A lot of people move here and figure the City looks after the sidewalk out front. It does not. In Grande Prairie the sidewalk beside your property is your responsibility, and the City asks you to clear it within 24 hours of the most recent snowfall or ice. If you are new to town, or you just never thought about it, here is what you need to know before the first real dump of snow.
The short version: clear the snow and ice off the public sidewalk beside your home within 24 hours after it stops snowing, keep that snow on your own property instead of pushing it into the street, and call 311 if you have questions. If you do not clear it, you can be fined under the City’s Traffic Bylaw.
Whose sidewalk is it?
The City’s snow and ice policy says sidewalks next to privately owned property are the responsibility of the owner beside them. So if the walk runs along the front of your lot, it is yours. Corner lot? That usually means the front and the side, and that is a lot more shovelling than most people expect the first winter.
The City does clear some sidewalks itself, like the ones beside parks, utility lots and other City land. Those get done during residential plowing. Everything in front of a house is on the homeowner.
The 24 hour rule
The City asks homeowners and residents to clear the snow and ice off sidewalks beside their property within 24 hours after a snowfall. The clock starts when the snow stops, not when it starts. So if it snows all night and quits at 7 in the morning, you have until about 7 the next morning.
That sounds like plenty of time, and most days it is. The trouble is the snow that sits there gets walked on, packed down, and then it turns to ice. Ice is a lot harder to get off than fresh snow. The sooner you get to it, the easier the whole winter goes.
What happens if you leave it
Under the City’s Traffic Bylaw you can be fined for not clearing your sidewalk. From what the City has said publicly, Enforcement Services starts with education first, which means they will usually let you know about it before going further. Still, nobody wants a letter or a ticket, and nobody wants a neighbour or a delivery driver slipping in front of their place either.
Where the snow is supposed to go
This is the one people get wrong the most. You are not supposed to push sidewalk or driveway snow onto the road (downtown is the exception). The City’s guidance is to put it on the sides of your driveway or onto your lawn and keep it on your property. Blowing it across the street or piling it on the boulevard by the curb can get in the way of the plows and make a mess for everyone.
If you are running out of room by February, that is normal. We wrote about it in our post on marking your driveway with snow stakes, which helps you keep the piles where they belong and off the grass edges you care about.
Do not forget the ice
The rule covers ice too, not just snow. After a mild afternoon the melt runs across the walk and freezes into a sheet by morning. Clearing the snow is half the job. A little sand or ice melt on the slick spots is the other half. If you are not sure which to use, here is our breakdown of sand vs ice melt and what each one does to concrete, lawns and pets.
Tips to keep up with it
- Clear early and often. Two quick passes during a long snowfall beat one big fight with packed snow at the end.
- Get down to the concrete. A thin layer left behind is what turns into ice.
- Watch the end of the driveway. Where your driveway meets the walk is where people slip the most.
- Plan for when you are away. Work trips and holidays do not stop the snow. Line up a neighbour or a contract before you go.
Common questions
How long do I have to clear my sidewalk in Grande Prairie?
The City asks residents to clear sidewalks beside their property within 24 hours after the most recent snowfall or ice.
Can I push the snow onto the street?
No. Outside of downtown, keep it on your own property, on the sides of your driveway or on your lawn.
Can I get fined?
Yes. Under the City’s Traffic Bylaw you may be fined if the sidewalk is not cleared, though the City has said it starts with an education first approach.
Who do I call with questions?
Call 311 or email the City at info@cityofgp.com. The City also posts snow clearing updates on cityofgp.com.
Do your snow plans include the sidewalk?
Our Standard and Premium residential plans cover the driveway, front walk and steps, plus sand and ice melt. Call or text and tell us about your property and we will tell you what fits.
Let us keep your walk clear
If you would rather not watch the clock every time it snows, our residential snow removal plans start at $249 a month plus GST. We head out once 5 cm falls and aim to have driveways done by 6 AM. Routes are capped every year, so get a snow quote or call or text Drew at 587 818 5838.
