Snow Emergency 

During a declared "snow emergency", cars parked on designated snow routes must be removed or they will be tagged and towed by police. Snow emergencies will not be declared until warranted by actual road and weather conditions.

Declaration

The General Manager, Engineering & Operational Services will determine whether a snow emergency exists and will advise the Chief of Police. A snow emergency will not be declared until the City actually has a severe snowstorm similar in magnitude to the early January 1999 event.

The Chief of Police will subsequently implement parking enforcement on designated snow routes.

Duration and Conclusion

A declared snow emergency shall remain in effect for a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours after it was first announced on the radio. The Director of Operations & Maintenance who will advise the Chief of Police as to when it is appropriate to declare the snow emergency ended will monitor Road conditions. The Chief of Police would then advise the radio stations to broadcast the following pre-recorded message:

"This is Chief of Police Derek McElveny. The snow emergency for the City of Brantford is now cancelled. We thank you for your co-operation."

Enforcement

 Enforcement of snow emergency parking restrictions is the responsibility of the Brantford Police Department.

Operating under the Highway Traffic Act and City of Brantford Bylaw 144-88, the Police will tag and tow vehicles found to be parked on a signed snow route. Police towing of vehicles will be co-coordinated with Works Department staff to ensure that a route is clear prior to committing snow-plowing equipment. In order to provide sufficient time for car owners to remove vehicles from snow routes, enforcement shall not commence until three (3) hours after the snow emergency was first announced on the radio.  

In the event that the snow emergency is declared between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., enforcement shall not commence until 10:00 a.m.Following the non-enforcement grace period, any vehicles found to be parked on a designated snow route will be tagged with the appropriate parking infraction notice by a Police Officer and towed to a vehicle compound. The Police will maintain a log of the location of all towed vehicles.

Fines and Towing Charges

The fine for parking on a snow route is currently $20.00 for voluntary payment and $30.00 for set fine payment.

The basic tow rate is $35.00 that is increased to $55.00 if a dolly is required. Vehicles are currently impounded at Brant County Towing and the storage rate is $10.00 per day.

Media Notification

The Chief of Police will notify radio stations within the Brantford listening area (Table 2) to play the following pre-recorded taped message:

"This is Police Chief Derek McElveny. Snow emergency conditions are now in effect for the City of Brantford. Parking vehicles on designated snow routes within the City of Brantford during the snow emergency is prohibited.

We ask that motorists remove their vehicles from these roads to assist in plowing and snow removal. Enforcement action will be taken against vehicles left parked on these snow routes. A snow route is a road that is designated by a sign, or where parking is prohibited at all times. Emergency snow conditions will remain in effect until cancelled by a public announcement. Thank you for your co-operation."

During subsequent snowplowing, the Director of Operations & Maintenance may periodically update the media with regards to the status of the clean-up operations.

Routes

Snow routes as shown on the attached drawing are posted with "snow route" signs.

The Engineering Department will periodically review the routes and recommendations will be made to Council to add or delete routes based on changing traffic and land use patterns.