Commercial Snow Site Plans in London, Ontario: Where to Pile Snow
A commercial snow site plan is a marked-up map of your property that shows where snow will be stored, what must be cleared first and which hazards plow operators need to avoid. Snow piles should go on level ground at the edges of the lot, where meltwater drains away from walkways and toward a drainage feature, and never in accessible parking spaces, on fire hydrants, over catch basins or near wells and watercourses. Mark it all with stakes before the first snowfall.
London averages about 194 cm of snow a year, based on Environment Canada climate normals, so there is a lot to store. Late October is the right time to walk your site with your snow contractor and get the plan on paper.
Why a Pre-Season Site Plan Matters
Every winter, the same problems show up on poorly planned lots:
Piles block sightlines at entrances and exits.
Meltwater runs across sidewalks and refreezes overnight.
Catch basins are buried, so slush has nowhere to go.
Accessible parking spaces disappear under plowed snow.
Curbs, signs, landscaping and lights are damaged by plows that cannot see them.
Snow storage eats into parking spaces the business needs.
A site plan solves most of these before they start. It also gives your contractor, property manager and staff one shared reference, and it supports good documentation. For more on liability timelines, read our article on the 60-day notice rule for commercial snow and ice.
Where to Pile Snow: Best Practices
Ontario conservation authorities, planning guidance and the snow industry agree on the basics.
Do
Pile on level ground at the edges of the lot, rather than in the middle of drive aisles.
Choose spots that get lots of sunlight so piles melt sooner.
Make sure meltwater drains away from high-traffic areas toward a drainage feature, so it does not refreeze on walkways.
Leave a vegetated buffer between piles and waterways where possible.
Plan for the whole season. Pick storage that will still have room after the biggest storms, and plan for hauling if it fills up.
Sign storage areas so every operator knows where snow goes.
Do not
Never block sightlines at entrances, exits and the ends of parking rows.
Never pile snow in or near accessible parking spaces.
Never bury fire hydrants or fire lanes.
Do not pile snow over catch basins, storm drains or ditches.
Do not pile snow near wells or watercourses. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's smart winter maintenance guidance advises placing piles away from wells, ditches, storm drains and watercourses.
Do not pile salty snow on shrubs, trees and planting beds. Salt-laden runoff can sicken or kill plants.
Do not push snow onto the street or sidewalk. The City of London's winter maintenance page states that moving snow from your driveway to the street or sidewalk is illegal.
Source water protection areas
Some properties sit in drinking water protection zones around municipal wells. A 2025 source water fact sheet for the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley region notes that storing large amounts of snow in one area concentrates contaminants and that snow cannot be moved into wellhead protection zones A and B. If your property is near a municipal wellhead, check before you choose a storage area.
What to Put on Your Snow Site Map
The Snow & Ice Management Association's site awareness checklist is a helpful starting point. A good London-area site map shows:
Snow storage areas, with backup areas for big storms
Priority areas: main entrances, exits, stairs, ramps, accessible routes and fire lanes
Accessible parking spaces and the routes between them and the building
Catch basins, drains and downspouts, which must be marked and kept clear
Fire hydrants and fire department connections
Curbs, islands, speed bumps, bollards and light poles
Landscaped areas, trees and irrigation heads to protect
Loading docks and garbage enclosures with access times
Slopes and known icing spots where meltwater collects
Where salt or de-icer is stored, and areas where reduced salt is needed
How Different Properties Handle Storage
Every site is different, but a few patterns come up again and again around London:
Retail plazas usually have the most traffic during business hours, so storage tends to go at the far edges of the lot, away from storefronts and entrances. When piles start eating into customer parking, it is time to haul.
Office buildings often have quiet weekends and evenings, which gives crews time to push piles back and widen drive aisles.
Industrial sites need truck routes, loading docks and fire lanes open around the clock, so storage must stay out of turning paths.
Apartment and condo properties have cars parked overnight, so the plan needs to show how crews will clear around vehicles and when residents should move them.
Medical offices, schools and places of worship often have more people using accessible spaces and ramps, which become top priority on the plan.
On-Site Storage vs. Hauling
On-site storage is usually the cheapest option, but it has limits. As piles grow, they take up parking, block sightlines and send more meltwater across the lot. Hauling snow off site costs more per event but frees up space after major storms. A good contract spells out who decides when hauling is needed, how it is priced and where the snow will go. Talk this through before winter, not during a January storm.
Staking the Site Before the First Snow
SIMA recommends installing snow markers and stakes before services begin and noting them on the snow map. Stake:
Curbs and curb returns at entrances
Islands and medians
Catch basins in snow storage areas
Fire hydrants
Edges of walkways that meet lawn or planting beds
Speed bumps and low obstacles
Tall, bright stakes save money every winter by preventing damage to curbs, sod and equipment.
Salt, Drainage and the Smart About Salt Program
Pile placement and salt use go hand in hand. If meltwater from a pile crosses a walkway, you will spend more on salt all winter. The Smart About Salt Council certifies both contractors and sites in Ontario. Certification requires Essentials of Salt Management training within the past five years, a self-assessment and an annual report. The source water fact sheet above recommends asking whether your contractor is Smart About Salt trained. Our article on de-icing salt damage explains how salt affects concrete, interlock and plants.
Pre-Season Walkthrough Checklist
Walk the property with your contractor in daylight.
Mark storage areas, priority areas and hazards on the map.
Confirm service triggers, response times and salt or sand expectations.
Install stakes and markers.
Clear catch basins and drains of fall leaves.
Confirm emergency contacts and after-hours access.
Decide when snow will be hauled off site if storage fills up.
Share the final map with property managers, tenants and the snow crew.
If you are still choosing a contract, see our comparison of seasonal vs. per-push snow contracts.
FAQ
Where should snow be piled in a commercial parking lot?
On level ground at the edges of the lot, in sunny spots where meltwater drains away from walkways toward a drainage feature. Avoid accessible spaces, hydrants, catch basins, sightlines and landscaping.
Can I push snow onto the road in London, Ontario?
No. The City of London states that moving snow from your driveway to the street or sidewalk is illegal.
Why stake a parking lot before winter?
Stakes show plow operators where curbs, islands, drains, hydrants and landscaped edges are once they are buried. SIMA recommends installing them before services begin.
How much snow does London get?
London averages about 194 cm of snow a year, based on Environment Canada's 1981 to 2010 climate normals.
What is Smart About Salt certification?
It is an Ontario program that certifies snow contractors and sites. It requires salt management training within the past five years, a self-assessment and an annual report.
Book Your Pre-Season Site Walk
SPM Landscape & Excavation has provided commercial snow plowing and salting in London since 2006. We are WSIB covered with $1 million in liability insurance. See our services, then call (519) 474-0008 or email spmlandscape@gmail.com to set up your site plan and quote.
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