Construction sites in Somerville must install silt fence, stabilized entrances, and inlet protection before earthwork. Violations are $300 per day.
Somerville's Stormwater Ordinance and DPW site-plan review require every construction project that disturbs soil to implement erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs) consistent with the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook. Before any earthwork begins, contractors must install perimeter silt fence or compost socks, a stabilized construction entrance at each access point, and inlet protection on every catch basin within and adjacent to the site. Stockpiles must be tarped or seeded within 14 days, and disturbed areas that will be inactive for more than 14 days need temporary stabilization with mulch, erosion control blanket, or hydroseed. The Conservation Commission has jurisdiction within 100 feet of the Mystic River and its wetlands. Violations are enforced by DPW and ISD with fines typically $300 per day plus cleanup costs.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Somerville, MA
Somerville restricts amplified music through its noise ordinance and entertainment licensing, with plainly-audible standards at property lines and stricter c...
Somerville, MA
Somerville limits construction noise to daytime and early-evening weekday hours with shorter Saturday windows and a full Sunday and holiday prohibition, refl...
Somerville, MA
Overnight street parking in Somerville requires a resident permit citywide. Snow emergencies trigger odd-even or posted-side bans.
Somerville, MA
Commercial vehicles over 2.5 tons cannot park overnight on Somerville residential streets. Loading zones are time-limited and signed by block.
Somerville, MA
Most Somerville streets are resident-permit zones. Non-residents are limited to 2 hours on posted blocks from 8 AM to 8 PM daily including weekends.
Somerville, MA
Somerville requires a building permit for most fence installations, with historic districts adding a Historic Preservation Commission review step for visible...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle erosion control.
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