Updated October 2026 · Winter 2026–27

Tired of shovelling, away for the winter, or just want the driveway clear before work? Here’s everything you need to choose snow removal in Cobourg, Port Hope and across Northumberland County, including the local sidewalk rules most people don’t know about.

Local snow removal companies

Know a great local snow removal company? Tell us about it. Run one? Add your business to the directory, free.

Seasonal contract or pay per visit?

Most local companies offer one or both of these:

• Seasonal contract: one price for the whole winter, usually November to March or April, no matter how much it snows. You’re on the company’s route, so they come automatically. Good if you want peace of mind or will be away.
• Per visit: you pay each time they come. It can cost less in a light winter, but you may have to call each time, and regular contract customers usually come first after a big storm.

What’s a “trigger depth”? It’s how much snow has to fall before the company comes out, often a few centimetres. A lower trigger means more visits. Ask what the trigger is and whether it’s written in the contract.

What’s usually included

Every company is different, so check exactly what your price covers:

• Clearing the driveway
• The windrow, the heavy ridge of snow the town plow leaves at the end of your driveway
• Front walkway, steps and porch (often extra)
• The public sidewalk in front of your home (often extra)
• Salting or sanding icy spots (often extra)

Know the local sidewalk rules

In much of Northumberland County, clearing the public sidewalk in front of your home is your job, not the town’s. If you hire a company, make sure the sidewalk is included.

Cobourg

• Owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk beside their property, including windrows, no later than midnight on the day after a snowfall.
• Any slippery spots that remain must be sanded or salted.
• You can’t move snow from your property onto the sidewalk or the road.

Port Hope

• The town clears sidewalks only in mapped priority areas. Elsewhere, property owners are responsible.
• Owners have 48 hours from the start of a snowfall to clear their sidewalk, or 6 hours in the downtown Heritage Business Improvement Area.
• The ridge of snow the plow leaves across your driveway is yours to clear, and it’s illegal to push snow onto the road.

Live elsewhere in the county? Brighton, Cramahe, Alnwick/Haldimand, Hamilton Township and Trent Hills each set their own rules. Check your municipality’s website or call the town office.

Cobourg’s Snow Clearing Assistance Pilot

For winter 2026–27 (November 1 to March 31), the Town of Cobourg is running a pilot program for residents aged 65 and older, or who can’t clear snow because of a disability. For a $100 seasonal fee, the town clears about a 3-foot path on the municipal sidewalk along the property and the centre of the windrow at the end of the driveway, after more than 5 cm of snow and once plowing routes are done. It doesn’t cover full driveways, private walkways or salting.

The pilot is limited to 25 participants chosen by lottery, and applications for this winter have closed. Watch the Town of Cobourg website for news about future seasons, or call (905) 372-4301 ext. 7669.

10 questions to ask before you sign

1. Do you offer a seasonal contract, per-visit service, or both?
2. What’s your trigger depth, and is it in writing?
3. How soon after a snowfall will you come, and do you come back if it keeps snowing?
4. Do you clear the windrow at the end of the driveway?
5. Are walkways, steps and the public sidewalk included?
6. Is salting or sanding included, or extra?
7. Are you insured if there’s damage to my property, lawn or car?
8. What happens if your equipment breaks down during a storm?
9. When is payment due, and what’s the cancellation policy?
10. Can you give me a few local references?

Frequently asked questions

When should I book snow removal?

As early as you can, ideally in October or early November. Many companies have a limited number of spots on their routes and fill up before the first big snowfall.

Do I have to clear the sidewalk in front of my house in Cobourg?

Yes. Under Cobourg’s Ice and Snow Removal By-law, owners and occupants must clear snow and ice from the sidewalk beside their property no later than midnight on the day after a snowfall, and sand or salt any slippery spots.

How long do I have to clear my sidewalk in Port Hope?

Outside the areas the town clears, Port Hope property owners have 48 hours from the start of a snowfall, or 6 hours in the downtown Heritage Business Improvement Area.

Is a seasonal contract worth it?

It depends on the winter and your needs. A seasonal contract gives you a set price and automatic service, which is helpful if you’re away or can’t shovel. Per-visit service can cost less in a mild winter, but you may wait longer after a big storm.

Sources: Town of Cobourg Ice and Snow Removal By-law 014-2025; Town of Cobourg: 2026–2027 Snow Clearing Assistance Pilot Program; Municipality of Port Hope: Snow plowing and snow removal. Rules can change, so check with your municipality. Listing a business in our directory is not an endorsement.