FORT MCMURRAY — Drivers who leave vehicles parked illegally during winter maintenance operations in Fort McMurray will face sharply higher fines this season as the RMWB rolls out changes aimed at keeping snow-clearing crews moving.
Council has approved updates to the Urban Snow and Ice Control Program Policy and the Roads and Transportation Bylaw, including a jump in the parking fine from $120 to $400 for vehicles parked illegally during winter maintenance.
Residents who pay within seven days will receive a reduced fine of $240.
The municipality says illegally parked vehicles caused significant delays during the 2025-26 winter and, in some cases, prevented crews from accessing streets scheduled for maintenance.
Under the updated policy, vehicles parked illegally may also be towed to the nearest available lawful parking location, such as a nearby street where parking restrictions are not in effect.
The changes are part of a broader overhaul of the Winter Maintenance Zone program following what the municipality described as a challenging winter season.
Residents told the RMWB they wanted more reliable service, clearer information and stronger enforcement when parked vehicles interfere with snow-clearing operations.
A new Winter Maintenance Zone progress map will also be introduced this season.
Residents will be able to search their street to see whether winter maintenance has been completed or delayed, along with the reason for any delay.
The updated policy also introduces a formal Extreme Weather Response Plan with specific operational triggers.
When an extreme weather response is activated, regular Winter Maintenance Zone schedules may be temporarily paused so crews can be reassigned to higher-priority areas.
Additional parking restrictions may also be introduced during extreme weather events.
The municipality says residents will receive at least one day’s notice before an extreme weather response or related parking ban takes effect.
For the first time, the policy also sets projected service timelines under normal weather conditions.
Snow plowing in Winter Maintenance Zones is expected to be completed within two weeks, while snow removal is expected to take up to four weeks.
The municipality cautions those timelines may be affected by weather, equipment availability, operational demands and other factors.
Winter Maintenance Zone operations may also continue through statutory holidays and school breaks when required.
Drivers are being asked to move their vehicles by 7 a.m. on their designated maintenance day or within 24 hours after temporary no-parking signs are posted.
The municipality has also renamed its priority road categories outside the Winter Maintenance Zone program.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary routes will now be known as Priority One, Priority Two and Priority Three routes.
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