b. What is the generally-accepted distance from the curb that the snow plow operator is aiming for when clearing the road, especially on “deep elbow” curves?

Operators do everything they can to plow to the curb or as close as they can.  These “deep elbows” can create issues and could require multiple passes to service them correctly.  One factor that may not permit this operation to be successful is having parked vehicles before, in or after the curve.  The operator will have to avoid the vehicle and may not be able to clear to the expected standard.

If the bend isn’t properly cleared after the service levels have expired, residents can send a request through 311 so staff can investigate the issue.  Staff will inspect the area and can send either City forces or contracted staff back to properly clear curb to curb.

2c. How can I report excessive salt use at bus stops?

If you see oversalting at a MiWay bus stop, you can report it by calling 311.

 

3—Priority and Secondary Roads

3a. Which roads are “priority” roads and which are “secondary” roads when it comes to snow clearing operations?

The City provides a map that shows which roads fall into which category. Red are priority roads; blue are secondary (or local residential) roads. You can find the map here:

https://mississauga.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=112cfe5f21b7436c981bccb7d67ac952

3b. How does the City determine which roads are “priority” and which are “secondary”?

Typically, priority roads are those that are travelled by a greater number of motorists. These roads are determined geographically (and sometimes also by operational route patterns).

3c. Why does the City make a distinction between priority and secondary roads? Doesn’t this create an inequity in terms of services?

The City identifies two types of roads so that plow operators will concentrate on the priority roads first, enabling access to a plowed road for a larger number of motorists more quickly. Property owners on secondary roads will only have to travel a short distance to get to a priority road.

3d. Why are some priority roads cleared two or three times before a secondary road is even plowed once?

Crews begin treating primary roads at the beginning of the event to get a jump start on the snow clearing operations, especially for an expected large snow event.  Plows will continue to treat the priority roads until they are cleared to bare pavement, as per our Council approved levels of service.  Once priority roads meet this criteria, crews begin working on secondary roads.

3e. Why are the Trelawny-area laneways sometimes cleared well ahead of many secondary roads even though they service far fewer properties?

Snow clearing in the Trelawny laneways is a unique process. Special equipment is needed, and the laneways are so narrow that the snow must be removed with front-end loaders and dump trucks rather than plowed to the side, like most other streets. This work is done through a separate contractor and usually the removal begins right when the snow stops, while plows on other streets are continuing to plow primary roads or just shifting over to secondaries. There are about 140 laneways in the Trelawny community, so clearing all of them from start to finish does take significant time and effort.

 

4—Sidewalks

4a. Which sidewalks are “priority” sidewalks and which are “secondary” sidewalks when it comes to snow clearing operations?

Priority sidewalks are typically those located on our priority roads, roads that have MiWay bus routes, hospitals, long-term care facilities and schools. The City provides a map that shows which sidewalks are categorized as priority (red) and are cleared by a sidewalk plow as part of the City’s snow clearing contract.  You can find the map here: https://mississauga.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=112cfe5f21b7436c981bccb7d67ac952

4b. Why did the City of Mississauga decide to clear all sidewalks instead of just priority routes?

Starting with the 2025/26 winter season, the City began clearing all city sidewalks. This was an enhanced level of service that was not only requested by a majority of residents, but also met a gap in servicing city-owned infrastructure that, prior to the change, did not meet provincial minimum maintenance standards.

 

5—Windrows

5a. What is a “windrow?”

A windrow is the pile of snow left at the bottom of a driveway after a plow clears the road. In Mississauga, snow is cleared – not removed – from the road. The plow pushes the snow from the middle of the road to the edge, along the curb and – unfortunately – in front of driveways.

5b. Why has the City of Mississauga enhanced its service by clearing all windrows from residential properties?

Starting with the 2025/26 winter season, the City began clearing driveway windows from most residential properties. This was an enhanced level of service that was requested by a majority of residents across the city.

5c. What can a property owner expect when it comes to driveway windrow clearing.

For residential homes, the City clears a part of the windrow at the end of single, double and shared driveways. The City doesn’t clear windrows for condominiums, commercial properties and homes on private roads. Residential driveway windrows are only cleared after roads are plowed.

Windrow clearing schedule only starts after plowing is finished on your street for the final time.

