A by-law is a rule or law that is put in place by the City of Timmins to ensure that our community remains safe and orderly. The City of Timmins Enforcement Services Division is responsible for enforcing our by-laws. Staff enforce by-laws by investigating complaints and responding to the concerns of citizens.

Each month, we'll explore a different by-law and what it means for you. This month, we're looking at the City's Snow By-law 1993-4162

It’s a Snow Day!

Living in the North, we are familiar with snow. Talk about “snow storage” and “snow removal” and “snow plowing” takes over any discussion of potholes for at least 5 months of the year. At some point during the winter, where to pile all that snow from your driveway and entry way can become a real concern. The urge to push it away from your property, onto or across the road, may become great … but don’t do it!

Did you know that depositing snow from your property onto the road is against the law? Section 181 of the Highway Traffic Act forbids a person from pushing or piling snow onto the roadway. The City of Timmins has doubled-down with our own Snow By-law that forbids a property owner from depositing snow on municipal highways including streets, roads, laneways, and sidewalks.

Snow way!

“Why would pushing snow onto the road be an issue? After all, the City has plows to take care of it.”

We do have plows … and graders, loaders, and sanders with underride plows and a Public Works Department that is tasked with maintaining our roads as per the province’s Minimum Maintenance Standards … and that’s where the snow by-law comes in. When you deposit snow onto a road or street, you create an additional driving hazard for motorists. In essence, you’re undermining the City’s maintenance efforts.

The snow by-law also prohibits people from piling snow on your property beside a road or sidewalk in a way that obstructs the sidewalk or road and / or impedes sight lines for motorists and pedestrians. Plan to store the snow from your driveway or entryway in an area on your property that leaves the road and sidewalk clear.

Snow Removal

Residents who push snow from their own property onto a city road or sidewalk would be in violation of By-law 1993-4162 and could be fined under the Provincial Offences Act by a member of our municipal Enforcement Services team.
Since snow storage can become an issue, the City offers use of its Spruce St. snow dump location free of charge to residents using a a half ton truck and trailer only (anything larger will require a permit) to remove snow.

If you have concerns about snow being incorrectly deposited on the street or road in your neighborhood, you can call Service Timmins at 705-264-1331.

Click here to learn more about the City’s Snow By-law 1993-4162.