Snow and Ice Control Program

With winter now upon us, the City’s operations department is ready to provide snow and ice control. Policy guidelines provide for reasonably safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic while winter conditions prevail, operating within budget allocations and equipment and personnel availability.

The City monitors road and weather conditions throughout the winter months. When snow and icy conditions are forecast, crews and equipment are prepared and when it snows, crews are dispatched to clear roads on a priority basis. The City’s first priority during and after a snowfall is to clear major arterial streets (such as Island Highway, Alberni Highway) as well as access to emergency services (RCMP, fire hall, ambulance). Clearing collector streets (such as Temple, Pym, Hirst) is the second priority. Once conditions have stabilized on these priority routes, crews will begin to clear residential streets. Should we experience continued snow, it may take crews longer to reach residential streets.

Plowing of streets
Plowing of streets will commence when three inches of snow has fallen, or when road conditions are such that a lesser amount of snow results in dangerous conditions. Road plowing priorities are arterial roads and highways, major collector roads, minor collector roads and then local roads (within three days, weather permitting). The plowing priorities of routes adjacent to facilities are emergency service facilities, bus routes, steep hills and school areas.

Wherever possible, drivers are asked not to park vehicles on the streets during snowfalls as this impedes plows and may result in your vehicle being buried by snow. During the plowing of streets, a windrow may be formed across driveways. This is unavoidable, especially during heavy snowfalls. As the City does not have the equipment or personnel for a private driveway/access clearing, it is the owner’s responsibility to open access to the adjoining roadway. Clearing of private roads and parking lots is the responsibility of the property owners who must ensure that snow removed from their property is not deposited on the adjoining public sidewalks or roadway.

Sidewalks
Snow clearing from sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent property owners who should ensure that snow removed from the sidewalks is not deposited on the adjoining roadway. During heavy snowfall, in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic, adjacent to City-owned property, during regular office hours, crews will support public sidewalk clearing through use of snow blowers and other snow removal equipment as equipment and personnel allow.

Brining of City Roads
When temperatures are anticipated to reach freezing or snow fall is anticipated, our operations crews may proactively brine the roads prior to the event. Brining of roads is a common practice aligned with City procedures to keep our roads from icing. Brining during daytime hours is safer for our crews, less costly for the City, and ensures roads are ready for changing conditions during the evening, night and ready for the early morning lower temperatures

With winter now upon us, the City’s operations department is ready to provide snow and ice control. Policy guidelines provide for reasonably safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic while winter conditions prevail, operating within budget allocations and equipment and personnel availability.

The City monitors road and weather conditions throughout the winter months. When snow and icy conditions are forecast, crews and equipment are prepared and when it snows, crews are dispatched to clear roads on a priority basis. The City’s first priority during and after a snowfall is to clear major arterial streets (such as Island Highway, Alberni Highway) as well as access to emergency services (RCMP, fire hall, ambulance). Clearing collector streets (such as Temple, Pym, Hirst) is the second priority. Once conditions have stabilized on these priority routes, crews will begin to clear residential streets. Should we experience continued snow, it may take crews longer to reach residential streets.

Plowing of streets
Plowing of streets will commence when three inches of snow has fallen, or when road conditions are such that a lesser amount of snow results in dangerous conditions. Road plowing priorities are arterial roads and highways, major collector roads, minor collector roads and then local roads (within three days, weather permitting). The plowing priorities of routes adjacent to facilities are emergency service facilities, bus routes, steep hills and school areas.

Wherever possible, drivers are asked not to park vehicles on the streets during snowfalls as this impedes plows and may result in your vehicle being buried by snow. During the plowing of streets, a windrow may be formed across driveways. This is unavoidable, especially during heavy snowfalls. As the City does not have the equipment or personnel for a private driveway/access clearing, it is the owner’s responsibility to open access to the adjoining roadway. Clearing of private roads and parking lots is the responsibility of the property owners who must ensure that snow removed from their property is not deposited on the adjoining public sidewalks or roadway.

Sidewalks
Snow clearing from sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent property owners who should ensure that snow removed from the sidewalks is not deposited on the adjoining roadway. During heavy snowfall, in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic, adjacent to City-owned property, during regular office hours, crews will support public sidewalk clearing through use of snow blowers and other snow removal equipment as equipment and personnel allow.

