Edmonton Winter Parking Bans: What Homeowners Need to Know

The Two-Phase System

Edmonton clears snow using a two-phase parking ban. The City declares bans after heavy snowfall over short periods. They are not automatic. You need to watch for announcements.

Phase 1 takes effect at 7 pm the day it is declared. All vehicles must be removed from:

• Arterial and collector roads
• Bus routes, including those running through residential neighbourhoods
• All roadways marked with white "seasonal no parking" signs

Phase 1 runs city-wide, 24 hours a day, for 3 to 4 days depending on conditions. Where can you park? Residential roads without white signs, parking garages, and public lots.

Phase 2 is declared after Phase 1 finishes. All residential and industrial streets are covered. Residential roads are bladed to a packed snowpack of about 5 cm, not cleared to bare pavement. The ban can last up to 14 days city-wide, but your neighbourhood is only directly affected for roughly 72 hours. Where can you park? Roads cleared during Phase 1, or your driveway. Front-yard parking is not permitted by City bylaw.

The City provides at least 8 hours notice before enforcement begins on any street. Yellow signs go up at least 24 hours in advance where possible. Do not rely on signage alone.

How to Get Notified

• 311 App: Download the City of Edmonton 311 app. Push notifications for parking ban declarations.
• edmonton.ca/parkingban: Live status page showing the current phase and a street-by-street map.
• Service Notifications: Subscribe at edmonton.ca for location-specific neighbourhood alerts sent by email or text.
• @CityofEdmonton on X: Real-time ban declarations.
• Local radio: Stations announce bans during morning and afternoon traffic reports.

Set up the 311 app notifications before the first snowfall. Waiting until a ban is declared to check is how cars get tickets.

What It Costs If You Do Not Move

The City tows to the nearest cleared roadway in your neighbourhood, not to an impound lot. You pay nothing for the tow itself. The $250 ticket is separate and payable to the City. That is the full cost: $250.

In the 2025-2026 season, roughly 90% of drivers ignored the Phase 2 ban according to a City report. Enforcement officers have been reduced from 15 to 5 since 2023, so while a ticket is not guaranteed, the rule still stands and conditions on your street stay worse until the car moves.

How Many Bans Per Winter?

Edmonton typically declares 3 to 6 parking bans per winter season (November through March). The 2025-2026 season saw significant snowfall through December and early January, with Phase 2 declared on January 12, 2026. Each ban covers both phases; total duration per ban is usually 4 to 7 days from Phase 1 declaration to Phase 2 completion in your neighbourhood.

Sidewalk Clearing: Your Responsibility

Edmonton's Community Standards Bylaw (C14600) requires property owners to clear sidewalks adjacent to their property as quickly as possible after snowfall ends. This includes:

• Front sidewalks
• Side sidewalks on corner lots
• Paths to your front door for mail and delivery access

Clear all snow and ice to the concrete or asphalt surface. Do not push snow onto the road or into the gutter.

Fine for non-compliance: $100 or more per violation. The City enforces this after complaints from neighbours or mail carriers.

Snow Removal Services

If you would rather not shovel:

Per-visit pricing:

• Standard single driveway: $30 to $50 per visit
• Double driveway: $45 to $70 per visit
• Corner lot (driveway plus sidewalks): $50 to $80 per visit

Seasonal contracts (November through March):

• Standard: $200 to $400 for the season
• Premium (same-day clearing, includes sidewalks): $400 to $600

Confirm the snowfall trigger amount and guaranteed clearing window before signing. Some services trigger at 2.5 cm, others at 5 cm. That gap matters on a light-snow day when your street gets plowed overnight.

Winter Tires

Not legally required in Edmonton, but practically necessary. The City plows arterials first; residential streets can stay snow-packed for days.

Budget $800 to $1,200 for a set of four winter tires. Many drivers buy a second set of rims ($400 to $600) to swap themselves rather than paying $80 to $120 per changeover at a shop. Install by mid-October, remove by mid-April. Some insurers offer a 2 to 5% discount for winter tire use.

Tips for New Edmontonians

1. Get a block heater cord. Alberta-spec vehicles come with a block heater standard. Plug in when temperatures drop below -15C. A timer set for 2 to 3 hours before you start is all you need.
2. Keep a winter kit in your trunk. Blanket, phone charger, small shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction.
3. Know your back lane. Many Edmonton neighbourhoods have back lanes with garage access. During parking bans, your garage and back lane are your best options.
4. Budget for winter. Between snow removal ($200 to $400), winter tires ($800 to $1,200), increased heating costs, and the occasional parking ticket, winter adds roughly $1,500 to $2,500 per year to your living costs, worth factoring in when you use our Edmonton affordability calculator to work out your max purchase price.

For a broader look at what city services come with owning a home in Edmonton, see our Edmonton public services guide. If you are weighing which neighbourhoods handle winter best, the best neighbourhoods in Edmonton guide covers walkability and transit access by area. And if you are still figuring out your commute, the Edmonton commuter guide has transit and driving routes by neighbourhood.

Ready to find a home with a garage? Browse Edmonton homes for sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a parking ban is in effect? Check edmonton.ca/parkingban or the 311 app. The status page shows the current phase and a map of which streets are being cleared. Subscribe to service notifications at edmonton.ca for neighbourhood-specific alerts by email or text.

How much is the fine for violating a parking ban? The ticket is $250. If your vehicle is towed, the City moves it to the nearest cleared road in your neighbourhood at no charge. There is no impound lot involved, so the total cost is $250.

Can I park on a cleared street during Phase 2? Yes. Once a residential street has been plowed, you can park on it again. The status map at edmonton.ca/parkingban shows which streets are clear.

Do parking bans apply to back lanes? No. Back lanes are not covered by parking bans. The City does not plow most back lanes either, but you can park or drive through them during a ban.

What notice does the City give before enforcement starts? At least 8 hours before enforcement begins on any street. Yellow signs are posted at least 24 hours in advance where possible. The safest approach is to monitor the 311 app rather than waiting for a sign.

Parking ban rules sourced from the City of Edmonton (edmonton.ca/transportation/on_your_streets/seasonal-parking-ban). Sidewalk clearing requirement: Community Standards Bylaw C14600.