Winter Road Services
Winter Maintenance Plow Status
During snow storms, Markham's Winter Maintenance App* will show the progress of road and sidewalk plows in Markham. Residents can watch as snow clearing efforts start with primary roads and then move to secondary roads, local roads, and sidewalks to help keep Markham moving.
*This link should be used for information purposes only.
Stay Updated During a Storm or Emergency
- Listen to Markham’s local radio station 105.9 The Region.
- Follow the City of Markham on Facebook and Twitter.
- Call our Contact Centre for live updates during an emergency or severe weather conditions at 905.477.5530.
- Winter Operations Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
- Outdoor Ice Rinks
In addition to the Markham Civic Centre outdoor ice rink, five outdoor public skating rinks are open for the Winter season, pending weather conditions.
- Winter Parks Pathway Maintenance Program
The Winter Parks Pathway Maintenance Program totals 25.3 kilometers City-wide. Please note the list of locations will not be expanded at this time.
The locations will serve all Markham residents with park pathways maintained for the Winter months within 24 to 48 hours following the end of a Winter event.
All locations selected are City pathways which begin and end on City property, and are entirely hard surface such as asphalt or concrete. No granular or wooden surfaces such as boardwalks or bridges will be included to minimize damage to these pathways.
- How Markham Manages Snow Removal
Important Message About Winter Parking During Snow Clearing
All parking on both sides of all City streets is prohibited during snow clearing operations. Existing parking permits and overnight exemptions held by residents are not valid during snow clearing operations.
Residents can expect snow clearing to begin at the start of any snowfall and continue for up to the next 24 hours.
Check our Winter Operations webpage to find out when snow clearing operations have started and ended. On-street parking can resume in accordance with City parking regulations once snow clearing operations are complete.
Between November 15 and April 15, and only when snow clearing operations are not in effect, vehicles may only be parked on the odd numbered side of city streets, unless posted signs indicate otherwise.
Road Classification and Snow Removal Standards
Our roads are plowed, salted or sanded based on a roads classification system which prioritizes all roads maintained by the City of Markham. Roads not maintained by the City of Markham are maintained by the organization that owns the road. For a listing of which organization owns which road in Markham, view our Roads e-Map.
Arterial
Arterial roads carry large volumes of traffic. Examples include transit and emergency routes for ambulance, fire, and police.
Arterial Roads Snow Removal Standard
Roads are salted and/or plowed until pavement is bare 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the winter season.
Primary
Primary roads distribute traffic to both City and Regional arterial roads. They provide access to schools, churches, community centers and industrial/commercial areas. Examples of primary roads: Wootten Way, Carlton Road, Denison Street, John Street.
Roads are salted and/or plowed until pavement is bare 24 hours per day, 7 days per week throughout the Winter season.
Secondary
Secondary roads distribute traffic onto to primary roads. They include roads with extreme hills, curves and access points.
Roads are salted and/or plowed as required until the centre width of the pavement is bare 7 AM to 6 PM, 7 days per week throughout the Winter season.
Local Roads & Lanes
Local roads generally carry very low volumes of traffic and are not intended to carry through traffic. Lanes provide access to garages and parking spaces at the rear of homes and business.
It is acceptable for local roads and lanes to be snow-packed. Plowing will be carried out only when snow accumulations reach or exceed 7.5 centimetres. Normal plowing operations may take approximately 16 hours. Snow plowing will continue until all local roads are completed.
Cul-de-sacs are plowed to ensure access by residents, service and emergency vehicles is maintained. A follow-up cleaning using front-end loaders clears the outside boundaries of the cul-de-sac, piling snow toward the centre of the circle. This snow remains in the centre until it exceeds the storage capacity of the cul-de-sac, at which point it will be removed by City crews. City staff monitor this on an ongoing basis throughout the season.
Windrow Removal Service
This is a service available to qualified registered residents only.
The City of Markham will clear one side portion of snow windrows when facing the road (one car width only) on all roads following a 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) snow fall. This clearing is for the base of driveways of qualified residents who are over 60 years of age or have a disability. The path cleared will equal the width of a standard vehicle. The windrow removal service will be completed within eight (8) hours of the street snowplow passing the resident’s driveway.
For more information on the service and whether you qualify, refer to the Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program accordion below.
Sidewalks
All sidewalks are plowed within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall when accumulations reach 5cm or more. Priority service is provided according to the road classification, beginning with sidewalks along arterial and primary roads, followed by secondary and residential sidewalks. Special attention is given to sidewalks near schools and bus stops. Plowing and sanding may take approximately 14 hours to complete.
Municipal Community Centres and Parking Lots
Appropriate material (for example salt, sand or de-icing material) will be applied to designated areas. Staff review weather conditions, and consider sustainable and environmental factors in determining which material is most appropriate. Plowing will begin when there is a minimum of 5 centimetres of snow cover.
Bus Stops
York Region Transit is responsible for maintaining all bus stop shelters. Please direct all concerns to the York Region Call Centre at 905.762.2100.
Super Mailboxes
Canada Post is responsible for the general upkeep, litter control and snow clearing of all mailboxes and their immediate surrounding area. Please direct all related issues to Canada Post at 1.800.267.1177.
- Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program
The City of Markham's Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Program is designed to help disabled and elderly residents maintain road access from their driveways during the winter season.
Crews will be dispatched to clear the right side of snow windrows facing the road (one car width only) on all roads following a 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) snow fall. Windrows will be cleared within 8 hours after crews plow the road. The City reserves the right to decide when snow windrow service will take place. Also note that the windrow left from the sidewalk plow is not included in this service.
Am I eligible for this service?
To qualify for this program, all individual(s) residing in the household must be 60 years or older (proof of age is required) or younger than 12 years of age. If any members of the household are between the ages of 12 years and 60 years, a current and valid doctor’s certificate confirming they are physically unable to clear snow must be provided.
Please note: Residential homes with rear lanes do not qualify for this service because different procedures are in place for snow removal. Snow is pushed straight ahead out of the rear lane and hauled away leaving only a minimal amount of residual snow, which makes this service unnecessary for these areas.
Residential homes located on private roadways inclusive of condominiums do not qualify for this service.
How do I apply?
If you are eligible to receive this service, please submit an application form and provide required documentation.
- New Applications:
Download the Snow Windrow Removal Assistance Form for New Applicant(s) (PDF) - Seniors and applicants who are under 60 years of age with a permanent medical condition are automatically renewed every Winter season. For applicants who are under 60 years of age with a temporary medical condition, please provide supporting medical documentation to the Contact Centre annually to have your status reviewed/renewed.
If you no longer require this service, please contact us at customerservice@markham.ca or 905.477.5530 - Phone: Call us at 905.477.5530 Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.
Mail your completed application form to:
The City of Markham
101 Town Centre Boulevard
Markham, Ontario, L3R 9W3
Attention: Contact Centre – SnowWhat are my responsibilities?
- Remove any obstructions at the end of your driveway
- Keep your house number visible and illuminated at all times.
- Notify the City if you move from the address on file or if at any time a person(s) moves into the home on a permanent and/or temporary basis.
- New Applications:
- Cold Warning and Winter Safety Tips
Environment and Climate Change Canada issues Winter weather and cold alerts across Canada.
Extreme cold warnings are issued when very cold temperatures or wind chill creates an increased risk to health, such as frostbite and hypothermia. Risks are greater for young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter and clothing.
Find out how you can stay safe in the cold and Winter months.- I Have More Questions
Please contact the City of Markham Contact Centre at 905.477.5530, or by email at customerservice@markham.ca.