Overnight on-street parking restrictions now in effect
The City’s Overnight Parking By-law is now in effect until March 31, 2026. On-street parking is
not permitted from 3-6 a.m. within the Downtown Business Improvement Area and from 12:01 – 7 a.m. on all other City streets.
These restrictions allow snow-clearing crews to keep streets safe and ensure that emergency vehicles have access throughout the city.
For more information, visit the barrie.ca/OvernightParking.
Winter reminders for setting out your carts 
Winter’s here – and with it comes snow! But remember, your organics and garbage carts still need a clear space to be collected. Please note the following dos & don’ts for setting out your carts in the winter:
- When shovelling, clear a flat spot beside or at the end of your driveway to place your
carts. - Place carts out of the path for snow removal equipment.
- In the winter, it’s recommended to place your materials on the right side of your
driveway or boulevard (when facing the street) so they’re easier for collectors to see. - Ensure lids are closed as items are susceptible to being frozen to your cart or being
blown away. - Do not place your carts on, behind, or within 2 ft (0.6 m) of a snowbank. Your carts will
not be collected if they cannot be accessed by the truck’s automated collection arms.
For more information and winter tips, visit barrie.ca/WinterCurbsideCollection.
Two-hour free on-street downtown parking in December 
Support local downtown businesses this holiday season and take advantage of FREE 2-hour
on-street parking downtown throughout December! The City offers this annual initiative to
encourage residents and visitors to explore the vibrant shops, restaurants, and services in our community.
For more information about paid parking areas, visit barrie.ca/parking.
Winter road & sidewalk maintenance 
Winter weather can be unpredictable, but the City of Barrie keeps our roads safe and clear. Our snow plowing system uses both City-owned trucks and contracted units to tackle snow
efficiently across three route types: priority, secondary, and residential. How it works:
- Priority and secondary routes: These are our busiest roads with the most traffic.
They’re cleared first and maintained around the clock when needed. - Residential streets: All neighbourhood streets are plowed regularly, but less often than
major routes. - Priority sidewalks: Crews are deployed when snowfall reaches about 5 cm.
- Secondary sidewalks: Crews are deployed when snowfall reaches about 8 cm.
When plows clear the streets, snow may pile up at the end of driveways (this snow that
accumulates at the bottom of your driveway is called a “windrow”). The City does not remove these windrows. Residents are responsible for clearing them, and hiring a private contractor may be a good option if you’d like extra help. Some GTA communities provide windrow service, but Barrie gets much more snow—about 286 cm each year—and more days require plowing. Cities with similar snowfall, like North Bay, Thunder Bay, and Sault Ste. Marie, also do not offer this service.
For more information on winter maintenance, visit barrie.ca/snow.
Join Barrie’s 2026 New Year’s Eve Celebration 
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in downtown Barrie with an evening of free family-friendly fun at
Meridian Place from 5 to 9 p.m.! The new location provides an opportunity to showcase Barrie’s beautiful waterfront, our vibrant downtown core, as well as Meridian Place.
- Festivities include:
- Live music on the Meridian Place stage
- Busker Performances
- Inflatables
- Interactive Games
- Face Painting
- Button Making
- Bonfire warming zone
- Food Trucks ($)
- Fireworks Finale at 9 p.m. (from Heritage Park)
For more information and announcements to come, visit barrie.ca/nye.
Winter recreation program registration opens December 9 
Don’t miss your chance to sign up for registered recreation programs! Browse the offerings at play.barrie.ca starting December 2, and save them to your “Wish List” for quick easy access when registration opens on Tuesday, December 9.
Fee assistance is available through recACCESS for eligible residents. Visit barrie.ca/RecAccess to learn more.
Carbon monoxide alarm requirements effective Jan. 1, 2026 
Starting January 1, 2026, changes to the Ontario Fire Code will require additional carbon monoxide alarms in houses and multi-unit residences with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages. These updates are being made across the province to improve household safety and prevent incidents caused by carbon monoxide exposure.
Barrie Fire encourages you to install the required alarms as soon as possible. In an owner-occupied residence, this is the homeowner’s responsibility. In a rental, this is the landlord’s responsibility.
For more information, visit barrie.ca/CarbonMonoxideAlarms.
Check your mail for the 2026 Waste Collection Calendar 
Delivery of the City’s 2026 Waste Collection Calendar to Barrie households is underway. The
Waste Collection Calendar contains information about residential municipal waste collection
including maps, schedules, and waste collection tips.
If you live at a multi-residential address, you will not receive the calendar in the mail. Copies will be available for pickup at City facilities by late December.
To see a digital version of the 2026 Waste Collection Calendar and a list of pickup locations,
visit barrie.ca/calendar.
Presented by The City of Barrie
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of The City of Barrie and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of iPolitics.
