Windrow Clearing in Orillia

Windrow clearing in Orillia is the removal of the hard ridge of snow the city plow leaves across the end of your driveway. It is for anyone who has cleared the driveway at 6 am and been blocked in again by 8. You end up with an open driveway entrance after the plow has gone by, without a second round of shovelling.

City plow truck pushing a snowbank along a residential street in Orillia Ontario

Why the Snowbank at the End of the Driveway Is Yours

The City of Orillia's snow-clearing page states that the City does not clear windrows and that residents can remove snowbanks themselves or hire a company. Staff priced a city windrow program during 2024 budget talks at $2.4 million in equipment and $500,000 a year, and council did not adopt it.

The plow pushes road snow to the right, so the bank lands across your driveway whether you cleared it or not. It is packed, wet and heavier than the snow on the driveway.

How We Time the Return Pass

The City plows local residential streets once more than 8 cm has fallen, with a target of 16 hours after the snow stops. We follow the City's plow tracker for your area and send the return crew once the plow has passed your street, so we clear the bank one time.

We pile the snow on your property, on the right side of the driveway as you face the street, and keep it off the road and the sidewalk as section 181 of the Highway Traffic Act requires.

What Affects the Price of Windrow Clearing

Windrow clearing comes with every seasonal contract. On its own we price it per visit, and the width of the driveway entrance, a corner lot that catches banks from two plows, and how high the banks already stand in February set the number. If you want the driveway done too, add driveway snow removal.

Windrow Clearing FAQs

  • Does the City of Orillia clear windrows for seniors?

    The City runs no windrow program for seniors or anyone else. Its snow-clearing page tells residents to clear the bank themselves or hire a company.

  • Can I book windrow clearing without a full contract?

    Yes. You can book a one-time dig-out after a big storm, or a windrow-only season where you clear the driveway and we take the bank.

  • Why does the plow leave so much snow at my driveway?

    The plow blade angles snow to the right side of the road as it moves, and every driveway on that side catches the spill. Corner lots get a second bank from the cross street.

  • How high can the snowbanks get before the City lowers them?

    The City says there is no limit on snowbank height. It lowers banks downtown and on main roads first, so banks on residential streets can stand until spring.

Request a Written Quote

Tell us your street and the width of the driveway entrance, and we will quote the return pass.

Request a Quote

Get the Snowbank Gone After the Plow

Book windrow clearing on its own or as part of a seasonal contract.