Calgary's Snow and Ice Bylaw: How Long You Have to Clear Your Sidewalk

In Calgary, you have 24 hours. Property owners must clear the public sidewalk next to their property down to the bare surface within 24 hours of a snowfall ending, under section 67 of the City's Street Bylaw, and fines start at $250 for a first offence, rising to $500 and $750 for repeat offences within 12 months. If you still do not clear it, the City can do it for you and bill a minimum of $150 plus GST and an administration fee.

This guide covers exactly which sidewalks are your responsibility, where you can and cannot put the snow, what happens if you miss the deadline, where to get free sand and salt in NW Calgary, and how to report a sidewalk that has not been cleared.

1. How Long Do You Have to Clear Your Sidewalk in Calgary?

According to the City of Calgary's bylaws related to snow and ice, you must remove snow and ice, down to the bare surface, from public sidewalks bordering your property within 24 hours of a snowfall ending. The rule is section 67 of the City's Street Bylaw.

Two details matter. The 24 hours is counted from when the snowfall ends, so during a long storm you are not expected to shovel continuously. And the standard is bare surface, not just a path, so packed snow and ice need to come off too.

2. Which Sidewalks Are You Responsible For?

On a corner lot, plan for both streets. The rule covers every public sidewalk bordering your property, so a corner home is responsible for the sidewalk along the side street as well as the front. Buyers looking at corner lots should factor in that extra shovelling.

Renting out a home? The City is clear that owners who live elsewhere are still responsible for ensuring adjacent sidewalks and pathways are cleared, regardless of who does the work. The two penalties land on different people: the bylaw fine is issued to the property occupant, which may be your tenant, while the City's clearing invoice goes to the owner and can be added to the property tax bill. Landlords may want the lease to state clearly who shovels.

3. Where Can You Put the Snow?

The City's snow shovelling page draws a simple line:

Moving snow from private property into public space carries the same escalating fines as an uncleared sidewalk, as CTV News reported when the City added those penalties. If you hire a contractor, note that snow cannot be dumped in the Bow or Elbow rivers.

4. What Happens If You Do Not Clear Your Sidewalk?

Enforcement generally starts with a complaint. The City only accepts reports once 24 hours have passed since the last snowfall, and a 2018 CBC News report described bylaw officers checking 311 complaints, leaving a warning notice and returning later before the City sent in a contractor. Today's City page confirms that the City may clear the sidewalk and invoice the owner if a City notice is not acted on, so never ignore a notice left at your door.

5. What About Ice After a Chinook?

Calgary's chinooks can melt snow during the day and refreeze it into ice overnight. The bylaw standard is still a bare surface, so ice on your sidewalk needs to be removed too. Sand or a sand and salt mix helps break it down and makes it safer to walk on while you work at it. Clearing snow promptly, before it is packed down by foot traffic, makes this much easier. Our guide to what newcomers should know about Calgary winters explains how chinooks work.

6. Where Can You Get Help and Free Sand in NW Calgary?

The City offers a free sand and salt mix for sidewalks bordering private property at 30 sites across Calgary, according to its free sand-salt page. Bring your own container under 25 kg and a shovel, take one container per visit, and note that supply is first come, first served. NW Calgary locations include:

Fire Station 17 at 3740 32 Avenue NW is also on the list but was temporarily unavailable due to construction when this guide was written. Check the City's page for current status before you go.

• Snow Angels. The City's Snow Angels campaign encourages residents to adopt a neighbour's sidewalk, especially for older adults or people with limited mobility. The City does not keep a list of volunteers or match helpers, so ask a neighbour directly. You can thank a Snow Angel by requesting a certificate through 311.
• Private contractors. Many snow clearing companies operate in Calgary if you travel in winter or cannot shovel.
• Snow blowers at night. Under the Community Standards Bylaw, engine powered snow clearing is allowed overnight from the start of a snowfall until 48 hours after it stops, and always during the day.

7. How Do You Report a Sidewalk That Has Not Been Cleared?

For a sidewalk bordering private property, use the City's online sidewalk snow report or call 311 (403-268-2489 from outside Calgary). For City owned sidewalks, call 311. Two rules apply: at least 24 hours must have passed since the last snowfall, and the City does not accept anonymous complaints, so you will need to identify yourself.