Snowplow Damage Reporting
Our staff is trained to handle whatever winter throws at us, and all our plows are equipped with GPS and dashboard cameras. We also use snow markers to guide plows in certain areas. Despite our best efforts, sometimes, when visibility is low or the ground is soft, the road or sidewalk plow blade can damage property.
Report damage
If your property was damaged by City snow plows or equipment during winter maintenance, you can report it for inspection and possible repair.
You can report damage in a few easy ways:
- Complete the online form
- Phone 905-356-7521
- Email service@niagarafalls.ca
Note: Include the location of the damage (address or nearest intersection). A photo is optional, but it can help staff assess and respond to your request more quickly.
Prevent damage
Keep the City’s right-of-way clear. To prevent damage, ensure the area is free of obstacles like landscaping hedges, rocks, private curbing, and underground irrigation systems. The right-of-way includes the boulevard and land up to your property line.
- Underground irrigation systems: These should not be placed on City property. If a plow damages an irrigation system located in the City’s right-of-way, it will not be replaced.
- Overgrown hedges and shrubs: Operators can find it difficult to maneuver a trackless sidewalk plow around overgrown bushes next to sidewalks. Keep them trimmed back.
- Snow markers: Place markers near your curb and sidewalk to help guide the plow, especially when the snow is deep, and edges are harder to see
How we respond to snowplow damage
Some older sidewalks in the city are undersized compared to the sidewalk plow blade. The machine is 4’ 2” wide when the blade is angled. Most sidewalks in Niagara Falls are between 4' and 5' wide, leaving little room for error. We will investigate and repair snowplow damage in the spring, when the weather is nicer and snow is no longer falling.
Rural mailboxes: If you think a city plow has damaged your roadside mailbox, please contact us as soon as possible with the details.
Can I fix damaged sod myself and get reimbursed?
Yes. If city operations damaged the sod and you wish to repair the area yourself, please call the Municipal Service Centre at 905-356-1355 to speak with an operator.
- We may reimburse you for damage to sod caused by a city road plow, city sidewalk plow, watermain break repair, curb stop repair, hydrant repair or city tree removal (except for capital construction projects still within warranty)
- Staff will mark the damaged area and calculate the reimbursement amount
- You will need to agree to the conditions. Reimbursement covers materials only (soil, seed, or sod) but not labour
- After inspection, you can expect payment within 30 days
- This is a faster option for those who do not want to wait for the city contractor to complete all the various repairs on their city-wide work list, which includes asphalt, concrete, and sod repairs. These repairs can take some time to complete and be scheduled well into the fall, depending on the weather and the total sites included on the list.
Note: The city is not responsible for repaired sod that dies due to a lack of water.
Canada Post community mailboxes
Canada Post is responsible for maintaining all community mailboxes. To report damage or request snow clearing at the base of the community mailbox, visit the Canada Post website.
Contact Us
City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca