Windrow Clearing Program

We've expanded our snow windrow clearing service to include more than 44,000 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. 

Snow windrow clearing begins after road plows begin their routes and may take up to 13 hours to complete after the end of a snowfall. Times may vary depending on the length of the storm, snow accumulation and time of day (e.g. rush hour). You can visit RichmondHill.ca/RHPlows to track our plows online.

For the latest news on our winter maintenance activities visit RichmondHill.ca/WinterUpdates.

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 away 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. 

Please note:

• Windrows created by sidewalk plowing operations are not part of the windrow clearing program.
• Residents are responsible for clearing snow that may fall back onto the driveway after the windrow machine has passed.
• If there are any obstructions at the end of a driveway that may interfere with operations (i.e. vehicles, landscaping features, basketball nets, decorative stones) the windrow will not be cleared. 

How to Opt Out of the Snow Windrow Clearing Service

If you do not wish to receive the City’s snow windrow clearing service, you now have the option to opt out. Every year, before the start of the winter season, you can submit your opt-out request online. Once the request deadline has passed, City staff will place a Richmond Hill branded reflective marker at the end of your driveway within two weeks, so our plow operators can identify that you do not want your windrow cleared.

Driveway markers should remain in place all winter. Staff will return to remove the marker in the spring.

Winter 2021/22 Opt-Out Requests

The Wednesday, December 22 deadline to opt out this winter has passed. 

Please note…

• You will need to submit your opt-out request every year before the start of the winter season. After winter 2021/22, the annual request deadline will be November 15.
• Once you have opted out for the season, you cannot opt back in if you change your mind. Some exceptions will be made (i.e. change of home ownership).
• If you share a driveway entrance with your neighbour, you can still opt out even if your neighbour wants to receive the service.
• If your Richmond Hill branded driveway marker is damaged or stolen, please contact Access Richmond Hill at 905-771-8800 or access@richmondhill.ca and staff will replace it.
• Weather can be unpredictable and as a result the City may still clear your windrow if it snows enough to require plowing operations very early (before driveway markers are installed) or late (after driveway markers have been removed) in the season.   
• In extreme winter conditions such as blowing or deep snow, it may be difficult for plow operators to see driveway markers, which may result in your windrow being cleared.

Inquiries can be directed to Access Richmond Hill at access@richmondhill.ca or 905-771-8800.

Regional Roads

York Region Government maintains main arterial roads that run through Richmond Hill such as Yonge Street, Bayview Avenue and 16th Avenue. Snow windrow clearing service is not provided to these streets.

Did you know...

• Council was able to deliver this expanded service while still achieving the lowest tax increase in the GTA in 2020 and a tax freeze in 2021
• In between services and in the offseason our windrow operators are deployed to support enhanced service in our parks and trails system