Short answer: in Toronto, failing to clear snow and ice from your own property can bring a fine of roughly $570 — a $455 penalty plus a $115 surcharge — and the City can also clear a hazardous sidewalk and bill you for it. You are expected to clear the public sidewalk within 12 hours of a snowfall ending and your own property within 24 hours. Here is exactly how the fines and deadlines work.
Fine amounts and rules can change, so treat these as the current figures and confirm on the City's site before relying on them.
The fine amounts
According to the City of Toronto's winter maintenance information, the penalty for not clearing snow and ice from your property is currently in the range of a $455 fine plus a $115 surcharge, about $570 in total. On top of the fine, if the City determines a sidewalk is a hazard, it can dispatch crews to clear it and charge the cost back to the property owner. There are also penalties for improperly storing shovelled snow — for example, pushing it onto the road.
The deadlines
- Public sidewalk: clear within 12 hours of the end of a snowfall (for smaller accumulations; the City mechanically clears many sidewalks after larger snows).
- Your property — driveway, steps, ramps, landings: clear within 24 hours after snowfall ends.
The bigger risk: liability
The fine is not the only exposure. If someone slips and is hurt on an uncleared walk or driveway on your property, you can be held responsible for the injury — often a far larger cost than any ticket. Keeping your walks clear is as much about that liability as it is about the bylaw.
The windrow catch
One frustration for Toronto homeowners: even after you have cleared your driveway, the city plow can pack a dense windrow across the end of it, and clearing that is on you. We explain the windrow problem separately — it is the heaviest snow to move and it resets your clock.
How to stay onside without watching the clock
The reliable way to hit a 12- or 24-hour deadline is to not depend on being home and able-bodied to shovel in time. A seasonal snow service clears your driveway, walkway, and steps after each storm, often before 7 a.m., which keeps you compliant and safe. What to look for is in choosing a snow company, and the full picture of Toronto winters is in our snow removal guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the fine for not shovelling in Toronto?
Currently about $570 in total for failing to clear your property — a $455 penalty plus a $115 surcharge. Confirm the current amount on the City's website, as it can change.
How long do I have to clear snow?
Twelve hours for the public sidewalk after snowfall ends, and 24 hours for your own property, in Toronto. Other municipalities set their own deadlines.
Does the city clear sidewalks itself?
Toronto mechanically clears many sidewalks after larger snowfalls, but residents are still expected to clear smaller accumulations and any spots the City does not reach within the deadline.
Can I be fined for where I put the snow?
Yes — improperly storing shovelled snow, such as pushing it onto the road, can bring its own penalty. Pile snow on your own property.
What if I am away or unable to shovel?
A seasonal snow service clears your property on schedule after each storm regardless of whether you are home, which keeps you within the deadlines.
Want to never worry about the deadline again? Home Bros clears driveways, walkways, and steps across Toronto on a reliable schedule, every property treated like our own. See our Toronto snow removal service and get a quote.