Brining of City Roads
When temperatures are anticipated to reach freezing or snow fall is anticipated, our operations crews may proactively brine the roads prior to the event. Brining of roads is a common practice aligned with City procedures to keep our roads from icing. Brining during daytime hours is safer for our crews, less costly for the City, and ensures roads are ready for changing conditions during the evening, night and ready for the early morning lower temperatures

  • Parksville Snow and Ice Control

    November 21, 2025

    NEWS RELEASE

    The City of Parksville maintains and manages about 100 kilometres of paved roadways. Severe weather can significantly impact the City from a social, environmental and economic perspective with an unsafe road network. To provide an effective and efficient response which aligns with Council’s strategic vision, Council Policy No. 8.10 was developed where roads have been classified into three priorities.

    SNOW ROADWAY PRIORITIES

    • First Priority Roadways (A) - about 23 kilometres of strategic and arterial roads which include transit routes, major access to hillside areas and emergency routes.
    • Second Priority Roadways (B) - about 11 kilometres of remaining hillside and collector routes.
    • Third Priority Roadways (C) - remaining approximately 66 kilometres of local roads, cul-de-sacs and laneways.

    First Priority (A) roads such as the Island Highway and Alberni Highway, as well as hillsides and emergency access roads, are maintained until conditions are reasonably safe winter road conditions, subject to worker and equipment availability, weather and budgetary limitations.

    SNOW AND ICE PREPARATIONS
    To prepare for winter conditions, staff attend training sessions to prepare for snow conditions. Equipment resources are readied, including installation of plowing, sanding and brining accessories to ensure all equipment is operational for an efficient response time.

    MONITORING THE ROADS
    Operations staff continuously monitor roads and weather conditions throughout the winter months. Weather forecasts are monitored through the Weather Network as well as Environment Canada websites. Should snow, ice or frost be forecast, staff are scheduled to apply anti-ice (salt brine) to the roads prior to the event or be ready to have truck plows with salters for snow removal. Staff will then be dispatched accordingly to first priority roads per Council policy.

    DURING SNOWFALL
    Staff will continue to maintain first priority roads until they are in a reasonably safe winter condition, once those road conditions have stabilized, staff will move to second priority and then third. If at anytime conditions worsen, staff will revert to first and second priority routes which may then take additional time to attend to third priority local and residential roads.

    SIDEWALKS
    City staff will clear snow on sidewalks adjacent to park properties and as well as other City-owned facilities. For businesses and residents, snow clearing from sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent property owners or business who are required to ensure snow removed from the sidewalks, boulevards or private property is not deposited on the adjoining roadway, City property or highways. Please note, there is a $50 fine.

    PARKING LOTS
    The City clears parking lots at City-owned facilities such as the Parksville Fire Department access and lot, access and parking lot at the Jensen Centre, Parksville Civic and Technology Centre access and lot, and other City parking lots as required.

    GENERAL INFORMATION
    Wherever possible, drivers are asked to not park vehicles on the streets during periods of snowfall as this impedes the snow clearing operations. While plowing roadways, a windrow of snow may form across driveways. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, especially during heavy snowfalls. The City does not have the equipment or personnel for a private driveway/access clearing program, it is the owner’s responsibility to open access to the adjoining roadway. Clearing private roads and parking lots is the responsibility of the property owners who are required to ensure snow removed from their property is not deposited on the adjoining public sidewalks or roadway. Additional details are provided on the City’s website.

    Residents can view a colour-coded map of priority routes by accessing the map on the City’s website. When conditions are present, City vehicles with snow-removal capacity will focus on clearing the main artery of Highway 19A as well as clearing of other Priority A routes, as outlined in red on this map.

    For more information:
    Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
    communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

  • Sidewalk Snow Clearing Pilot Project Approved for Downtown Parksville

    December 18, 2024

    NEWS RELEASE

    At the December 16 meeting, Parksville Council approved a $10,000 budget in 2025 and in 2026 to support the City’s sidewalk snow clearing pilot project. Council endorsed the temporary amendment to the snow and ice policy to include a pilot project to increase the level of service and prioritize clearing of designated walkways in the downtown core and secondary clearing of sidewalks adjacent to City parks and facilities. Sidewalks within the downtown area have been categorized into first, second and third priorities as indicated on the map below.

