Driveway snow removal for homes in London, Ontario
London Snow Removal arranges driveway plowing, snow blowing and walkway clearing for houses, townhouses and condos in London, Ontario, for one snowfall or the whole winter. We read your request, reply by email or phone and arrange the work with a local snow clearing operator.
What residential snow removal covers
Residential snow removal clears a home's driveway after a snowfall, and it can also cover the walk, the steps and the snowbank the City plow leaves at the end of the driveway. An agreement covers only what it lists, so name each part:
- A single, double, or long or extra wide driveway
- The snowbank across the end of the driveway
- The front walk, the steps and a side path
- Salting or sanding
For walks, steps and de-icers, see sidewalk clearing and salting. In a townhouse or condo, check first whether the condominium corporation already arranges snow clearing.
Plow or snow blower: what clears a driveway
Both can clear a driveway: a plow pushes snow aside with a blade, while a snow blower throws it through a chute, so the choice depends on the driveway's size, its surface and where the snow can go.
| Compared | Plow | Snow blower |
|---|---|---|
| Where the snow ends up | In piles at the side or end of the driveway | Spread over the lawn or yard |
| Often used for | Long or wide driveways with room for a pile | Tight driveways, interlock and spots with no room to pile snow |
Interlock, curbs and driveway markers
A plow blade can catch raised interlock, a curb or the lawn edge, most often when deep snow hides where the driveway ends. Driveway markers, tall stakes set along the edges before the ground freezes, show where to stop. Ask whether markers will be used, which machine suits your surface and how any damage is handled.
The snowbank the City plow leaves at the end of your driveway
The City of London does not clear it for you. The City says its plows push snow from the road to the boulevard, so a plow will fill in driveways, and that "It's the property owner's responsibility to maintain property access." Plow operators call this ridge a windrow.
The City says its plows go out on local streets after 10 cm of snow and crews clear them within 24 hours, and it clears cul de sacs last, partly because their large snow buildup needs a special plow. So the City plow can pass after your driveway is cleared and fill the end in again. Ask whether the end is cleared again afterwards, and whether that counts as an extra visit.
Parked cars get in the way too. The City asks drivers not to park on the road during or shortly after a snowfall, and Traffic and Parking By-law PS-114 prohibits parking on a roadway in front of a driveway access, with a $65 penalty. The City of London snow rules guide has the clearing times and winter parking rules.
Where the snow can go on your property
Snow from your driveway has to stay off the street, the sidewalk and the boulevard, so plan for it to be piled on your own land, such as the lawn or the side of the driveway.
The City says, "Moving snow from your driveway to the street or sidewalk is illegal." Streets By-law S-1 says no person shall, "either by themselves or by permitting others", deposit snow upon a street (section 2.4). It also says no person shall move, "or cause to be moved", snow or ice from privately-owned lands to a boulevard, sidewalk or roadway (section 8.3(a)). The City's penalty by-law lists $300 for depositing snow on a street and $150 for moving it to a boulevard, sidewalk or roadway.
So tell whoever clears your driveway where the snow should go, and pick a spot where the pile will not block your view as you back out or send meltwater across the driveway to freeze.
Seasonal contract or one visit
A seasonal contract suits a home that needs every snowfall over an agreed depth cleared, while a one-time visit suits a single heavy snowfall, a mild winter or a house you are away from. In Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1991 to 2020 normals, London averages 3.4 days with at least 5 cm of snowfall in January, 2.8 in December and 2.4 in February.
Ontario's consumer guidance says "most agreements for a product or service that costs more than $50 must be in writing". Trigger depth, visit limits and season dates are covered in how seasonal snow removal contracts work.
Help for seniors and neighbours who cannot shovel
You can send a request for a parent or an older neighbour. With their agreement, put their address on the form with your own contact details, and say in the message that the request is for someone else. We reply to you, and nothing is booked until you agree to the details.
If paid help is not an option, the City tells residents who need help shovelling their driveway to contact the Snow Angels, to be matched with a volunteer to shovel their laneway. Snow Angels Canada is a volunteer matching project, not a City service, and the City's newsroom names Snow Angels London as a local organization that connects volunteers with neighbours.
What to include in your request
Include the address or nearest intersection, the property type, the driveway size and exactly what needs clearing, plus anything that changes the work: the surface (asphalt, concrete, interlock or gravel), curbs or gardens along the edges, gates, steps and where snow can be piled. Say whether you want a seasonal contract or a one-time plow.
Sending a request is free and does not commit anyone to anything. We read it, reply by email or phone, and arrange the work with a local operator once you agree to what will be cleared, when and for what price.
Questions about driveway snow removal
Does the snow removal include the snowbank the City plow leaves across my driveway?
Only if your agreement includes it, so ask for the end of the driveway by name. The City of London says its plows push snow from the road to the boulevard and will fill in driveways, and that maintaining property access is the property owner's responsibility.
Can I book a one-time plow instead of a whole season?
You can ask for one: choose One-time plow on the request form and say how deep the snow is. The reply will say whether a visit can be arranged and on what terms.
Can a plow damage interlock pavers or lawn edges, and how do driveway markers help?
Yes, a plow blade can catch raised pavers, curbs and lawn edges, most often when deep snow hides where the driveway ends. Driveway markers, tall stakes set along the edges before the ground freezes, show where the driveway stops.
Where can the snow from my driveway go?
Onto your own land, such as the lawn or the side of the driveway, never onto the street, the sidewalk or the boulevard. The City of London says moving snow from your driveway to the street or sidewalk is illegal, and its penalty by-law lists $300 for depositing snow on a street and $150 for moving snow or ice from private land to a boulevard, sidewalk or roadway.
Can I arrange snow removal for a parent or an older neighbour?
Yes. With their agreement, send the request with their address and your own contact details, and the reply comes to you. If paid help is not an option, the City points residents who need help shovelling to the Snow Angels, a volunteer matching project, not a City service.
Request driveway snow removal
Tell us the driveway size, what needs clearing and whether you want one visit or the whole season. Sending a request is free and does not commit anyone to anything.
- We read every request and reply by email or phone.
- The work is arranged with a local snow clearing operator.
- Nothing is booked until you agree to what will be cleared, when and for what price.