If you have spent any time recently staring out your window at a mountain of white fluff—or perhaps more accurately, trying to excavate your car from a rut—you are not alone. In fact, the city has had over 4000 snow complaints via 311 - over double what they received in all 2025. As we prepare for the City to move into a Phase 2 Parking Ban, understanding the "why" and "how" is essential for keeping our streets clear and avoiding a costly ticket - or worse. While this might be old hat for some folks, a lot of Edmontonians are enjoying their first ever winter in the City of Champions, so let’s get to it.
How We Got Here: A Record-Breaking December
It is easy to feel frustrated when residential side streets look more like the finale of American Gladiator than roadways, but context is important. Edmonton is struggling to recover from its sixth snowiest December on record. What’s worse, the bulk of this accumulation came over the Christmas break.
During the final weeks of December, while many were celebrating or taking well-earned time off, city crews were working around the clock. However, the sheer volume of continuous snowfall created a "loop" effect. In Edmonton’s snow removal hierarchy, Priority 1 routes (major arterials like Whitemud Drive and Wayne Gretzky Drive) must be cleared first for emergency access and transit. Because the snow kept falling, crews were forced to repeatedly circle back to these main arteries once they were completed, delaying the transition to residential neighborhoods.
The Shift to Phase 2: What Residents Need to Know
The City of Edmonton has officially announced that the Phase 2 Residential Parking Ban will begin on Monday, January 12, 2026. While Phase 1 focused on arterial roads, collector roads, and bus routes, Phase 2 is all about residential clearing. During Phase 2, crews will be working through neighborhoods to clear the pack down to a 5cm snow base. The last time they tried to get to bare pavement, they were flooded with complaints about the size of the windrows that were created, which impacted pedestrians, seniors and the disabled profoundly.
For this stage to be effective, the graders need the full width of the street. This means that when your neighborhood is scheduled for clearing, all vehicles must be moved off the street.
Where to Move Your Vehicle
Finding a spot for your car can be a logistical puzzle, especially in high-density areas. However, compliance is mandatory to avoid a $250 fine and the added cost of a tow. Residents are encouraged to use:
Personal driveways and garages
Rear parking pads or alleys (provided they do not block through-traffic)
Neighboring streets that have already been cleared and marked as "Phase 2 Complete” on the city’s website
Nearby arterial roads where the Phase 1 ban has already been lifted
You can track the progress of the clearing crews and see when your specific neighborhood is next on the list by visiting the City of Edmonton’s official Seasonal Parking Ban map.
Why This Matters
While the parking ban requires a bit of shuffling and patience, the end result is a safer, more navigable city. Clearer residential roads mean easier commutes for workers, safer routes for school buses, and reduced response times for emergency crews. Of note, the City has acknowledged the logistical hurdles residents face and has committed to providing more transparency regarding the clearing schedule to ensure fewer surprises for homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know exactly when my street will be cleared?
The City provides an automated notification system. You can sign up for email or text alerts, or use the City of Edmonton’s "Safe Travel" app to receive updates specific to your zone.
I live in a new infill development with 8 units but only 4 parking stalls. Where am I supposed to go?
This is a common challenge in modern developments following the City's Open Option Parking policy, which removed minimum parking requirements in 2020. Unfortunately, there are no special exemptions for infill residents. The City’s stance is that the responsibility for finding legal parking rests with the vehicle owner. If your on-site stalls are full, you must move your vehicle to a nearby arterial or collector road where the Phase 1 ban has already been lifted. Additionally, some EPark zones offer free overnight parking from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., which can be a lifeline for those in high-density areas.
Can I park on the street as soon as I see the grader pass by?
No. You should wait until the street is cleared and the City has officially declared the ban lifted for your specific area.9 Sometimes crews need to make multiple passes or bring in secondary equipment to remove windrows.
What happens if I don't move my car?
Vehicles left on the street during a Phase 2 ban are subject to a $250 fine. More importantly, they may be "relocated" (towed to a nearby street that has already been cleared). The worst case scenario is that your neighbourhood might be skipped completely and moved to the “back of the line”, which probably means you are NOT invited to the cookout.
Are windrows going to block my driveway?
Yeah, probably - at least in the short term. The City’s policy is to maintain access by clearing a 1.5-car-width opening for driveways and corner crosswalks, usually within four hours of the initial plow. If it’s been 4 hours and they haven’t returned to clear your driveway, call 311.
Why did my neighbor's street get cleared before mine?
They have to start somewhere, and nobody gets preferential treatment. The City organizes Phase 2 by neighborhood zones. The schedule is determined by equipment availability and logistical efficiency rather than a house-by-house request system. Every road in Edmonton is rutted and terrible, and unfortunately, your situation is not unique. You can check your zone’s status on the City’s interactive map, which I’ve linked to earlier in this article.
If you’re looking for places in Edmonton that are easy to navigate year round, or you want to sell fast and find a beach, I’m happy to help. Call or text me any time at 780-232-2064 or email me at mike@pabianrealty.ca.
