Reminder: Failing to shovel snow can lead to hefty fines in Metro Vancouver
Many people across Metro Vancouver will be staying indoors as much as possible until this week's snowstorm subsides – but they could face fines if they neglect to shovel their sidewalks in a timely fashion.
Just how long they have to clear away snow varies by jurisdiction, but the City of Vancouver requires residents to get the job done by 10 a.m. the day after a snowfall.
"Vancouver property owners and occupants are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the full width of sidewalks in front of and, if on a corner lot, alongside their property," reads the city's website.
Failure to do so could result in fines of $250 or more – plus a potential snow-clearing bill, should the city decide to hire someone else to do the work.
People who are away from home or otherwise unable to shovel their own sidewalk can request the help of a volunteer Snow Angel. Snow and ice do not have to be cleared from private property.
Several other municipalities have a 10 a.m. deadline as well, including Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond and the District of North Vancouver – the latter of which just adopted its snow-clearing bylaw earlier this year – but the rules vary in other parts of the region.
The City of North Vancouver and City of West Vancouver both give property owners 24 hours to clear snow and ice from outside their homes and businesses, while Coquitlam gives owners or occupants 10 hours after the snowfall ceases.
Information on snow-clearing requirements are usually available on local government websites.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE | Gay man taking Canadian government to court, challenging policy restricting sperm bank donations
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.

2 B.C. RCMP officers charged with manslaughter in Indigenous man's 2017 death
Two RCMP officers are accused of manslaughter in the 2017 death of an Indigenous man in Prince George, B.C., prosecutors announced Wednesday.
TREND LINE | Canada's health care crisis: Who's accountable, and how can we fix an overburdened system?
On CTVNews.ca and YouTube: Health journalist Avis Favaro joins our Trend Line podcast, for an in-depth episode dedicated to the growing crises facing the Canadian health-care system.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Mexico zoo director killed and cooked 4 pygmy goats for party
The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.
Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
Quebec woman stunned to find stolen Audi driven through Ontario mall in 'insane' robbery
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Food prices set to increase -- again -- as blackout on price hikes ends at some stores
Higher grocery prices are expected to hit stores across Canada soon as a blackout on price increases over the holiday season comes to an end.