Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Somerville, MA (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Structural repair of Somerville's public sidewalks is a city job, not an abutting owner's. The code places direction and control of sidewalk construction, alteration, repair and maintenance squarely with the commissioner of public works, distinct from the owner's separate snow-clearing and litter duties.
Somerville Sidewalk Repair Responsibility
Few RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances § 11-1
The commissioner of public works shall have the direction and control of the construction, alteration, repair, maintenance and management of ways, streets, sidewalks and bridges; he or she shall have the powers and discharge the duties of surveyors of highways; the construction, alteration, repair and care of main drains and common sewers... (Code 1963, § 8-1)
Obstruction Rules
Somerville bars leaving fuel, dirt, ashes or other material on a sidewalk overnight, or obstructing a sidewalk or street crossing in any other way, unless the commissioner of public works has issued a permit. The rule targets everyday clutter and material storage on the public way, separate from the city's overnight-obstacle and outdoor-seating rules.
Somerville Sidewalk Obstruction Rules
Some RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances § 12-12
Sec. 12-12. Temporary obstructions on streets and sidewalks. No person shall suffer his or her fuel, dirt, ashes, or other rubbish, or any other material to remain on any sidewalk or any street during any part of the nighttime, or in any other manner obstruct any sidewalk or street crossing, without a permit from the commissioner of public works. (Code 1963, § 12-26)
Encroachment Permits
Leaving a vehicle, obstacle or article on a Somerville sidewalk or roadway at any time requires a commissioner of public works permit, with the obstruction lit and guarded to the commissioner's satisfaction. The commissioner can also demand a bond of at least $1,000 to cover any liability from the encroachment.
Somerville Sidewalk Encroachment Permits
Some RestrictionsSomerville, MA Code of Ordinances § 12-18
Sec. 12-18. Obstacles in streets or sidewalks at night. (a) No person shall leave any vehicle or any other obstacle or article on any sidewalk or in any public or private way, or place any obstruction in any street at any time, without first obtaining a permit from the commissioner of public works and causing such obstacle, article or obstruction to be lighted and guarded to his or her satisfac...