Winter storm update: Friday, Jan. 16 at 9 a.m.

Jan. 16, 2026 9:00 a.m.
Weather - Winter
Sidewalk snowplow

Facilities open, sidewalk cleanup continues, waste collection delayed – leave bins out 

 

The snow may have tapered off, but the City of Vaughan is still cleaning up from yesterday’s major snowfall. 

 

Here’s what you need to know about our operations:

 

  • Waste collection continues to be delayed. It is possible collectors will not get to all homes until Saturday. Please leave materials curbside until they are collected. Be sure to dig out your bins and do not put them on top of or behind snowbanks. 

  • Road plowing and windrow clearing are complete. Additional salting will continue today. 

  • Sidewalk salting and plowing will also continue today with a focus on major and residential sidewalks.

  • City facilities are open with regular hours of operation. This includes our Community Centres, Vaughan City Hall and all Vaughan Public Libraries locations. 

  • Plowing and salting at City facilities was completed overnight and additional cleanup will continue today. 

  • Service Vaughan agents are ready to take your call. We can be reached at 905-832-2281 during our regular hours today from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After that and throughout the weekend, municipal emergencies can be reported at that number – press '0' to speak to our after-hours service provider.

 

The Significant Weather Event declared by the City on Wednesday, Jan. 14 will continue into the weekend as crews continue sidewalk operations across the City. 

 

Your patience is appreciated as we continue to clean up from this major storm! 

 

Your role in winter maintenance:

Managing snow in Vaughan is a community effort. Here are some tips on how you can help the City’s winter operations run as smoothly and safely as possible.

  • Keep parked cars off the street while snowplows are out to assist the City in ensuring streets are cleared properly and safely. On-street parking is not permitted at any time when snowplows are clearing the streets, or between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in Vaughan without a permit. Crews cannot effectively clear roads and laneways with cars parked along them. As outlined in the City’s Parking By-law 064-2019 (PDF), on-street parking that interferes with snow-clearing operations is prohibited. Vehicles found in violation may be subject to a $75 fine or towed at the owner’s expense. 

  • Clear snow and ice from sidewalks bordering your property as soon as a snowfall has ended to help ensure roads and sidewalks remain safe, as stated in the City’s Snow-Clearing By-law 227-2022 (PDF). 

  • Remove anything that may interfere with or be hazardous to plow crews. This includes landscaping features, such as fencing, basketball nets, decorative stones, pots, bird baths, furniture and more, as stated in the City’s Road Allowance By-law 126-2024 (PDF). These items should be within 30 centimetres of a sidewalk or within one metre of a street curb.

  • Be mindful of where snow is placed. It is illegal to shovel snow or ice onto the road under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and the City’s Dumping By-law 103-2020 (PDF). If you have hired a contractor to plow your laneway or sidewalk, ensure they are licensed with the City and they do not leave snow on the road from their removal.

  • Stay off the roads during a heavy snowstorm unless travel is essential. You can also use York Region Transit to get around the city during inclement weather.

  • Clean snow off all surfaces of your vehicle before driving and keep a safe distance away from snowplows and salting equipment.  

  • Set waste bins back from the curb approximately one metre on the right-hand side of the driveway, where possible (when facing the home). Doing this will reduce the risk of bins and bags getting covered in snow during the City’s snow-clearing process. Waste bins or bags buried in snow, frozen to the ground, on top of or behind snowbanks will not be collected. Crews cannot return for materials that are not accessible for collection. 

  • Keep fire hydrants clear and accessible (one metre all around). Blocked, concealed or difficult-to-access fire hydrants can slow down emergency fire response. As outlined in the City’s Water By-law 024-2024 (PDF), residents who have a fire hydrant on their property or City property adjacent to theirs are responsible for ensuring the hydrant is always visible and unobstructed.

  • Help keep catch basins clear of snow and ice to prevent flooding during temperature fluctuations, if it’s safe to do so.

To report non-emergency winter maintenance service requests, visit Service Vaughan.

 

Stay informed

For additional details and to receive the latest information on Vaughan’s winter operations:

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