Municipal Services
Get up-to-date information on construction, maintenance, snowfall, flooding, or other issues currently affecting Municipal roads by registering with VoyentAlert.
If your situation is urgent, you can call us 24 hours a day at 705-497-6516. This after-hours emergency number will direct your information to the appropriate staff.
Please Note: The Municipality of Callander is not responsible for road maintenance issues that arise on Provincial Highways, including Highway 11, Highway 94, and Highway 654. The form, above, specifically relates to road concerns within the Municipality of Callander.
The Municipality of Callander is responsible for the maintenance of roads, comprised of paved, surface treated, and gravel surfaces. The annual road maintenance program includes:
Illegal dumping is commonly found in the Municipality’s rural areas, vacant lots, and roadside. Most illegal dumping is done to avoid either fees at recycling centers or the time and effort required for proper disposal.
Illegal dumping of residual waste is more than just an annoyance or an inconvenient eyesore; it unnecessarily costs ratepayers money.
Area residents are urged to report anyone suspected of illegally dumping waste material to the Municipal By-law Officer or by calling North Bay Police.
Crack sealing is a rehabilitation method used to keep excess water or moisture from penetrating asphalt and to prevent further cracking and deterioration of our paved roads. Crack sealing is scheduled to be completed throughout the summer construction season from approximately June to August of each year.
Trees, brush, and grass growing in municipal road allowances may reduce visibility at intersections, block traffic signs, and create snow drifts. The Municipality completes an annual brushing and mowing program to remove these driver hazards.
Spring sweeping removes the loose gravel, mud, and various other materials from Callander’s roads which have accumulated over the winter months. The Municipality begins sweeping as soon as weather and road conditions permit, typically in late May and the program typically runs for four to six weeks.
Culverts serve an important function in the management of water flow in Callander. They are typically built under roads, approaches, highways, structures, or pathways to prevent runoff and allow the movement of water underneath.
The Municipality of Callander routinely inspects and repairs damaged culverts. In recent years, Callander has upgraded the diameter of select culverts to improve stormwater management and reduce flooding issues in some areas.
While most culverts needing repair or replacement are identified by Operations staff, residents can also report a problem if they notice excess water build-up on their property or in their ditches.
The Municipality of Callander allows property owners to establish new driveway approaches or entrances, or to modify existing ones so residents can park on their property. Landowners must obtain permission from the Municipality’s Operations department to:
For driveways and approaches that are not part of a subdivision request, please submit an Entrance Permit Application (PDF). The completed application form can be returned to:
All new and upgraded approach locations must be inspected by the Municipality in advance and at the completion stage to ensure that municipal standards are followed.
The public road allowance is a shared space used to deliver services and public utilities while allowing controlled access to adjacent properties. Callander is required to coordinate activities to ensure public safety, reduce public impact and protect Municipal assets from damage, and reduce liability. Therefore, all homeowners, contractors, and businesses doing work or other activities that require temporary occupancy of a municipal road, sidewalk, boulevard, or right-of-way beyond its intended use require prior municipal knowledge and approval.
It is the responsibility of any resident, business, or contractor to apply for a road occupancy permit before occupancy.
These activities include:
The Municipality of Callander maintains all public road right-of-ways within the Municipality, excluding provincial highways. Part of Callander’s winter road maintenance program includes snow and ice control on all roads and sidewalks to ensure the safety of residents and travelers.
Routes are prioritized by road classification, in accordance with the Minimum Maintenance Standards as set out by the Province of Ontario and the Municipal Council.
The Municipality devotes a great deal of resources to keeping streets and sidewalks clear of snow and ice after a snowfall. Residents often deposit snow and ice from their property onto the street or sidewalk not realizing that this contravenes Municipal by-laws, contributes to unsafe driving and walking conditions, and increases the cost of providing winter road maintenance. When you're clearing snow from your driveway, please keep this snow on your property. Your efforts in making winter driving and walking safe for everyone are appreciated.
On-Street Overnight Parking Restrictions
As per the Traffic and Parking By-law 2022-1772, on-street parking is not permitted overnight on any Municipal roads from November 1 to March 31 between 11 pm and 7 am every year. This allows our Operations Staff to safely clear snow from roads overnight.
Municipality's Responsibilities
Winter maintenance on Provincial highways, including Highway 11, Highway 94, and Highway 654 is NOT managed by the Municipality of Callander.
During winter months, our Operations Staff ensures that all public roadways are as safe and accessible as possible. Operations staff maintains Municipal-owned parking zones, parking lots, and crosswalks.
Sidewalks are also maintained by the Operations Staff. Residents are asked to try to keep vehicles parked away from sidewalks whenever possible so both our road and sidewalk plows can better clean the roads.
The Municipality is also responsible for keeping fire hydrants clear for emergency services.
Residents' Responsibilities
Overnight on-street parking is not permitted from November 1st to March 31st from 11 pm to 7 am. This ensures the Municipality can completely clear streets of snow, and that large emergency vehicles can get down the street.
It is the residents' responsibility to keep snow cleared on their property. The Municipality devotes a great deal of resources to keeping streets and sidewalks clear of snow and ice after a snowfall. Residents often deposit snow and ice from their property onto the street or sidewalk not realizing that this is against the Depositing Ice and Snow By-law 2023-1792, contributes to unsafe driving and walking conditions, and increases the cost of providing winter maintenance. When you are clearing snow from your driveway, please keep this snow on your property.
Tip for clearing driveways: Piling snow to the right side of the driveway can help reduce the amount of snow pushed back into the driveway. Standing in the driveway and looking at the street determines the right side. Don’t forget to remove your parked car from the street during snow removal operations.
Do you need help clearing the snow from your driveway, or can you help other residents?
Snow Angels Canada is an online platform where residents who require assistance with snow shoveling can post a request for service and volunteers in their area can reach out to help. Visit snowangelscanada.ca to join the program! The Municipality does not own or operate the online platform, but it's a great community service!
Frequently Asked Questions
My street doesn't get plowed until later in the day, but the next street over gets plowed early every time it snows. Why?
It could be that the next street over is a priority route. All streets are in a specific order of priority based on their road classification, location, size, access to other routes, and several other factors. Rest assured, Municipal staff are organizing plow routes in everyone's best interest for safety.
The plow always leaves snow at the end of my driveway. Why can't this be cleared or dumped somewhere else?
Unfortunately, equipment operators cannot control the amount of snow that leaves the end of the plow. One way to reduce the amount of snow left at the end of your driveway is to pile snow to the right of your driveway (from in your driveway looking at the street).