The Town is generally plowed in four (4) quadrants.  Within each quadrant, “arterial” roads (ex. O’Brien, Raglan St. S., Hall Ave.) are plowed first, followed by “collector” and “local” roads (ex. Renfrew Ave., Otteridge Ave., Baldwin St.) 

On occasion, due to significant (heavy or long duration) storm events, both manpower and/or equipment may require a reduced plow route, extending the time in which we are able to get all routes plowed as quickly as we would like. 

Depending on the street, the plow may need to travel down each side to clear the entire roadway, as well as ensure that the snow and ice are “winged back” sufficiently to provide future snow storage, site lines, and to uncover catch basins to provide drainage for runoff during a thaw.  

The Town does not remove snow from driveways or entrances. Owners and/or occupants of residential and business properties are responsible for keeping driveways clear down to the street. Unfortunately, the municipality does not have the resources to come back and remove snow left by the plow at the end of the driveway. 

Snow removal/picking occurs in designated areas following the end of a major snow event. The designated areas for pick-up/removal are the downtown core, extremely narrow streets, areas affected by sight lines, school zones, and areas subject to flooding. Not all areas are equal based on geometry of the road, amount of snowfall, time of year and workforce availability.  

• Snowplow Routes Map - 2025/2026
• Snow Picking Map - 2025/2026

For more information or details, please refer to the Winter Control Frequently Asked Questions document. 

Salt is used to prevent ice from forming, or to melt existing ice and snow. It is spread on paved roads only, not on gravel roads. Town trucks are fitted with electronic spreaders that disperse salt at the time and quantity depending upon the conditions in an effort to control salt usage. Salt/sand mixture may be used on other roadways, intersections, and/or sidewalks when the temperatures are sufficiently low that salt does not work.  

Since the Town does not have the ability to pre-wet the streets with a salt brine, we improvise by salting the center of the road. The first fall of snow wets the salt and allows it to spread over the roadway. Later, the plow can remove the snow and ice easier and “bare off” the road.  

For more information or details, please refer to the Winter Control Frequently Asked Questions document. 

The Town of Renfrew adopted Ontario Regulation 239/02, Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways. The regulation allows for the municipality to declare a “Significant Weather Event’ when the Town is not necessarily able to meet the minimum requirements of the regulation. The declaration permits the municipality to not meet the minimum requirement until such time as the declaration has been rescinded.  

When the Town declares a Significant Weather Event, notification shall be posted on the municipality's website, and by announcement of a social media platform, such as Facebook or Instagram along with the Town's bciti+ app. 

For more information or details, please refer to the Winter Control Frequently Asked Questions document. 

Winter maintenance of sidewalks is set by the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, Ontario Regulation 239/20. Typically, both roads and sidewalks are cleared at the same time.  

Sidewalk tractors/plows will scrape most of the ice and snow off a sidewalk and apply salt. It is important to understand that a sidewalk does not “bare off” like an asphalt roadway. Not all sidewalks throughout the Town receive winter maintenance.  

At times, despite there being no snow, the sidewalk machine may be out salting patches, particularly during spring like conditions. Thaw during the day runs across the sidewalk and freezes overnight.  

For more information or details, please refer to the Winter Control Frequently Asked Questions document. 

No person shall park or stand a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain parked on any highway/street or in a municipal parking lot between the hours of 12:00am to 7:00am from December 1st in any year to March 31st of the following year, both dates inclusive.  

These regulations are in place to assist our crews in keeping the roadways and parking areas clear of snow.  

For more information or details, please refer to the Winter Control Frequently Asked Questions document. 

At times the plow operators may have difficulty finding the sidewalk or edge of the road under a blanket of snow, or the ground may not be frozen before the first snowfall, which may result in damage to lawns.  

The Town will return to repair the damage once the winter season is over and staff are available for this work, generally around May of each year. Homeowners are encouraged to contact the Town to get their name and address on a list in order for the work to be scheduled. Please contact the Town of Renfrew at 613-432-4848 or email dw@renfrew.ca. 

For more information or details, please refer to the Winter Control Frequently Asked Questions document.