Grading over 50 cubic yards or that changes drainage patterns requires DPW review in Somerville. Roof and yard drainage may not discharge to neighbors.
Somerville requires a grading plan as part of the building permit for any project that moves more than 50 cubic yards of earth or alters drainage patterns on a lot. DPW Engineering reviews the plan to confirm that post-construction runoff does not worsen flooding on adjacent properties or the public way. Roof leaders, sump discharge, and area drains must connect to the storm drain, a subsurface infiltration system, or flow onto the owner's landscape, never directly onto a neighbor's property or sidewalk (Mass common law and the City's nuisance ordinance both prohibit this). Retaining walls over 4 feet require a structural permit. Basement sumps cannot discharge to the sanitary sewer, which is a federal Clean Water Act violation. Historic district grading near foundations needs HPC review.
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.
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