    This temporary project is not intended to remove responsibility but to support owners and occupiers who are required to clear sidewalks bordering their property (Traffic Bylaw 1436). The City’s Snow and Ice Policy 8.10 states, “every owner and occupier of property is responsible to remove all snow and ice from sidewalks bordering their property within twelve hours of the end of the snow fall event.” We encourage owners to clear their frontage within the outlined timelines.

    This pilot project is proposed to improve and enhance accessibility for Parksville residents who need to navigate sidewalks in the downtown area. As well, improvements to sidewalk clearing will include many key pedestrian letdowns and strategic transit stops. During prolonged snowfall events, all sidewalk clearing is dependent on the City being able to secure staff capacity to cover shifts and access to equipment is available.

    For Council consideration prior to the start of the 2026 winter season, staff will provide a review of the 2025 pilot project identifying areas of improvement, staff hours and budget.

    Refer to Let’s Talk Parksville for information on the City’s snow and ice control program including the policy, frequently asked questions, and how residents and business owners can help.

    For more information:
    Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
    communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

  • Parksville Snow and Ice Control

    November 21, 2024

    NEWS RELEASE

    The City of Parksville maintains and manages about 100 kilometres of paved roadways. Severe weather can seriously impact the City from a social, environmental, and economic perspective with an unsafe road network. To provide an effective and efficient response which aligns with Council’s strategic vision, Council Policy No. 8.10 was developed where roads have been classified into three priorities.

    SNOW ROADWAY PRIORITIES

    • First Priority Roadways (A) - about 23 kilometres of strategic and arterial roads which include transit routes, major access to hillside areas and emergency routes.
    • Second Priority Roadways (B) - about 11 kilometres of remaining hillside and collector routes.
    • Third Priority Roadways (C) - remaining approximately 66 kilometres of local roads, cul-de-sacs and laneways.

    First Priority (A) roads such as the Island Highway and Alberni Highway, as well as hillsides and emergency access roads, are maintained until conditions are reasonably safe winter road conditions, subject to worker and equipment availability, weather and budgetary limitations.

    SNOW AND ICE PREPARATIONS
    To prepare for winter conditions, training sessions are held for staff to prepare them for snow conditions. Equipment resources are prepared, including installation of plowing, sanding and brining accessories to ensure everything is operational for an efficient response time.

    MONITORING THE ROADS
    Operations staff continuously monitor roads and weather conditions throughout the winter months. Weather forecasts are monitored through the Weather Network as well as Environment Canada websites. Should snow, ice or frost be in the forecast, staff are scheduled to apply anti-ice (salt brine) to the roads prior to the event or be ready to have truck plows with salters for snow removal. Staff will then be dispatched accordingly to first priority roads per Council policy.

    DURING SNOWFALL
    Staff will continue to maintain first priority roads until they are in a reasonably safe winter condition, once those road conditions have stabilized, staff will move to second priority and then third. If at anytime conditions worsen, staff will revert to first and second priority routes which may then take additional time to attend to third priority local and residential roads.

    SIDEWALKS
    City staff will clear snow on sidewalks adjacent to park properties and as well as other City-owned facilities. For businesses and residents, snow clearing from sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent property owners or business who are required to ensure snow removed from the sidewalks, boulevards or private property is not deposited on the adjoining roadway, City property or highways. Please note, there is a $50 fine.

    PARKING LOTS
    The City clears parking lots at City-owned facilities such as the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department access and lot, access and parking lot at the Jensen Centre, Parksville Civic and Technology Centre access and lot, and other City parking lots as required.

    GENERAL INFORMATION
    Wherever possible, drivers are asked to not park vehicles on the streets during periods of snowfall as this impedes the snow clearing operations. While plowing roadways, a windrow of snow may be formed across driveways. Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, especially during heavy snowfalls. As the City does not have the equipment or personnel for a private driveway/access clearing program, it is the owner’s responsibility to open access to the adjoining roadway. Clearing of private roads and parking lots is the responsibility of the property owners who are required to ensure that snow removed from their property is not deposited on the adjoining public sidewalks or roadway. Additional information is provided on the City’s website.

    Residents can view a colour-coded map of priority routes by accessing the map on the City’s website. When conditions are present, City vehicles with snow-removal capacity will focus on clearing the main artery of Highway 19A as well as clearing of other Priority A routes, as outlined in red on this map.

    For more information:
    Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
    communications@parskville.ca; 250 954-3073

Page last updated: 21 Nov 2025, 04:26 PM