Snow Removal in Calgary: The 24 Hour Rule

In Calgary, clearing the public sidewalk outside your property is your responsibility, and there is a clock on it.

How long do you have to clear your sidewalk in Calgary?

24 hours. The City of Calgary requires property owners to clear the public sidewalks and pathways bordering their property within 24 hours of a snowfall ending.

The City does not clear sidewalks bordering private homes and businesses, and it does not clear back lanes or alleyways. That part is on you.

Who is responsible, exactly?

The property owner. If you rent your property out and live somewhere else, you are still responsible for making sure the adjacent sidewalks and pathways get cleared.

So "my tenant was supposed to do it" is not a defence, and neither is being out of town.

What happens if you do not clear it?

Two separate costs, and they stack differently.

If the City ends up clearing the sidewalk, the owner gets invoiced a minimum flat rate of $150 plus GST, plus an administration fee.

Separately, the property occupant can be fined. The City lists $250 for a first offence, $500 for a second and $750 for a third, with later offences inside a 12 month period carrying higher fines again.

Where are you allowed to put the snow?

This one catches people out, because it runs in one direction only.

You may shovel snow from a public space onto another public space. Clearing the sidewalk onto the road is allowed.

You may not shovel snow from your private property onto a public space. Clearing your driveway onto the road is not allowed.

The City also asks you not to pile snow where it blocks access on a road, in a crosswalk, on top of a storm drain, or in a neighbour’s yard.

What if you cannot get to it in 24 hours?

Plenty of people cannot. You are travelling, you are working, the snow came down overnight, or the walk is longer than one person with a shovel can handle before work.

That is the gap. The deadline does not move because your week is busy, and a $150 invoice plus a $250 fine costs considerably more than having someone clear it.

Book snow removal in Calgary

OnCallable is live in Calgary. Describe what needs clearing, see your price before you book, and a verified local Pro takes it from there.

The price you see includes taxes and fees. You pay when you book, your payment is held securely, and it is released to your Pro once the service is complete.

Ready to get it cleared? Book snow removal in Calgary.