Snow and Ice Control
What's Your Snow IQ?
Snow may be a rare occurrence in Burnaby, but occasionally we get a big dump of the white stuff. During winter conditions, everyone has a role to play to ensure streets and sidewalks are safe. What's your role?
Use the links to your right to learn more about staying safe in snowy weather.
Our Role as a City
During snow and ice conditions, the City of Burnaby's Engineering Department is prepared and ready to respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We plow in order of priority:
- Main arterial streets such as Lougheed, Kingsway and Canada Way
- Emergency response route
- Bus routes and collector streets
- Streets bordering senior and long term care facilities
- Local roads with slopes that have only one outlet and limited access
- Local roads bordering elementary schools.
- Snow accumulations on all other streets will be cleared only when the other priorities are met and resources are available
Sidewalk Clearing
Our sidewalk clearing priorities are designated to ensure safety and access.
We clear in order of priority:
- Bus stops and wheelchair ramps along arterial streets and then collector streets.
- Sidewalks adjacent to municipal facilities such as libraries and community centres
- Pedestrian overpasses
Your Role as a Business or Resident
Residents and businesses play an important role during periods of snow and icy weather.
- You are required to remove accumulated snow from sidewalks bordering the property by 10:00 AM on any day in which the premises are open or occupied by the public
- Don’t shovel snow from sidewalks or driveways onto the roads since this creates traffic hazards and interferes with drainage of melting snow
- Keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice is important for everyone’s safety, particularly seniors, children and people with disabilities
- Lend a helping hand for those who need help removing snow from their properties. Find out how you can help the community by becoming a Burnaby Snow Angel
- Keep storm drains and fire hydrants clear to reduce the risk of local flooding due to melting snow and ice, and ensure quick access to a hydrant in the case of fire. To locate a storm drain or fire hydrant on your street, see the Burnaby Map
Navigation Note -- for Burnaby Map: Storm drain information is found under Engineering, Sewer, Catch Basins, while fire hydrants are found under Engineering, Water Network, Water Hydrants
Our Role as a Community
Get in the know about snow by learning some smart tips to help get you through the winter season safely.
- Stay informed about the latest weather warnings and forecasts
- Keep a shovel and bag of salt or sodium chloride handy for clearing your sidewalks and driveways of ice and snow
- Do not use warm or hot water to clear areas of snow or ice
- When shovelling snow, pile snow on your property – not on the sidewalk or street
- Prepare an emergency kit for your home
- Don’t let children play in snow piles or roadside snow banks
- Check on neighbours that may be in need of assistance
- Take transit instead of driving
- If you must drive:
- Remove all snow from your vehicle before driving, not just the windows
- Give yourself extra time to reach your destination
- Drive only with snow tires
- Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes a shovel and sand in case you get stuck
- Reduce your speed and keep a larger space between you and the car ahead
- Watch out for pedestrians