• Less than 5 cm: Service not required
• 5 to 15 cm: Space cleared within 4 hours
• 15 to 30 cm: Space cleared within 6 hours
• More than 30 cm or back-to-back storms: Space cleared after more than 6 hours after final round of plowing

Driveway openings will always be made at least 3 metres wide after windrow snow is pushed aside. These openings are not cleared down to bare pavement and are not treated with salt.

Watch the City’s YouTube video on windrow clearing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUVGONUKt34&t=10s

5d. What happened to the “Driveway Windrow Snow Clearing Program” offered by the City each year?

Prior to 2025/26 winter season, the City offered a driveway windrow snow clearing program for residents 65 years and older, and for persons with disabilities. The program was available to 750 participants on a first come, first served basis. The program had a cost of $200, but was free for residents who meet financial assistance criteria. When the city started clearing all windrows in 2025/26, this program was no longer needed.

 

6—Parking

6a. What parking regulations are impacted during and immediately following a snow event?

Normally, vehicles are permitted to park on the street for a maximum of 5 hours between 6 am and 2 am daily. In addition, residents receiving overnight guests (or doing minor driveway repairs) can apply for a temporary permit to park a vehicle on the street for up to five days. Both of these bylaws are suspended during snow clearing operations.

6b. Why does the City not allow on-street parking during snow clearing operations?

Vehicles parked on the road impede the ability of the plow operator to efficiently clear the snow from the middle of the road to the edge. In cases where vehicles are parked opposite each other on the road, the plows cannot pass between them, leaving the remainder of that street unplowed.  This leads to unnecessary multiple passes by plows, extending the time of the operation, wasting resources and increasing costs.

6c. How do residents know when temporary on-street parking permits have been suspended?

The City uses three main channels to alert residents to the suspension of on-street parking permissions: its website and its X feed and residents can sign up for email alerts. In addition, Councillors will often post a notification to their social media channels when they are advised by staff.  A good rule of thumb to go by: if it is snowing or has snowed recently, chances are these permits are suspended and vehicles must be removed from the street.

6d. How is on-street parking during a snow event enforced?

The City’s parking enforcement officers work with plow operators to particularly focus on occasions when a plow cannot proceed down a street due to parked vehicles on both sides. A ticket is issued to the offending vehicle(s) and the parking officer can call a tow truck to tow the vehicle to an impound yard.

New in 2025/26: The City has introduced a $150 penalty when you park your vehicle on the road during a citywide winter parking restriction.

6e. Who can I call to report a vehicle parked on the street during snow clearing operations?

If you feel comfortable doing so, the best and most effective approach is to speak to the owner of the vehicle. Alternatively, you can call 311 to report an illegally parked car, or send an e-mail to enforcement.parking@mississauga.ca. Be sure to provide as much information as possible, including the license plate, the street name and nearest intersecting street name, and that the vehicle is impeding the snow plow. Response times are often delayed during snow events.

 

7—Damages

7a. Why does the sidewalk plow damage my sod?

Sidewalk plow operators do their best to plow sidewalks within the width of the sidewalk. On occasion, due to parked cars, utilities or other encroachments, or due to human error, the plow strays from the hard surface slightly and damages the adjacent sod. Sod damage is more likely to occur early or late in the winter season, before the ground freezes or after it thaws.

7b. Who can I call to report damage to my sod by a sidewalk plow?

The soft landscaping adjacent to the sidewalk is City property and the City’s contractor is responsible for repairing damaged sod. Every winter season, the City maintains a list of addresses of people who have reported sod damage as a result of the sidewalk plow. You can report sod damage by calling 311 or through an online form here. Or, you can e-mail me and my staff will forward your address to the City to be added to the list. Be sure to include your name and full address and any related details of the damage.

7c. How long can I expect it will take for my damaged sod to be repaired?

Sod repairs are typically done in spring or fall to ensure the best chance for the grass to grow. Depending on the nature of the damage, the ripped up grass will either be replaced with new sod or grass seed will be applied to the area.  Residents are asked to water the new sod/seed.

7d. My vehicle was damaged by city equipment during snow clearing operations. What do I do?

You can file a claim through the City’s Risk Management department. The form to begin this process is available online on this page:

https://www.mississauga.ca/contact-us/filing-a-claim