By the Lawn Boys / LCW Industries team, Lethbridge, Alberta | October 2026 | 6 min read
| Quick Answer Under City of Lethbridge Snow Removal Bylaw 4865, the owner or occupant must clear snow, ice and debris from the front and side sidewalks next to their property within 24 hours. Fines are $50, $100 and $150 for first, second and third offences in a calendar year. If you cannot clear it in time, Lawn Boys / LCW Industries snow removal keeps Lethbridge sidewalks bylaw-ready all winter. |
Key Takeaways
- You have 24 hours after snow falls or ice forms to clear the sidewalk next to your property.
- Corner lots must clear both the front and the side (flank) sidewalk.
- Fines start at $50 and rise to $150 for repeat offences in the same year.
- Dangerous snow or ice on roofs, eaves and awnings near a sidewalk must be removed at once.
- Shovel onto your yard or boulevard, never into the alley or the road.
What Does the Lethbridge Snow Removal Bylaw Say?
Lethbridge’s Snow Removal Bylaw 4865 has been in effect since December 1, 1997. Section 3 requires the owner or occupant of any property next to a sidewalk to “clear away any snow, ice, dirt or other obstruction from the front and flank of the abutting sidewalk” within 24 hours after it is deposited or forms.
In plain terms: if a public sidewalk runs along your property, keeping it clear is your job, not the City’s. The City’s own sidewalk snow removal page confirms that residents and business owners are responsible for the sidewalk adjacent to their property.
Lethbridge Snow Bylaw Fines at a Glance
| Offence | Penalty (per calendar year) |
| Failure to clear sidewalk, first offence | $50 |
| Failure to clear sidewalk, second offence | $100 |
| Failure to clear sidewalk, third or later offence | $150 |
| Failure to remove dangerous roof, eave or awning snow and ice | Same $50 / $100 / $150 schedule |
| Maximum fine on conviction | Up to $250, plus up to $50 per day for a continuing offence |
Source: City of Lethbridge Snow Removal Bylaw 4865, Schedule A and sections 6 to 7.
Tags can be served in person, by registered mail or simply posted on your property, and you have 21 days to pay. A $50 ticket is small, but the real cost is a slip-and-fall on your walk. Many Lethbridge homeowners now book a seasonal sidewalk and driveway clearing service so the 24-hour clock is never their problem.
Who Is Responsible: Owner or Tenant?
The bylaw names the “owner or occupant,” which means a tenant can be responsible as well as the landlord. To avoid disputes:
- Landlords: put snow clearing in the lease, or hire a contractor to cover every rental you own.
- Tenants: confirm in writing who clears the walk before the first snowfall.
- Businesses: you are responsible for the public sidewalk along your frontage, in addition to your own lot and entrances. Ask about commercial snow clearing and sanding.
Does the Corner Lot Rule Apply to You?
Yes, if you live on a corner. The bylaw covers the “front and flank” of the sidewalk, so corner-lot owners must clear the long side sidewalk too. That can double or triple the shovelling, which is why corner lots are among the first homes on our winter routes.
What Does the City Clear, and What Is on You?
According to the City of Lethbridge, crews clear more than 215 km of sidewalks and pathways using a priority system:
| Priority | Target Time | Examples |
| 1 | Within 24 hours | City Hall, libraries, transit terminals |
| 2 | Within 48 hours | School-ground sidewalks, regional trails and major parks |
| 3 | Within 72 hours | Community park pathways and connecting sidewalks |
| 4 | Within 96 hours | Other public sidewalks that do not front homes or businesses |
The City does not clear the sidewalk in front of your home or business. That one is yours.
Don’t Forget Your Roof, Eaves and Awnings
Section 4 of the bylaw applies to buildings next to, or within 3 metres of, a road or public place. If snow or ice on a roof, eave or awning creates a danger to people walking below, it must be removed at once, with care for passersby. Storefronts and older homes built close to the sidewalk should watch for icicles after every Chinook thaw.
Why Lethbridge Sidewalks Are So Hard to Keep Clear
Chinook winds can push temperatures above freezing in hours, melt the snow, then refreeze it overnight into a sheet of ice. One snowfall can mean shovelling, then salting, then breaking up ice again the next morning. That cycle is why a single pass with a shovel often is not enough to stay compliant, and why professional ice management with ice melt and sanding matters as much as snow clearing here.
How to Stay Compliant All Winter
- Clear early. Do not wait for the snow to stop for a full day. Start the 24-hour clock in your favour.
- Clear the full width of the sidewalk, down to the surface where possible.
- Treat ice with ice melt or sand, especially after a Chinook refreeze.
- Shovel onto your yard or boulevard, never into the alley or onto the road.
- Check roof edges for icicles and overhanging snow near the walkway.
- Plan for when you are away. Holidays, work trips and illness do not pause the bylaw.
- Book a contractor before the first big storm. Winter routes fill up fast.
DIY, On-Call or Seasonal: Which Option Fits You?
There are three common ways Lethbridge homeowners and businesses meet the 24-hour rule:
| Option | Best For | Watch Out For |
| Do it yourself | Small frontages, healthy homeowners with flexible mornings | Early starts, Chinook ice, travel and sick days |
| On-call clearing | Light winters or occasional backup | Waiting in line after a big storm when every crew is busy |
| Seasonal snow removal | Corner lots, seniors, landlords, busy families and businesses | Choose a provider that handles ice, not just snow |
Comparing ways to stay compliant with the Lethbridge snow bylaw.
If you are already paying in time, sore backs or bylaw tags, a seasonal plan is usually the simplest answer. You stay on the route all winter, the sidewalk gets done within the window, and icy mornings get treated without another phone call. Our residential and commercial snow removal plans are built for exactly that, and you can request pricing for your property in a couple of minutes.
| Let us handle the 24-hour rule for you. Lawn Boys / LCW Industries clears Lethbridge sidewalks, driveways and lots with the largest fleet of snow blowers in Lethbridge, plus ice melt and sanding. See Our Snow Removal Service | Call 403-394-1114 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to clear my sidewalk in Lethbridge?
Under the City of Lethbridge Snow Removal Bylaw 4865, you must clear snow, ice and debris from the sidewalk next to your property within 24 hours after it falls or forms.
How much is the fine for not shovelling in Lethbridge?
Bylaw 4865 sets penalties of $50 for a first offence, $100 for a second and $150 for a third or later offence in the same calendar year. A court can impose up to $250, plus up to $50 per day for a continuing offence.
Do I have to clear the side sidewalk on a corner lot?
Yes. The bylaw requires you to clear the front and flank of the abutting sidewalk, which includes the side sidewalk on a corner lot.
Does the bylaw apply to renters?
The bylaw names the owner or occupant, so tenants can be responsible too. Landlords and tenants should agree in writing on who clears the walk, or hire a snow removal service to cover it.
Where should I put the snow from my sidewalk?
The City asks residents to shovel onto their own yard or boulevard, not into the alley or onto the road.
Can I hire someone to keep my sidewalk bylaw-compliant?
Yes. Lawn Boys / LCW Industries clears residential and commercial sidewalks, driveways and lots across Lethbridge, with ice melt and sanding for icy conditions. Call 403-394-1114 for a free quote.
Never Worry About a Snow Ticket Again
| Book your Lethbridge snow removal before the first big storm. Our qualified, insured crew serves North, South and West Lethbridge, for homes, rentals and businesses. We clear the snow, treat the ice and keep you bylaw-ready all season. Get a Free Snow Removal Quote | View Snow Removal Services | Call 403-394-1114 |