Many of the operational targets remain from the pilot, and we continue to be more responsive to our community’s transportation needs by determining operations by mobility impacts, rather than waiting for specific snow accumulation.

For specific timelines, please refer to the Snow & Ice Program graphic. This winter, we are implementing the low-cost solutions that the community loved, while finding cost-savings by returning to previous operational timelines in lesser-impacted areas. 

A residential plowing campaign will be triggered when mobility is negatively impacted, with triggering factors including, but not limited to: snowfall, forecast, freeze/thaw cycles and snowpack. In previous years, snowpack was our only consideration to trigger a clearing program. However, based on learnings from the pilot as well as community feedback, our residential plowing program will continue to be more responsive and flexible so we can restore mobility and improve accessibility sooner. Additionally, all Green Routes throughout the city will be completed in advance of a Grey Route plowing campaign.

You can track our daily operations at Find Your Route. We also post updates on social media, will place signage in your community, and send Notify Red Deer alerts.

• Sign up to receive alerts by text, email or phone and we will let you know when your neighbourhood is scheduled. Sign up using Notify Red Deer.
• Check the map. Search by address to know when you can expect to see plows in your neighbourhood.
• Watch for No Parking signs around your neighbourhood. Signs are placed at neighbourhood entrances and No Parking sandwich boards will be placed on each street. Please note: all Green Routes will be cleared first, followed by all Grey Routes, should clearing be triggered.

Green and Grey Routes are how we distinguish the two types of residential streets we have in our city.

• Green Routes are the busier roads in each neighbourhood and consist of collector roads and City Transit routes. They typically have higher traffic volumes and provide access to residential streets. Often Green Routes have a yellow line painted down the centre.
• Grey Routes are quieter residential streets (closes, crescents, etc) and typically have a lower traffic volume.

Find your route by searching your address here.

Yes. When a residential plow campaign is triggered, a parking ban will first happen on all Green Routes, and then a parking ban will be placed on all Grey Routes once clearing is triggered. The parking ban will be in effect at all hours (including overnight) until a street is completed. Learn more about parking restrictions.

When a residential plow campaign is underway, there will be several ways to find out! Red A-frame ‘NO PARKING’ signs will be placed on every residential street (either Green or Grey Routes, depending on which route is being cleared) in advance of plows coming through. These signs will be placed a minimum of 12 hours in advance of plowing, and residents cannot park until the signs have been removed.

In addition to watching for signs, we encourage everyone to sign up for Notify Red Deer to get a text reminding you to move your vehicle.

Unfortunately, due to the size of our growing city, going door to door is not a sustainable practice. With street-level signage, Notify Red Deer alerts, and community advertising, we are confident that Red Deerians will know when to move their vehicles.

Parking bans will first happen on all Green Routes, and then, when necessary, Grey Routes. This means that residents on a Green Route can find a nearby Grey Route to park throughout their street clearing (and vice-versa!). During a ban, vehicles must be parked off-street (such as in a driveway, garage, or parking lot) or on an alternately-coloured route until plowing has been completed on your street. Parking bans will be enforced 24 hours a day until the signs have been removed, signaling to residents they can return to on-street parking. To find the nearest route, visit our mapping tool.

As per City Bylaw, every residence is required to have two off-street parking stalls. We encourage you to utilize these spaces. If you have more than two vehicles, you can park on the nearest street that is not signed with NO PARKING ANYTIME sandwich boards. Remember, Green or Grey Routes will not be cleared at the same time, and therefore will not have parking bans enforced at the same time. 

To find the nearest route, visit our mapping tool. Alternatively, check with a neighbour to find out if they have an extra space they would be willing to share with you. If you have additional space, be a Snow Buddy and offer your neighbour space to park!

Restoring mobility and ensuring accessibility are our first priorities. Green Routes have higher traffic volumes and additional uses including Transit, and are plowed with snow removed. On Grey Routes, we plow to a snowpack and place windrows on both sides of the street, with windrows openings to provide access to driveways, alleys, and at pedestrian crossings.  
 
This winter, we will also be removing windrows from portions of Grey Routes in front of higher density (R3 Zone development) where off-street parking may be limited. Previously Green Routes were always plowed to bare pavement and with this pilot program that may not always be the situation. 

In 2024 we began 24-hour residential snow clearing operations to expedite our snow clearing timelines. This means residential streets are cleared much more quickly. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the impact should be limited to one day/night.

If you feel that your parking ticket was issued in error and you are not guilty of the offence, a request for a review can be made by visiting our Received a Ticket web page.

There are two reasons The City does not remove windrows from all residential streets. There is a significant cost to removing windrows, and we do not have capacity at The City’s two snow storage sites. Residents can hire a private snow clearing contractor to remove windrows.

The City’s Land Use Bylaw requires that all single dwellings and duplexes have a minimum of two off-street parking spots. We encourage you to utilize these spaces. If you have more than two vehicles, you can park on the nearest street that is not signed with NO PARKING ANYTIME. Remembering, that Green or Grey Routes will not be cleared at the same time, and therefore will not have parking bans enforced at the same time. To find the nearest route, visit Snow Plowing Schedule and Map. 

Residents can also clear the windrow to accommodate parking or hire a private snow clearing contractor to remove windrows. Please note, windrows cannot be placed back on the street or median. It must be placed on private property or taken to a City snow storage facility.

In accordance to The City’s Traffic Bylaw, vehicles are required to park parallel to the curb, including in closes and cul-de-sacs. By parallel parking, there is adequate space to provide one row of parking, a driving lane and a snow storage pile in the centre.

Parks & Public Works crews will create breaks in the windrows for front driveways, back lane access, fire hydrants and where residents have an on-street City-approved accessible parking sign. Contact Parks & Public Works at 403-342-8238 if you need a space cleared.

By signing up for Notify Red Deer, you can receive your choice of text, email or phone notification about when plowing is scheduled on your street so you can avoid a ticket and move your vehicle.

Visit Notify Red Deer and select Snow Alerts.

Yes, when you sign up for Notify Red Deer, you can enter any location that you wish to receive alerts for (home, work, school or daycare, family members' homes). You will then receive Snow Zone alerts for all addresses entered in Notify Red Deer.