Maintenance Quality Standards - Sidewalk

View Road Maintenance Quality Standards

Learn about the "do-it-yourself" yellow grit box program for winter walking.

Ottawa's priority for winter maintenance of sidewalks, pathways and bus pads is to keep facilities safe and clear of hazards caused by snow and ice accumulation.

The following table describes the maintenance quality standards for snow and ice control on sidewalks and pathways.

Sidewalk/pathway maintenance classification Minimum Depth of Snow Accumulation for Deployment of Resources Time to Clear Snow Accumulation from the end of Snow Accumulation or Time to Treat Icy Conditions Treatment standard
Bare surface Snow Packed
1
  • Downtown business district
  • Byward Market
  • Large employment centres
  • Special tourism areas
2.5 cm 4 hours X
2
  • Downtown/urban residential neighbourhoods where sidewalks are only safe place to walk
  • Sidewalks in villages
  • Pathways that serve as main community links or to access transit services
  • Sidewalks along roads with transit service, emergency facilities, public facilities or retail/commercial frontages
  • Pathways designated as part of City cycling routes
5 cm 12 hours Sidewalks directly adjacent to arterial roads All other locations
3
  • Sidewalks along rural and suburban collector and residential roads
  • Paved pathways in rural and suburban neighbourhoods (pathways that are winter maintained)
5 cm 16 hours X
3
  • Unpaved pathways and trails
  • Paved pathways that are not winter maintained
Not winter maintained

Some winter walking tips

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