How Snow Removal Handles Accessible Parking Compliance

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Accessible parking spots come with legal requirements that don't pause for winter, and business owners are responsible for making sure these spots and their access aisles stay usable even during active snow removal.

Access aisles next to accessible parking spots need to stay clear, not just the parking spot itself. These narrow aisles are how someone using a wheelchair or mobility device gets in and out of their vehicle, and snow or ice here effectively blocks access even if the parking spot itself looks clear.

Ramps and curb cuts connecting accessible spots to the building entrance need the same priority. A snow-covered or icy ramp defeats the purpose of accessible parking entirely, since the person can park but still can't safely reach the building.

Prioritizing these areas in the service order matters, not treating them as a lower priority than general parking. A contractor who clears the bulk of the lot first and gets to accessible spots last isn't meeting the actual need, since those spots and their access routes should be treated as high priority from the start of every visit.

At Thames Valley Snow, sidewalks, entrances and ramps on commercial sites are hand-cleared and salted on every visit. If your property has accessible parking, confirm with your contractor that these spaces and the routes to the door are part of the plan.

Why Ramps and Entrances Need Hand Work

A plow moves snow well across open pavement, but it cannot properly clear a curb cut, a ramp or a narrow access aisle beside a building. Those spots need a shovel and salt. On our commercial sites, sidewalks, entrances and ramps are hand-cleared and salted, so the path from an accessible space to the door is treated as part of the job.

Keep Piles Out of the Way

One of the easiest ways to lose an accessible space in winter is to pile snow in it, or in the aisle beside it. We pile snow away from doors and drains. When you set up your plan, point out the accessible spaces so they are kept out of the storage areas.

Drains near ramps deserve attention as well. Snow that melts during the day and runs across a ramp will refreeze overnight. Before the season, we mark edges, steps and drains so they can be found under snow.

Clear Before People Arrive

Commercial sites are cleared before opening, and service starts automatically at 5 cm of snow. During long storms there are return visits, so accessible routes do not fill back in during the day.

A Record of Every Visit

Each visit is logged with a timestamped photo. If someone reports that a ramp was icy, the photo log shows when the site was last cleared and salted. We also carry $2,000,000 in liability insurance, with certificates and additional insured status available, and we are WSIB registered and LPMA members.

Freezing Rain Counts Too

Accessible routes can become unusable with no snow at all. Freezing rain and overnight refreeze leave a thin glaze on ramps that is hard to see. Our seasonal salting includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, so ice events are covered as well as snowfall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ramps and curb cuts included?

Yes. On commercial sites, sidewalks, entrances and ramps are hand-cleared and salted.

How is a commercial site priced?

Per site, based on paved area, walkway length and opening time. A written quote usually comes within 2 business days.

Want a fixed price for your property? Request a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about our commercial snow removal and salting and ice control.

What's included… and what's extra

Commercial snow service is priced per site from paved area, walkway length and opening time. A typical contract includes plowing at the agreed trigger depth, clearing before opening, hand-cleared entrances, sidewalks and ramps, and a timestamped photo log of every visit.

Common extras are quoted separately so you only pay for what the site needs: salting and de-icing per event, extra sidewalk or ramp coverage, after-hours or priority service, and snow relocation when piles run out of room. See commercial snow removal or request a site quote by calling or texting (548) 888-8702.