Winter and Snow

District of Sechelt crews, residents and businesses work together to help our community stay safe during winter weather conditions. The map below shows priorities of our roads and sidewalks in the they need to be cleared by snow.

Road Clearing

In preparation for snowfall, District of Sechelt road crews will prepare a brine solution that minimizes the effects of freezing. This procedure is applied to all roads no matter priority and can last up to 5 days.

Snow is cleared in the following order of priority to ensure the safety of residents:

First Priority

Major arterial streets such as Norwest Bay Rd and Trail Ave, school bus and transit routes, access routes to emergency services buildings, routes leading to Sandy Hook/Tuwanek and the Davis Bay area, commercial areas and steep roads are responded to first.

Second Priority

Collector streets such as Ballie and Dolphin Rd in residential neighbourhoods are responded to second.

Third Priority

Local streets and other areas where needed are responded to third.

In the event of an ongoing snowfall, it may take longer for plows to reach local streets as first and second priority streets will require ongoing and repeated attention.

Not Plowed

Gravel roads are not plowed because the gravel destroys plow blades.

Sidewalk Clearing

The District of Sechelt is responsible for clearing snow and salting sidewalks in front of District owned properties and pathways.

Property and business owners in The District of Sechelt are responsible for the clearing of snow & ice in front of their properties as per Bylaw 516, 2012 section 43.

First Priority

High usage sidewalks and pathways around district properties downtown are priority, as well as select sidewalk let downs in the downtown area.

Second Priority

Sidewalks adjacent to parks in residential neighbourhoods or outlying areas are responded to second.

Third Priority

Long, paved pathways and other lower use areas are responded to third.

Not Cleared

Gravel trails or pathways are not salted.

To allow snow plows more room on major and minor streets please avoid parking on the street in the midst of a heavy snowfall.

As we are a small community remember to check on neighbours and elderly family members. Be prepared for an emergency. Keep an emergency kit and supplies in your home, office and vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the District prepare for snow and ice?

Before snowfall, our Public Works crews apply rock salt or a brine solution to help prevent ice from forming. Brine can remain effective for up to five days, depending on weather conditions. The brine we use is a simple solution containing salt and water.

Are all roads treated the same?

Brine is applied to all roads, regardless of priority.
However, snow-clearing operations follow a priority system designed to maintain safety and ensure emergency routes remain passable.

Which roads are cleared first during a snowfall?

First Priority Roads

Major arterial roads (e.g., Norwest Bay Rd, Trail Ave)
School bus and transit routes
Roads leading to emergency service facilities
Roads serving Sandy Hook, Tuwanek, and Davis Bay
Commercial areas
Steep roads

Second & Third Priority Roads
These are cleared after first-priority routes are safe and passable. If snow continues falling, the trucks may remain on first priority roads until the snowfall subsides.

Some lower-priority roads may not be plowed during minor snowfall events.

Why hasn’t my street been plowed yet?

During ongoing snowfall, crews focus on first priority routes to keep major roads safe.

Residential and lower-priority streets are attended to once conditions improve and key routes are secure.

Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks?

The District of Sechelt clears sidewalks next to District-owned buildings and pathways.
Property and business owners must clear sidewalks bordering their premises, as required by Bylaw 516, 2012 (Section 43).

How should I place my garbage, organics, and recycling bins out for collection during a snowfall?

Residents are encouraged to place their bins back from the curb to allow snow and waste collection crews to work effectively. If the amount of snow on the boulevard is too high or too much to properly place waste bins, then placing them in the driveway opening is recommended. Please check our website, social media, or app for updates regarding collection pick ups.

Why is street parking discouraged during snowfalls?

Vehicles parked on the street make it difficult, and sometimes unsafe, for snowplows to properly clear snow. Keeping streets clear allows crews to work more efficiently and prevents cars from being blocked in.

How can residents help during winter weather?

Residents can support snow-clearing efforts by:

Not parking on streets during snow events
Helping their neighbours
Shoveling sidewalks if they border their residence
Removing garbage and recycling totes promptly after collection
Preparing in advance for a snowfall

What should I do if there’s a medical or safety emergency at my property and my road has not been treated?

Call 911. Emergency response agencies will contact the District if the street requires treatment.

Why won’t a snowplow be dispatched to my street when I report a problem?

To maximize efficiency, crews must adhere to pre-scheduled priority routes.

Snow plowing on these priority routes continues as long as adverse weather conditions exist. Once these routes remain drivable under winter conditions, crews begin clearing lower-traffic minor collector roads and residential streets scheduled for garbage collection.

Why do snowplows push snow that might block driveways?

As snowplows clear the roadway, snow naturally accumulates at the roadside, often across driveways.

Additional details:

Plows are designed to clear roads quickly and safely, not individual driveways.
Stopping or lifting the blade at each driveway would slow operations and reduce road safety.
Snow flows off the plow blade and follows natural contours, often settling at driveway entrances.
When shoveling, place snow on the left side of your driveway (when facing your home) to reduce the chance of it being pushed back by the plow.
Multiple passes may be needed for full road clearing.
Crews do not intend to block driveways; this is an unavoidable result of the plowing process.

Why do some parking lots get plowed and others don’t?

Parks staff plow municipal facilities in priority order.

Private parking lots, like that of the mall, are the responsibility of the property owner.

How do I find out what priority level my street is?

You can find your street’s priority level by searching your address using the map available on our website. (Map is located near the top of this page.)

Who is responsible for clearing the snow around Canada Post mailboxes?

Canada Post is responsible for clearing the snow and ice around mailboxes.

Will the District of Sechelt clear my driveway or car if the snowplows block them in?

No. The District does not clear private properties.

If your driveway or vehicle becomes blocked with snow and you cannot clear it yourself, please make your own private arrangements and plan in advance when a snowfall is in the forecast.

My street is not plowed but I am an essential worker or have a medical appointment. What should I do?

If main priority routes are safe and passable, snowplows will be dispatched to secondary and third-priority routes. If you live on a second or third priority road and snow is in the forecast, please plan ahead.

Why did the plow only clear one side of my street?

The plow travels with traffic on the right side of the road and can only direct snow off the right side of the truck.

This means the plow can initially clear only one side of the street before it can safely turn around and return to clear the other side.
Please be assured that crews will return to complete the street.

What is “widening out”?

‘Widening out’ roads is when the snow is pushed back to the ditch and catch basins to allow for drainage. We understand that this can be frustrating for residents, especially those who have worked hard to clear their driveways, as driveways may get filled.