The City of Burlington provides a windrow clearing program to help residents who cannot clear snow left by plows. Crews clear windrows within 32 hours after snowfall ends and within 8 hours of the completion of all residential road plowing. This service is available annually from December 1 to March 31.
In June 2026, Burlington City Council approved a new windrow snow clearing service fee model that includes an annual fee of $150 plus HST. The model also provides a 50 per cent fee reduction for seniors, residents with physical disabilities or limitations, and low-income residents. Registration for Burlington’s 2026-2027 driveway windrow snow clearing program is open from Oct. 2 - Nov. 7, 2026, or while spots remain.
Reduced Fee Available to Eligible Residents
The 2026/2027 reduced is available to residents who meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- Are 65 years of age or older
- Have a disability or physical limitation that prevents them from clearing the windrow themselves, and no able-bodied person between the ages of 16 and 65 resides at the property
- Receive benefits through the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
- Are enrolled in the City's Recreation Fee Assistance Program or Transit Low Income Pass Program.
For the 2026-2027 winter season, the City is using self-attestation to make the reduced-fee option easier to access and avoid requiring residents to provide personal or sensitive documentation. Residents are responsible for confirming that they meet the eligibility criteria.
The City may, as part of its due diligence, conduct a selective audit of registrants and request documentation to confirm eligibility where there is reason to believe that the eligibility criteria may not have been met, or where verification is otherwise necessary to ensure the integrity and equitable administration of the program.
Online Registration
- Login to your Live and Play account
- Select the “Course Registration” tab, then choose “Other City Services”
- Based on your eligibility, select:
• Windrow Clearing Program, or
• Windrow Clearing Program – Reduced Fee for Eligible Residents - Follow the prompts to complete registration and payment
For more information on how to register online or setup a Live & Play account visit burlington.ca/registration
In-Person Registration
- In-person registration is available at the following locations:
- Service Burlington, located at 426 Brant Street on the main floor of City Hall
Mon to Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays. - Burlington Seniors Centre, located at 2285 New Street,
Mon to Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays. - Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way,
Mon to Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. excluding holidays.
Windrow Clearing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this program offered city-wide? |
|
Yes. The City expanded this program in 2023. The enhanced program allows for the inclusion of approximately 1,000 driveways. The service boundaries now includes all areas of the city. |
How does the windrow clearing program work? |
|
What if it doesn't snow? Can I get a refund? |
|
The program fee is non-refundable. |
I have two entrances to my driveway. Do I need to pay for both? |
| If a property has two driveway connections that you would like cleared, both entrances will need to be registered and paid for. |
How long does windrow clearing take after a snowfall? |
|
For snowfalls of 7.5 cm or more, residential roads are typically plowed within 24 hours after the snowfall ends, followed by windrow clearing within eight hours, for a total service timeline of approximately 32 hours. Residents can subscribe to burlington.ca/snow for updates on when residential snow clearing is complete, and when windrow clearing is activated. |
Why isn't proof of eligibility required? |
|
When designing the program fee reduction model for the 2026/2027 winter season, the City considered the practical realities of confirming eligibility across different categories. Some circumstances, such as age, can be readily confirmed, while others are more personal in nature and may not be easily or appropriately documented. The City also considered the importance of making the application process accessible and respectful for residents. For that reason, the program relies on applicants to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements. The City expects residents to provide accurate information when applying. However, the City may, as part of its due diligence, conduct a selective audit of registrants and request documentation to confirm eligibility where there is reason to believe that the eligibility criteria may not have been met, or where verification is otherwise necessary to ensure the integrity and equitable administration of the program. The City is continuing to explore options for future years to confirm eligibility in a way that is fair, practical and consistent with the program's goals. |
Why can't the City clear my windrow immediately after the plow? |
|
The City's first priority during and after a snow event is public safety. Crews must focus on clearing and maintaining roads so emergency vehicles, transit, residents and other road users can travel safely throughout the city. Once roads have been made safe and passable, crews begin windrow clearing in neighbourhoods. Because windrow clearing is a city-wide operation, driveways cannot be cleared immediately after a plow passes. The 32-hour service standard reflects the time required to complete city-wide snow clearing and windrow clearing following a snow event. The standard helps ensure residents have a general timeframe for when they can expect service. |
Registration has closed for the winter season. Can I still sign up for the program? |
|
Late registrations for this program cannot be accommodated, as our road crews require sufficient time to plan and allocate resources for the winter windrow program based on the confirmed number of registrants. |