Edmonton drivers faced a costly end to 2025 as the city's initial winter parking bans led to a significant wave of tickets and tows. Enforcement during the first two seasonal bans in December resulted in more than $61,000 in fines and the removal of dozens of vehicles from city streets.
December Ban Enforcement Details
According to data released by the City of Edmonton, bylaw officers were busy throughout the month. During the Phase 1 parking ban, which was in effect from December 17 to 22, officials issued 113 tickets and authorized the towing of 12 vehicles. The enforcement activity continued with the second ban from December 28 to 31, where 132 tickets were written and 21 vehicles were towed.
Valerie Dacyk, general supervisor of parks and roads services, acknowledged on December 30 that the city has "had some challenges with compliance." The enforcement was not evenly distributed across the ban periods. A single day, December 19, saw 11 vehicles towed during the first ban. Similarly, December 30 was a peak day during the second ban, with 15 vehicles removed. In total, eight drivers received warnings and moved their vehicles in time to avoid a tow.
Financial Impact and Seasonal Challenges
Combining the two enforcement periods, the city handed out a total of 245 tickets. With each ticket carrying a fine of $250, the total revenue from these infractions reached $61,250. This substantial figure comes as Edmonton grapples with a much snowier winter than the previous year.
Dacyk noted that as of December 30, the city had already received 72 centimetres of snowfall, a sharp increase from the 47 centimetres recorded by the same time in 2024. The winter has also been marked by extreme temperature swings, ranging from frigid lows below -30 C to unseasonably warm highs near 5 C.
City's Snow Clearing Strategy
To manage the significant accumulation, the city deploys a fleet of 80 to 100 trucks to plow its vast network of approximately 12,000 kilometres of road. The strategy follows a phased approach: primary roads are cleared first, with crews then moving into residential neighbourhoods.
Dacyk urged residents to sign up for the city's notification service to receive alerts about when snow clearing operations will reach their area. She reminded citizens that Phase 2 parking bans, which affect residential zones, can last for up to 14 days to allow for complete clearing.
The city also outlined procedures for residents needing assistance or reporting issues. Roads requiring snow removal can be reported through the 311 service. The same channel can be used to file a claim if city equipment accidentally damages private property during snow clearing operations. The city reiterates that property owners remain responsible for clearing snow from their own sidewalks and driveways.
