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The Town of Saugeen Shores has declared a Significant Weather Event due to observed and forecasted conditions, effective 8:00 a.m. on February 18, 2026, and continuing until further notice.
When winter weather hits, our hardworking crews are out keeping 485 km of road and alleyways and 76 km of sidewalks clear and safe. We plow day and night, often starting at 3:00 a.m., so roads and sidewalks are ready for your morning commute.
Roads are cleared in priority order during storms. We work early when traffic levels are low and conditions are safest for us to work. Safety is our primary concern. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause while we tackle winter weather.
Big trucks haul snow away when needed and remember early-morning noise = safer, faster travel for everyone.
View our Winter Operations Plan for more information on our Winter Maintenance Program and plow routes. This plan explains how long it can take to clear the roads and sidewalks after an event and the depth of snow when snow clearing is required. This is a province-wide regulation, though Saugeen Shores strives to exceed these requirements by being as quick to clear the snow as possible with the labour and equipment resources available.
The Town of Saugeen Shores may declare a Significant Weather Event when forecasted or current conditions, such as heavy snowfall in a short period, squalls or snow showers, create unsafe driving conditions or produce zero visibility, as defined by Regulation 239/02.
When declared, the public will be notified through the Town’s website, social media, and local radio. This notice means the Town may not be able to meet regular maintenance standards during the event and road or sidewalk clearing may take longer, with deeper snow accumulation than usual.
For additional information on the declaration of significant weather events, view Ontario Regulation 239/02.
In accordance with our Parking By-law, you may not park any vehicle on municipal streets and boulevards, between 2:00 am and 8:00 am or in any manner that interferes with snow removal operations or winter maintenance between November 1 and March 31 every year.
Check our Parking App for parking options.
Parking in Municipal Parking Lots cannot interfere with the clearing of snow from the lot and could result in a fine or removal at the owner's expense.
Residents are reminded that under the Highway Traffic Act and the Town’s Traffic By-law, it is not permitted to place snow or ice on municipal roads. Doing so can create safety hazards and interfere with snow clearing. Please also avoid placing snow on sidewalks as it makes walking unsafe and slows down our crews.
The Town and snowplow operators are not responsible for damage to items located on municipal rights-of-way, such as:
fences
mailboxes
signs
sprinkler systems
entranceways
Plows must push snow near driveways to clear roads safely, and some snow buildup is unavoidable.
We appreciate your cooperation as our crews work hard to keep Saugeen Shores safe and clear through the winter.
The Town clears sidewalks shown on the Winter Operations Plan. This is reviewed annually.
Some sidewalks are not cleared and are considered closed for the winter. The Town simply does not have the resources to provide this service throughout the Town.
The Town does not clear any of the trails in the winter season, including the bike routes.
What should I do with snow I clear from my property?
Pile the snow on your property.
In accordance with the Highway Traffic Act and our Traffic By-law, you may not place snow or ice on roads without written permission from the Ministry of Transportation or the road's authority body. Placing snow and ice on roads can interfere with road maintenance and safety and is illegal.
Please be careful not to pile snow around fire hydrants. Our emergency services staff need access to hydrants year-round and timing is crucial.
Can the Town remove snow they have put at the end of my driveway?
The Town of Saugeen Shores does not have the resources available to provide that level of services. Residents are responsible for clearing the end of their driveways.
Who is responsible for clearing snow around Canada Post mailboxes?
Canada Post is responsible for clearing the snow and ice around mailboxes. Contact Canada Post at 1-800-267-1177 for more information.
I live on a corner lot. Why does the plow put so much snow in front of my house?
If you live on a corner lot, your driveway may get more snow buildup than your neighbours’ which happens naturally as plows turn the corner.
To help, shovel snow in the direction of traffic. Facing your house from the street, pile snow on the boulevard to the left of your driveway. This reduces the amount pushed back in by the plow.
Why is my lawn sometimes damaged by the sidewalk plow?
Some degree of damage is unavoidable as sidewalk plows must be large enough to move deep, heavy snow. Areas with deep or drifted snow conditions often hide the sidewalk edge and, unfortunately, the plow can cause damage to the grass.
You can help prevent damage by placing stakes around bends to help direct the operator.
Notify the Town if you spot damaged grass along the sidewalk and staff will repair the damage in the spring when they are aware of it.
Why does the plow leave a windrow to block my driveway?
Snowplows are put into operation to keep our roadways safe and clear. To do this effectively, the plow blade must stay in contact with the road surface at all times. While our operators do their best, it isn’t possible for them to lift the blade at every driveway. Please know that snow left at the end of driveways is not placed there intentionally. The Town of Saugeen Shores is responsible for clearing roads; driveways remain the responsibility of property owners.
Why is my sidewalk not being plowed?
The Council approved Winter Operations Plan shows which sidewalks are priority or not maintained. (Appendix 1)
Sidewalk clearing is prioritized by the downtowns, access to business, schools and school bus stops. Some older sidewalks cannot be cleared because of their narrow width and the damage that would be caused to the grass by the equipment.
You can help by:
Placing garbage cans and recycling bins in the driveway and not in snowbanks
Making sure fire hydrants are cleared near your property
Clearing snow from catchbasins
Reminding children not to climb snowbanks near the road or to build forts in this area
Placing durable poles along sidewalks
Contact Us
Town of Saugeen Shores
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008
Toll Free 1-866-832-2008
Fax 519-832-2140
