During the winter months, snow and ice on sidewalks can seriously impair the ability of people to get around safely - especially the elderly and those with mobility restrictions. For that reason, the City of Saskatoon has a Bylaw in place requiring owners or occupants of property to clear sidewalks of snow and ice to prevent injury or inconvenience to pedestrians.

The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, 2005 (No. 8463) requires that:

• Residential sidewalks must be clear of snow and ice within 48 hours of a snowfall.
• Sidewalks in designated commercial/suburban areas must be clear of snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall. The areas to which this Bylaw applies are outlined on maps in Schedule A (starting on page 8) of the The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, 2005 (No. 8463).

To report an unsafe sidewalk, please wait 48 hours after a snowfall in residential areas, and 24 hours in designated commercial/suburban areas. If it’s still not cleared, call the Snow & Ice Hotline at 975-2491.

The time that a snowfall is considered to be over is based on the conditions reported by Environment Canada at the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. The information is available on their web site: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca

If a report is received about an uncleared sidewalk, the City will check the site and if necessary, the owner/occupant will be required to clear the sidewalk. This winter, the City will not fine residents for uncleared sidewalks. But, if the City has to clear the sidewalk, the cost will be charged to the owner’s property tax. The cost to clear a lot that has frontage only will be $100.00; and for a lot with frontage and flankage the cost will be $150.00. Please see sketch below for an explanation of frontage and flankage.

The City is responsible to clear sidewalks adjoining civic facilities, leisure centres, file halls, auditoriums, and the Meewasin Trail within 48 hours after a snowfall. Lit pathways in City parks as well as sidewalks adjoining City parks and City-owned property will also be cleared within 48 hours.

The City does not clear walkways or lanes.

During grading, crews push snow into ridges (windrows) along the curbs. Every effort is made to keep driveways and disabled zones clear, but sometimes already cleared sidewalks and driveways get covered. Call the Snow & Ice Hotline at 975-2491 to report a snow ridge left on a sidewalk by graders, and the City will come and check it out. If it’s a problem, the City will either clear the snow ridge with a sidewalk plow or come back later and clear it with a grader.

Need Help Clearing Your Sidewalk?

If you're unable to clear your sidewalks, consider asking younger family members, or neighbours for help, or perhaps the person who cuts your grass, or a local community group. Or look in the telephone book under "Snow Removal Services".

Is your Non-Profit or Volunteer Agency or Community Group planning to organize a sidewalk snow clearing program this winter?

If you are a non-profit or volunteer agency, or a community group planning to organize a larger-scale sidewalk snow clearing program this winter, please let us know by calling 975-2491. We'll include your agency/group name and phone number on our web site.

The following agencies/groups are accepting new clients (subject to screening) for sidewalk snow shovelling:   

• King George Work Registry (will assist residents in all areas of the city)
Contact: Audrey at 683-7310 or email BenA@spsd.sk.ca

• Aden Bowman “Bears Aware” Group (will assist residents in the neighbourhood around the school)
Contact: Wendy Benson at 683-7600 or email BensonW@spsd.sk.ca

• Bedford Road Collegiate students (will assist residents in need of help in the Bedford Road district between Avenue B and Avenue M, and between 23rd Street and 30th Street)
Available school days between 1:00pm and 3:00pm until mid-March
Contact: Robert Fraser at 683-7650 or e-mail FraserR@spsd.sk.ca

• Bishop Klein School (restricted to residents living on 1100 Block of Northumberland Avenue and Moore Place – weekdays only, between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm)
To register: 659-7150 or e-mail kbhanson@scs.sk.ca

• City Park Collegiate Snow Shovelling Program - Manual shovelling by Work Experience Students
(Area served: 25th Street north to Circle Drive Bridge; and west to include Mayfair and Caswell Hill. Will consider other areas - contact Don Shepherd to inquire: 683-7550 or ShepherdDo@spsd.sk.ca )
Available Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Not available December 19 through January 5, or February 16 through February 20
To register: Don Shepherd 683-7550 or ShepherdDo@spsd.sk.ca