Snow removal updates encourage residents to be good neighbours
February 27, 2026 at 4:42 AM
Hopefully it’s not a thing anyone has to worry about in the immediate future, but whenever the snow does return residents in Fort Erie will have some new rules to follow.
The Town is updating its snow removal bylaw, which governs the rules for clearing snow on private properties. While much of the update is refining and adding definitions, there are some new rules residents should be aware of.
“This proposed replacement modernizes a 17-year-old bylaw, improves clarity and enforceability and aligns with current municipal standards. It also enhances our ability to respond to resident concerns during the winter season,” said Bryce Bailey, municipal law enforcement officer with the Town.
One of the major changes involves new restrictions for where snow can be deposited.
“No person shall deposit, or allow to be deposited, snow or ice onto another person’s land, unless consent is given by the landowner,” the draft bylaw reads.
“We’ve received repeated complaints for this matter, which is currently not a prohibited act,” Bailey said at Monday night’s council meeting, comparing it to similar rules stating a person can’t dump leaves or grass clippings on a neighbour’s property.
Other changes include new restrictions on depositing snow or ice near a driveway or fire hydrant that obstructs access, or depositing snow or ice in a way that prevents water flow through a drain.
Additional updates refined or added definitions or provided clearer enforcement measures.
While councillors were mostly supportive of the changes, Councillor Nick Dubanow did have some questions about the new prohibitions governing neighbours.
“It’s not really a concern, it’s more of a fear of how it could be used,” he said.
“I’m just really concerned we could come to a situation where (there’s a) neighbour dispute, two individuals who don’t get along, and we’re having complaints called because someone just happens to deposit snow on their side of the property line next to the driveway.”
With lot sizes getting smaller and Fort Erie often getting large amounts of snow, he suggested it could become a friction point.
The snow removal bylaw is just one of a few bylaws that govern snow clearing in the municipality. Mayor Wayne Redekop also brought up looking at rules for on-street parking, including the overnight prohibition during winter months and the fact there are some major snow events that occur in the middle of the day.
“We have many weeks and months where there is no snow. But then there’s also times during the day, not overnight, where we have snow and vehicles are parked on the road, which makes it difficult for plows to get around,” he said.
Bailey said that would fall under the traffic bylaw, but was something staff could review.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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