Snow Removal

The Township of Essa is responsible for clearing snow and ice from 258 kilometres of local urban and rural roads and 29 kilometres of sidewalks within its jurisdiction.

The County of Simcoe clears snow from roads under its jurisdiction, which include:

• Mill Street/Highway 90
• Brentwood Road
• County Roads 56, 15, 10, 21, and 27

Please allow time for our crews to manage snowstorms. If you believe your street has been missed, contact the Public Works Department at 424-9917, extension 114

Based on a 7.5cm (3") snowfall after the snow has stopped:

• Plowing the entire Township takes about 6 - 8 hours.
• Spot sanding takes approximately 9 hours after plowing is complete.
• Sidewalk clearing can take up to 24 hours.

1. Category I Roads: Main roads such as sideroads, 5th Line, 10th Line, and several key streets in Angus.
2. Category II Roads: Non-arterial roads, which are cleared once Category I roads are complete.

This may happen if mailboxes are not securely attached or at the prescribed height (42" above the road shoulder). The Township is not responsible for replacing mailboxes unless the plow or wing strikes them directly. Plastic mailboxes are not replaced due to their unsuitability for winter conditions.

Driveways located to the right of an intersection or near cul-de-sacs may receive more snow due to the angle of the plow. Snow is pushed to the right as the plow turns, which can lead to increased snow buildup in certain driveways. Piling snow on the right side of your driveway can help reduce this effect.

Priority is given to Category I roads per Council policy. Residential streets with higher priority may be cleared first, while rural roads are typically sanded only at intersections, stop signs, hills, and curves.

Salt/sand mixtures are applied early in a storm to prevent snow from freezing to the road surface. This makes it easier to clear the road down to near-pavement level, avoiding the formation of a frozen snowpack.

Yes, overnight parking is prohibited on Township streets from November 1 to May 1 between 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. This ensures complete street clearing and allows emergency vehicles to pass. Visit the Parking Ticket page on our website for more information. 

Cars obstructing snowplows may be ticketed or removed. Contact By-Law Enforcement at 705-424-9917, Ext. 127 for concerns about parked cars.

Snow should remain on your property. Pushing snow from your driveway onto public roads or sidewalks contravenes By-law 2005-96 and creates hazardous conditions.

Sod damage may occur when sidewalks are plowed, especially if the ground is not frozen. Contact Public Works at 424-9917, extension 114 to report damage; repairs will be made in spring.

Encourage children to avoid playing in snowbanks or near plows. Do not allow them to build forts in snowbanks or stand in areas where snow is being cleared.

Place bins within 8 feet of the road, 2 feet from your mailbox, and on the right side of your driveway (not on a snowbank) for easy collection.

For more information on waste pickup, visit the County of Simcoe's Website