Each winter season the City's Engineering and Parks Operations Division is responsible for maintaining approximately 74 km of road to a safe and passable condition. Despite the efforts of a highly motivated snow removal crew, conditions can deteriorate, and roads can become treacherous. Motorists are advised to exercise caution at all times.
If you see snow-clearing equipment, please allow them to do their work and keep back 50 metres. The City has a modern fleet of snow-clearing equipment and utilizes sophisticated weather services to assist us in responding quickly and efficiently to snow events. Clearing efforts begin on main routes and move to residential areas only when the main routes are clear. Understandably this lengthens the response time for residential streets and cul-de-sacs and is the prime cause of inquiries on snow control.
Download the Snow Control Priority Map
Download our Sidewalk and Parking Lot Snow Removal Map
The City uses salt, salt/sand mix, or straight sand to ensure the roads are safe for winter driving. Salt is used throughout the core of the City as it is fast acting and effective. When the snow melts the salt is gone, requires very little cleanup, and does not fill our storm drainage system with silt and debris. A salt/sand mix is used in steep locations. The rates that salt and salt/sand mix are applied, are based on temperature, forecast, and snowfall, as well as past experience.
Private Property Owners' Responsibilities
Every time it snows the City receives complaints from residents that private property sidewalks are impassable. It’s especially difficult for people with disabilities, the elderly, and people with young children.
Home & business owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice - even snow plow build up - from their sidewalks and walkways bordering their property within 24 hours of snowfall. Highway & Bylaw No. 2871, Traffic Regulation Bylaw
If you own property that has a sidewalk bordering a road, it is your responsibility to clear the snow within 24 hours of a snow event, or prior to the depth of snow accumulation exceeding 10 centimetres.
Snow Removal Reminder
We would like to remind all businesses and residents of the following in order to assist City crews with the ongoing snow removal process:
1. When clearing sidewalks and walkways of snow, please remember to not push the snow onto public property like roads, boulevards, alleys, or pathways. Shoveling snow back onto the street is prohibited, and it creates unsafe road conditions for motorists, impedes catch basins, and can delay street clearing. Snow should be moved to private property - like your lawn! Property owners that continually remove snow onto City roadways may be invoiced by the City for time spent on activities related to clearing these obstructions.
2. Keep all roads, lanes, and alleys clear of all obstructions including overnight parking of vehicles, trailers, campers, structures, and all other obstructions from City streets that may impede with snow plowing. Property owners are to provide off-street parking. City crews often plow early in the morning or late in the evening and these vehicles/items will prevent the proper snowplowing of the streets. Parked vehicles that continually impede snow clearance may be towed away at the owner’s expense.
3. Please be kind to our staff as they work hard to get the roads cleared as quickly as possible so everyone can get to their destination safely.
We appeal to your sense of responsibility and good will for your neighbours and customers to clear the snow. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please email engops@langleycity.ca.