A new snow and ice control policy approved by Kamloops council will standardize how and when crews respond to winter weather—starting with a key change: a single 4-centimetre snowfall trigger across the entire transportation network.

The updated policy means roads, sidewalks, multi-use pathways, parking lots and transit stops will now all fall under the same definition of a “snow event,” replacing a patchwork of different thresholds that previously caused confusion.

City staff said the move is meant to make snow clearing more consistent and easier for residents to understand.

“Before, sidewalks might be cleared at a different snowfall amount than roads,” staff explained during council discussions. “Now, a snow event is a snow event across the city.”

One policy replaces two

The new framework—Council Policy CO-1—replaces two older policies that separately governed parks and recreation areas and city streets.

Those systems used different trigger points and service standards, sometimes resulting in situations where sidewalks or bike lanes were cleared before nearby roads, prompting complaints from residents and businesses.

The new policy aligns those thresholds while still recognizing that different parts of the network cannot be cleared at the same time due to staffing and equipment limits.

Driven by legal and operational changes

The overhaul was prompted in part by a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision involving municipal snow clearing, which emphasized the need for clear, detailed policies rather than broad service descriptions.

At the same time, Kamloops merged its parks and streets operations in 2024, creating an opportunity to unify how snow clearing is managed across departments.

What residents can expect

Under the new policy:

• A “normal snow event” begins at 4 centimetres of accumulation
• Priority 1 routes—including major roads, key sidewalks and transit stops—are targeted for service within 24 hours after a storm ends
• Snow clearing is organized by priority levels across all infrastructure
• Digital maps will show which routes are cleared first, replacing static lists of facilities

City staff say the changes are about clarity—not expanded service.

There are no increases to staffing or funding tied to the new policy, and response times will still depend on weather conditions and operational capacity.

Windrows and winter risks remain

The policy also clarifies expectations around common winter issues like windrows—the ridges of snow left behind by plows.

Officials say those cannot be eliminated entirely, but the policy now clearly outlines what residents should expect and emphasizes that winter travel always carries some level of risk.

Language in the policy defines a standard of “reasonably safe” travel, developed with legal input to reflect court expectations.

More flexibility with mapping

Another major shift is the move to digital mapping for snow clearing routes.

Instead of listing individual parks or facilities in the policy, the city will update maps as new infrastructure is added—avoiding the need to return to council for amendments each time.

Implementation ahead of next winter season

The city plans to have the policy fully implemented by fall 2026, in time for the 2026–2027 winter season. That includes updating internal procedures, mapping tools and public information.

The policy will also be reviewed every three years.

Council voted to adopt the new framework and rescind the previous policies, with staff saying the changes will make winter operations more transparent, consistent and legally sound.