Preventing snowplow damage to your landscaping: a Montreal homeowner checklist

Every spring, Montreal homeowners discover the same unwelcome surprises: torn-up sod along the sidewalk edge, a cracked retaining wall, a bent fence post, or a hedge that's been sheared by a snow blower arm. Snowplow and snow removal damage is one of the most common frustrations of living in a city that clears 11,000 kilometres of streets and sidewalks every winter.

You can't stop the plows from coming, but you can protect your property and know your rights when damage happens.

Why damage occurs

Montreal's snow removal process involves heavy equipment operating in tight spaces, often overnight, in poor visibility:

• Sidewalk plows have blades that run close to property lines and can catch on anything that extends beyond the sidewalk edge
• Snow blowers during loading operations send snow flying, and the intake can grab small objects, garden borders, and low fencing
• Dump trucks and loaders operating on narrow streets sometimes clip structures near the road

The City of Montreal's three-phase system means your property edge gets heavy equipment passes multiple times per storm: first for plowing, then for loading. Over a season with six or more major operations, that adds up to dozens of passes.

The 45 cm rule

Here's something many homeowners don't know: in certain Montreal boroughs, your lawn, hedge, and landscaping must be positioned within 45 cm of and level with the inside edge of the sidewalk to qualify for borough repair coverage. Fences should be set back even further from the sidewalk edge.

If your landscaping extends beyond the sidewalk edge or sits above sidewalk level, the borough may not take responsibility for damage.

Pre-winter protection checklist

Mark your property edges

• Install tall, reflective driveway stakes along the edges of your driveway, garden beds, and any structures near the sidewalk or road. Bright orange or yellow stakes with reflective tape are visible to plow operators at night.
• Space stakes every 1.5 to 2 metres along vulnerable edges. Use closer spacing in areas where you've had previous damage.
• Use sturdy materials. Thin plastic stakes snap easily. Fibreglass or heavy-duty plastic stakes last the full season.

Protect structures and hardscaping

• Move lightweight items indoors. Decorative planters, garden ornaments, solar lights, and mailbox accessories should come inside before the first snow.
• Reinforce fence posts near the sidewalk. If a fence post is already loose in fall, a single plow pass will finish it off. Tighten or replace vulnerable posts before winter.
• Pad retaining wall corners with temporary protection. Stacked sandbags or snow fence along a retaining wall's exposed face can absorb impact.

Prepare your lawn and garden beds

• Cut back perennials and remove any garden debris from the sidewalk zone. Plow operators can't see dead stems under snow, and the blades will rip out root crowns along with the snow.
• Roll up garden hose and remove edging stakes. Anything at ground level near the sidewalk becomes plow fodder.
• Photograph your property in late fall, before the first snow, from multiple angles. This documentation is essential if you need to file a damage claim.

Deal with your driveway approach

• Mark the edges clearly. The transition zone where your driveway meets the street is especially vulnerable. Stakes on both sides guide the plow operator.
• Repair cracks and edges before winter. Freeze-thaw cycles worsen existing damage, and a plow blade catching a loose edge can tear out a chunk of asphalt or paver.

During winter: ongoing vigilance

• Don't pile snow from your shovelling onto city property. It's against Montreal's rules to push snow from your walkway back onto the street or sidewalk, and it can interfere with plow operations.
• Keep salt-laden snow away from plants. De-icing salt damages plants. If the plow pushes salt-heavy snow against a hedge or tree trunk, try to pull it away when conditions allow.
• Watch for repeat damage spots. If the same area gets hit every operation, add extra staking or consider redesigning that edge in spring with a more resilient setback.

How to file a damage claim

The City of Montreal provides a formal process for reporting property damage caused by snow removal vehicles:

Lawn damage

Contact your borough directly. The deadline for lawn repair requests is May 10 of each year (some boroughs extend to May 15). The borough handles repairs directly or arranges for the contractor to do so. Approved damage is typically fixed after May 15.

Damage to structures and outdoor installations

For fences, hedges, driveways, walkways, retaining walls, or other structures, you must file a claim within 15 days of the incident. This is a firm deadline. Miss it and you lose your right to compensation.

File through:

• Online: the city's claim portal
• Phone: 311 (or 514-872-0311 from outside Montreal)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., weekends and holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vehicle damage

If a city vehicle strikes your parked car, contact your insurance company immediately.

Documentation you'll need

• Photos of the damage (this is why you photograph your property before winter)
• Date and approximate time of the incident, if known
• Description of what was damaged
• Your contact information and property address

Designing for resilience

The best long-term strategy is landscaping that accounts for winter equipment. When you're planning or renovating your front yard:

• Set garden beds back at least 50 cm from the sidewalk edge. This keeps plants outside the plow zone.
• Use raised borders made from durable materials. A low natural stone border set back from the sidewalk holds up better than a flush garden edge.
• Choose tough plants for the front strip. If you want planting near the sidewalk, pick species that regenerate quickly from root systems: native grasses, certain ground covers, and salt-tolerant shrubs.
• Avoid decorative elements in the plow zone. No amount of staking protects a delicate garden feature that sits 20 cm from the sidewalk.

Need help planning a plow-resistant front yard?

Montreal Paysagement Pro designs residential landscapes that look great year-round and survive Montreal winters. Call 514-900-3867 for a free phone or video estimate.