Snow Plow Contractor Licensing Review

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Did you know? Snow plow contractors in Ottawa must obtain an annual business licence!

Snow plow contractors are licensed by the City of Ottawa under the Licensing By-Law (By-law No. 2002-189, Schedule 4). This licensing category includes businesses that provide snow plowing or removal services on or from private property using a snow plow. City Council has directed staff to review the current regulations for snow plow contractors and report back with recommendations in the Fall of 2024.

Why is the City conducting a review of regulations on snow plow contractors?

The City of Ottawa periodically reviews by-laws to address emerging issues and ensure each by-law continues to meet the needs of the community. Council has directed City staff to review regulations related to snow plow contractors, including the following issues:

  • Noise and nuisance;
  • Illegal snow dumping on private and public property; and,
  • Follow up on permanently allowing metal driveway markers.

For more information on the By-law Review Framework and the current by-laws under review, visit the City’s By-law Review webpage.

How can I get involved?

If you are a member of the public, you can complete the online survey and subscribe to our Engage Ottawa page for future updates.

I am a snow plow contractor and want to provide my input:

If you are a snow plow contractor, email bylawreviews@ottawa.ca to receive additional information on industry-specific engagement opportunities and future updates.

Who are snow plow contractors under the Licensing By-law?

The City’s Licensing By-Law regulates several businesses in Ottawa, including snow plow contractors. Snow plow contractors include those who plow and/or remove snow from private property. Farmers who clear snow to help the community and people who use only shovels or manual snowblowers do not require a licence. For more information on regulations related to snow plow contractors, refer to Schedule 4 of the Licensing By-law.

I want to hire a snow plow company, how do I know if they are licensed?

If you are hiring a snow plow company, ask them for proof of their City-issued licence before signing the contract. You can also verify that a contractor is licensed by referring to the City’s approved list of snow plow contractors.

In addition, don't forget to look for an orange plate in the rear window of the snow-clearing vehicle as the contractor must also register each vehicle they are using for the season.

You can report unlicensed snow plow contractors by contacting 3-1-1 online or by phone.

Graphic with the following text: ask for proof of a City licence, refer to the City website of approved contractors, look for an orange plate, report unlicensed snow plow contractors.


Did you know? Snow plow contractors in Ottawa must obtain an annual business licence!

Snow plow contractors are licensed by the City of Ottawa under the Licensing By-Law (By-law No. 2002-189, Schedule 4). This licensing category includes businesses that provide snow plowing or removal services on or from private property using a snow plow. City Council has directed staff to review the current regulations for snow plow contractors and report back with recommendations in the Fall of 2024.

Why is the City conducting a review of regulations on snow plow contractors?

The City of Ottawa periodically reviews by-laws to address emerging issues and ensure each by-law continues to meet the needs of the community. Council has directed City staff to review regulations related to snow plow contractors, including the following issues:

  • Noise and nuisance;
  • Illegal snow dumping on private and public property; and,
  • Follow up on permanently allowing metal driveway markers.

For more information on the By-law Review Framework and the current by-laws under review, visit the City’s By-law Review webpage.

How can I get involved?

If you are a member of the public, you can complete the online survey and subscribe to our Engage Ottawa page for future updates.

I am a snow plow contractor and want to provide my input:

If you are a snow plow contractor, email bylawreviews@ottawa.ca to receive additional information on industry-specific engagement opportunities and future updates.

Who are snow plow contractors under the Licensing By-law?

The City’s Licensing By-Law regulates several businesses in Ottawa, including snow plow contractors. Snow plow contractors include those who plow and/or remove snow from private property. Farmers who clear snow to help the community and people who use only shovels or manual snowblowers do not require a licence. For more information on regulations related to snow plow contractors, refer to Schedule 4 of the Licensing By-law.

I want to hire a snow plow company, how do I know if they are licensed?

If you are hiring a snow plow company, ask them for proof of their City-issued licence before signing the contract. You can also verify that a contractor is licensed by referring to the City’s approved list of snow plow contractors.

In addition, don't forget to look for an orange plate in the rear window of the snow-clearing vehicle as the contractor must also register each vehicle they are using for the season.

You can report unlicensed snow plow contractors by contacting 3-1-1 online or by phone.

Graphic with the following text: ask for proof of a City licence, refer to the City website of approved contractors, look for an orange plate, report unlicensed snow plow contractors.


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Public Survey: Snow Plow Contractor Licensing Review

    Thank you for your interest in the City of Ottawa’s Snow Plow Contractor Licensing review. 


    Background

    Snow plow contractors are regulated and licensed by the City of Ottawa under the Licensing By-law (By-law No. 2002-189, Schedule 4). This business category includes businesses that provide snow plowing or removal services on or from private property using a snow plow (does not include those who provide services using only a hand-held shovel or manual snow blower and snow clearing related to farming). City Council has directed staff to review the current regulations for snow plow contractors and report back with recommendations in the Fall of 2024.

     This by-law review will:

    • Review and update existing regulations for snow plow contractors.
    • Explore a potential requirement for broadband back-up alarms on certain equipment types.
    • Report back on the findings of the metal driveway marker pilot.


    Survey Feedback

    The purpose of this survey is to receive input from the public on regulations for snow plow contractors, including issues like noise and safety. Your feedback is important to help inform future policy recommendations. This survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous. The survey will be available until March 31st, 2024.

    Please note that the questions in this survey pertain only to snow plow contractors working on private property and does not apply to vehicles plowing or removing snow from roadways or public properties.


    Collection of Information

    Information collected through this survey will be used to inform policy options and development throughout this by-law review project. Individual survey responses will be kept confidential pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Only aggregate results will be reported publicly. If you have questions about how information will be collected and used for this project, please contact BylawReviews@ottawa.ca or the Public Policy Development Service at 613-580-2424, ext. 29529. 


    Accessibility 

    If you need assistance to complete this survey, require an accessible format, or have general questions or comments about this project, please contact BylawReviews@ottawa.ca or the Public Policy Development Service at 613-580-2424, ext. 29529.

    Engage Ottawa Registration
    Thank you for taking the time to participate in this survey. If you already have an Engage Ottawa account, please log in before filling out the survey. 

    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 19 Apr 2024, 07:49 AM