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Snow clearing duties and road priorities in Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Victoria businesses and residents must clear the sidewalk in front of the property by 10 a.m. after snowfall. City crews
Key information
Victoria businesses and residents must clear the sidewalk in front of the property by 10 a.m. after snowfall. City crews clear emergency and main routes first. Lower-priority roads and paths may take several days after snow stops.
On this page
Private frontage duty
The Streets and Traffic Bylaw requires fronting sidewalks to be cleared by 10 a.m. The city lists a $125 fine per ticketed offence per day for non-compliance.
City street work does not replace an owner or occupier’s sidewalk duty. Use the resident or business snow-clearing fact sheet for safe methods and detailed responsibilities.
Sources: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Road and frontage priorities
First-priority roads include emergency routes, hospital/fire/police access, arterial roads, hills and bridge decks. Second-priority roads include senior-care and homeless-shelter streets, collectors and specified turn lanes.
Third-priority road work includes residential roads, city surface lots, downtown spaces and protected bicycle lanes. Priority frontages and paths are compared in the table below.
Sources: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
What a new snowfall changes
If snow begins again while crews are working on second- or third-priority routes, they return to first-priority areas. This can delay a lower-priority street even after nearby work appeared to be progressing.
The city warns clearing second- and third-priority areas may take several days after snowfall ends. Do not treat the 10 a.m. frontage deadline as a road-completion promise.
Sources: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Key details at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| First-priority roads | Emergency access, major/arterial roads, hills, bridges |
| Second-priority roads | Senior-care/shelter streets, collectors, specified turn lanes |
| Third-priority roads | Residential roads, surface lots, downtown spaces, protected bike lanes |
| First-priority frontage | Downtown transit stops, wheelchair ramps and city frontages |
| Second-priority frontage | Other transit stops and city/community-centre frontages |
| Third-priority paths | Galloping Goose Trail and harbour walkways |
Sources: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Steps to follow
- Clear your frontage
Meet the 10 a.m. duty.
- Understand route priority
Emergency roads are serviced first.
- Allow for renewed snow
Crews return to first-priority routes during new snowfall.
Sources: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Useful questions and answers
What time must the front sidewalk be clear?
By 10 a.m. after snowfall.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Does the requirement cover businesses?
Yes. The city names both businesses and residents.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
What fine is listed?
$125 per ticketed offence per day.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Are hospital routes a first priority?
Yes. Emergency and hospital access are first-priority routes.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Where do collector streets fit?
Second priority.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Where do residential roads fit?
Third priority.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Are protected bicycle lanes first priority?
They appear in the third-priority road list.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Where are downtown wheelchair ramps listed?
First-priority frontage work.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
What happens if snow starts again?
Crews return from lower priorities to first-priority areas.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities
Can clearing lower priorities take days?
Yes. The city warns it can take several days after snowfall stops.
Source: Snow clearing duties and complete three-tier priorities