How Often Should I Clear Snow From My Sidewalks?

In Edmonton, keeping sidewalks clear of snow isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety and compliance with city bylaws. Slippery, snow-covered sidewalks can create hazards for pedestrians, and failing to clear them on time can lead to fines. But how often should you actually be clearing snow from your sidewalks?

Edmonton’s Sidewalk Snow Removal Rules

The City of Edmonton requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their property within 48 hours of a snowfall. This includes:

• Public sidewalks in front of your home or business
• Pathways beside your property
• Sidewalks adjacent to back lanes (if applicable)

Failure to clear snow in this timeframe can result in bylaw enforcement, which may include warnings, tickets, or the city arranging removal at your expense.

👉 For proactive homeowners, check out our guide on When Should I Start Preparing for Snow Removal in Edmonton?

Best Practices for Clearing Snow

While the bylaw allows 48 hours, waiting that long isn’t always practical—or safe. Here are some best practices:

1. Clear After Every Snowfall

Light snow may seem harmless, but if it’s left to pack down, it can quickly turn into ice. Clearing it right after a snowfall is the easiest and safest approach.

2. Clear Multiple Times During Heavy Snowfalls

When Edmonton gets a major storm, snow can pile up quickly. Clearing it once in the middle of the storm and again after it ends makes the job much easier than tackling 20 cm of compacted snow at once.

3. Address Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Even after sidewalks are cleared, melting snow during the day can refreeze into ice at night. Spreading sand or ice melt helps prevent dangerous icy patches.

👉 Learn how to protect your surfaces in our post: How Do I Prevent Ice Damage to My Driveway This Winter?

Why Consistent Snow Clearing Matters

• Safety for Everyone: Clear sidewalks reduce slips and falls for pedestrians, delivery workers, and visitors.
• Legal Compliance: Staying on top of snow removal keeps you in line with city bylaws.
• Curb Appeal: A consistently clear property creates a welcoming appearance, even in the harshest winter months.

Neighbourhood Heroes’ 24-Hour Guarantee

At Neighbourhood Heroes, we go beyond the city’s 48-hour requirement. Our promise:

• Snow is cleared within 24 hours for every 2 cm of snowfall
• We return as many times as needed in a single day during heavy snowfalls
• Add-ons available:
  • Priority Removal – be first on our route every time
  • Sand and Ice Melt Applications – extra safety for icy conditions

👉 Learn more about our Snow Removal Services in Edmonton.

Final Thoughts

In Edmonton, the rule of thumb is simple: clear your sidewalks after every snowfall, and never wait longer than 48 hours. But with Neighbourhood Heroes, you don’t have to worry about watching the clock or measuring the snow—we’ve got you covered within 24 hours, every time.

By choosing a professional service that guarantees timely snow clearing, you can keep your property safe, compliant, and stress-free all winter long.