Snow Removal
There are many ways that residents can help ensure safety and service delivery, including snow removal, during winter weather. A summary is also available in the Snow Removal Brochure.
Winter Safety Tips
- Pay attention to weather forecasts and incoming storm warnings.
- Stock your home with basic necessities before the weather hits.
- Stay home whenever possible.
- If going out is required, take transit, or walk.
- Drive only with snow tires and ensure treads are at least 3.5 cm deep. Motorists can be fined for driving without the appropriate winter tires.
- Visit the Transportation Canada website for more tips on road and motor vehicle safety.
Top Three Things Residents Can do to Ensure Safety and Service Delivery During Snow Storms
1. Clear Storm Drains
Prevent flooding in the community by monitoring street drains in front of your property and clearing them of snow. If you need assistance locating nearby storm drains, here's the link to West Vancouver's GIS Maps.
2. Park Off-Street
Shovel driveways and park off street. People may receive tickets (and eventually be towed) if their vehicles block any of the following areas:
- Bus stops
- Driveways
- Fire hydrants
- Intersections
- Snow removal equipment
- The normal flow of traffic
3. Keep Sidewalks Clear
Businesses and residences are monitored to ensure that owners/occupiers are removing the ice and snow adjacent to their properties.
Snow & ice conditions are challenging for residents, but life safety issues take precedence over the convenience of parking on the street. West Vancouver has a Traffic and Parking Bylaw which addresses business and home owner responsibility for ice and snow removal. (see Bylaw 4370, Section 8.14).
Snow Removal in West Vancouver
Managing snow and ice removal on municipal roads is a priority for District staff and takes precedence over other services whenever possible. Snow removal is managed using existing resources while still maintaining other critical District infrastructure such as water and sewer mains.
The District operates up to twelve vehicles equipped for snow removal as well as placement of salt, salt brine and sand. These include four tandem trucks equipped with ploughs and spreaders, one tandem truck equipped with a plough and salt brine unit, four five ton trucks equipped with ploughs and spreaders and three backhoe-loaders equipped with ploughs.
Snow removal is performed on a strict priority basis aside from emergency scenarios. Priority 1 routes are bus routes, emergency routes, arterial roads (i.e. Marine Drive) and major collector roads (i.e. 15th Street).During longer storms, primary roads – especially bus routes – are repeatedly ploughed to ensure that everyone has a viable transportation alternative. Once priority one routes are in a safe and stable condition, staff service secondary through-roads.
Priority 2 routes are schools and minor collector roads (i.e. 11th Street).
Priority 3 routes are local roads, cul-de-sacs, footpaths and footbridges, which will only be dealt with after the weather disturbance has passed and/or Priority 1 and 2 routes are in a safe and stable condition. Please be patient!
For more information on the priority of District streets, please see the Snow Removal Zone Maps below.
Sidewalks fronting private property (i.e. commercial businesses, single and multiple family dwellings) are the responsibility of the owner/occupier, as specified in the Traffic and Parking Bylaw #4370 Section 8.14.1. The Parks Department oversees snow removal in the vicinity of bus shelters.
During winter months residents are able to report local conditions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you require service during this time, contact us at:
Non- Emergency Calls/ General Enquiries from 7:30 am-4:00 pm - 604-925-7101
Emergency Calls 24/7 and After-Hour Calls - 604-925-7100
Snow removal priority allocates equipment across four zones. Each zone map indicates specific routes and levels of priority.
