Motorized Snow Vehicles By-law 2016-230

Motorized Snow Vehicles By-law 2016-230 regulates the operation of snowmobiles in the City of Greater Sudbury. The by-law separates snowmobiles from pedestrian activities by promoting access to the Sudbury Trail Plan via a network of secondary roads approved for snowmobile travel. At the same time, the by-law prohibits snowmobiles from travelling on sidewalks and all other municipal trails and properties that are not part of the Sudbury Trail Plan, except to cross.

By-law 2016-230 to Regulate and Govern the Use of Motorized Snow Vehicles in the City of Greater Sudbury is applicable citywide and replaces previous local by-laws regulating snowmobiles on municipal properties.

By-law 2016-230 does not authorize nor prohibit motorized snow vehicles on land that is not owned by the City of Greater Sudbury.

Effective December 13, 2016:

  • Snowmobiles are permitted under municipal by-law to share rural and residential roads with vehicles, provided the road is listed as approved for motorized snow vehicle access under Schedule A of By-law 2016-230 and the operator obeys the by-law and provincial legislation
  • Snowmobiles are limited to a maximum speed of 20 km per hour on roads where the speed limit is 50 km/h or less and 50 km per hour on roads where the speed limit is over 50 km/h, under the Ontario Motorized Snow Vehicles Act
  • Snowmobiles are not permitted to operate between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. in the City of Greater Sudbury, unless travelling to a specific destination or for emergency purposes
  • Snowmobiles are not permitted on any municipal sidewalk, defined as a strip of land, paved or otherwise designed for pedestrian travel, in, on or alongside a roadway, except to cross at right angles
  • Snowmobiles are not permitted on the shoulder of any municipal road, including roads listed as approved for motorized snow vehicle access under a schedule to By-law 2016-230, except to cross at right angles
  • Snowmobiles are not permitted on the boulevard of any municipal road, defined as the land between the roadway and the property lines of abutting lots, unless the boulevard is maintained as a snowmobile trail by the Sudbury Trail Plan Association and the operator holds a permit issued by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs
  • Snowmobiles are not permitted on land owned by the City of Greater Sudbury, including parks, hiking trails and pedestrian bridges, unless the land is maintained as a snowmobile trail by the Sudbury Trail Plan Association and the operator holds a permit issued by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs
  • Travel by snowmobile on any other municipal road not listed under Schedule A of By-law 2016-230 is prohibited in the City of Greater Sudbury, except to cross at right angles

By-law 2016-230 was prepared by the City of Greater Sudbury in consultation with community stakeholders, including the Sudbury Trail Plan Association and Greater Sudbury Police Service. Stakeholders endorse the principles of responsible snow vehicle operation:

  • Always purchase trail permits
  • Do not trespass on private property
  • Participate only in sanctioned insured events
  • Obey the Ontario Motorized Snow Vehicles Act and all other applicable legislation
  • Respect the safety of other people and the physical environment

A complete list of roads approved for travel by Motorized Snow Vehicles under Schedule A of By-law 2016-230 is available here.

A citywide map illustrating roads approved for use by Motorized Snow Vehicles is available here.

Community maps illustrating roads approved for use by Motorized Snow Vehicles are available here. Please note: Maps are intended for navigational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an official addendum to By-law 2016-230.

Frequently Asked Questions about By-law 2016-230 are available here.

Learn more about the Ontario Motorized Snow Vehicles Act.

Learn more about the Sudbury Trail Plan Association.