With the forecast calling for snow to arrive in the Nation's Capital on Sunday into Monday, residents are encouraged to stay tuned to ottawa.ca/winter for updates and guidance.
Public Works staff are well underway preparing for winter. Staff are working on wrapping up pavement marking operations and continue to remove traffic calming flex stakes and bicycle bollards. Parks Maintenance staff are closing and winterizing spray pads, wading pools, park fountains, decorative fountains and irrigation systems. Seasonal docks, tennis, volleyball, and safety netting are being removed. Integrated Turf Management for sports fields, ball diamonds and outdoor courts took place through the fall, in preparation for next spring. Throughout winter, Parks Maintenance services outdoor rinks by:
- installing temporary rink boards, hockey nets, and netting;
- supporting community-run rinks by ensuring snow is removed from ambulance access points; and
- by repairing damage upon request.
Additionally, Parks Maintenance staff install protective foam/straw bales at select tobogganing and sledding hills and continue monthly inspections of play structures. Parks Maintenance also clears snow at emergency service stations, libraries and community centres as well as some City facility parking lots.
Waste Collection: Recycling, garbage cans and green bins must not block the sidewalk or roadway or be placed on top of snowbanks. To help keep collection safe for all, staff ask that all types of waste bins are placed on the ground closest to the curb in the laneway.
Winter Weather Parking Bans: Between November 15 and April 1, when Environment Canada forecasts significant freezing rain or seven centimetres of snow or more, the City may enact a Winter Weather Parking Ban. Such a ban does not apply to residential parking permit holders. Vehicles without valid residential parking permits that remain parked on the road during a ban can be ticketed. To help residents prepare, winter weather parking bans are called by set times:
- Daytime bans are called by 3:30 pm on the day before the ban is scheduled to go into effect. Street parking is prohibited between 10 am and 7 pm the following day.
- Nighttime bans are called by 9 am on the day that the ban is scheduled to go into effect. Street parking is prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am.
Parking bans are called to support winter operations. When there are no vehicles on the road, operators can more effectively clear the roads and catch basins of ice and snow. Information on where to park during a Winter Weather Parking Ban is available at ottawa.ca. Residents should sign up for Winter Weather Parking Ban e-Alerts to be alerted to an upcoming parking ban.
During a Significant Weather Event, all available resources will be deployed, and residents are asked to refrain from calling 3-1-1 or creating a service request for anything other than an emergency.
