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Free snow windrow clearing assistance in Whitby, Ontario
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Whitby offers qualifying residents free clearing of the plow ridge at the driveway and the public sidewalk beside the property. It does not clear the whole driveway or remove ice.
Key information
Whitby offers qualifying residents free clearing of the plow ridge at the driveway and the public sidewalk beside the property. It does not clear the whole driveway or remove ice.
On this page
Register and plan around the service at a glance
- Use the town’s online Windrow program registration
Use the town’s online Windrow program registration. Confirm both personal eligibility and the household-help condition.
- Arrange any extra driveway or ice work separately
Arrange any extra driveway or ice work separately. The program covers only the town-owned area, public sidewalk and plow ridge.
- After snow stops or drifting ends, town roads and sidewalks are cleared first
After snow stops or drifting ends, town roads and sidewalks are cleared first. Program clearing typically begins about 36 hours later.
Sources: Snow and windrow clearing assistance
Who and what qualifies
| Condition | Town rule |
|---|---|
| Age route | 65 or older |
| Disability route | Doctor certifies inability to clear snow |
| Household help | No resident under 65 able to help |
| Sidewalk snowfall trigger | At least 5 cm |
| Windrow snowfall trigger | At least 10 cm |
| Long absence | Not away over 45 consecutive days from November 1 to April 15 |
Sources: Snow and windrow clearing assistance
Register and plan around the service
- Use the town’s online Windrow program registration. Confirm both personal eligibility and the household-help condition.
- Arrange any extra driveway or ice work separately. The program covers only the town-owned area, public sidewalk and plow ridge.
- After snow stops or drifting ends, town roads and sidewalks are cleared first. Program clearing typically begins about 36 hours later.
Sources: Snow and windrow clearing assistance
Service timing and work not included
The town does not provide service for every snowfall. The sidewalk and driveway-ridge thresholds differ. A road plow passing your house is not evidence that the windrow crew has missed you.
The program supplies no salt or sand and does not remove ice. It cannot provide custom clearing. People who need to leave regularly should arrange backup help rather than relying on a precise arrival time.
Occasional help from someone else does not remove an eligible resident from the program. Long winter absences need private snow-clearing arrangements.
Sources: Snow and windrow clearing assistance
Questions and answers
What is a windrow?
It is the ridge of snow left across the bottom of a driveway after the road plow passes.
Does registration cost anything?
No. The town lists this as a free service.
Can a younger resident qualify?
Yes, through written medical certification of physical inability to clear snow, subject to the household-help rule.
Does age alone qualify everyone in a household?
No. There must not be someone under 65 in the home who can help clear snow.
Will the service clear a 3 cm snowfall?
No. The listed sidewalk threshold is 5 cm and the windrow threshold is 10 cm.
Is the entire driveway cleared?
No. The service covers the town-owned portion and the plow ridge, not private driveway clearing.
Will workers salt an icy sidewalk?
No. Ice clearing remains the homeowner’s responsibility and salt or sand is not supplied.
Should I report a passing road plow as a missed windrow visit?
No. Road clearing takes priority and the program crew follows separately.
Will occasional help cancel my place?
No. The town says it will return for later snowfalls even if someone sometimes helps you.
What if I spend more than 45 consecutive winter days away?
The program does not cover that absence. Make private arrangements.
Sources: Snow and windrow clearing assistance