Windrow Clearing Program

The City is expanding its snow windrow clearing service to include all local, residential driveways. A snow windrow is the pile of snow left at the bottom of a driveway after a snowplow has cleared the road. Staff will remove one car’s width of the snow windrow for you, so you have a path to your street.

The official, citywide service will begin with the first significant snowfall (generally after 5 cm of snow has accumulated).

Generally, snow windrow clearing will start four hours after road plowing begins. Times may vary depending on the weather and time of day (e.g. rush hour). You can visit RichmondHill.ca/RHPlows to track our plows online.

Three things you must do to get your snow windrow cleared

1. Don’t park on the street or over the sidewalk when it’s snowing or before snow is expected. This applies even if you have a temporary parking permit. Keep the roads clear for plows and emergency vehicles – or you will be ticketed and/or towed. The safety of staff and residents is our top priority. Parking on the road during a snow event puts all our safety at risk.
2. On waste collection days, place your garbage, blue boxes and green bins one meter from the curb on the right side of your driveway (if you're facing the house). This will allow the plow to remove the snow windrow without disturbing the waste.
3. Don’t park near the bottom of your driveway. Windrow clearing can only happen if there is at least four feet of clearance between the road and your vehicle.

Did you receive snow windrow services in the past?

If you previously received our snow windrow clearing service, you do not need to apply again. You’ll automatically receive this service. You will receive a letter in the mail this fall with more information.