During the winter months, snow and ice on sidewalks can seriously impair the ability of people to get around safely – especially the elderly and those with mobility restrictions. For that reason, the City of Saskatoon has a sidewalk clearing bylaw in place (#8463) that requiring owners or occupants of property to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 48 hours of snowfall; and sidewalks in certain commercial and suburban areas to be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall. If the City receives a report of an uncleared sidewalk, the site will be checked, and if necessary, the owner/occupant will be asked to clear it.
The Street Use Bylaw prohibits residents from throwing or shoveling snow on the road because it can affect drainage and the safety of pedestrians or drivers. Cleared snow must be placed on your property or removed, and not placed on the roadway. There are exceptions for properties with no space for snow storage, such as businesses with parking meters along the sidewalk space
To report an unsafe sidewalk, please wait 48 hours after a snowfall in residential areas, and 24 hours in designated commercial/suburban areas. If it’s still not cleared, call the Public Works Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476.
The time that a snowfall is considered to be over is based on the conditions reported by Environment Canada at the John G. Diefenbaker International Airport. The information is available on their web site: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca