Somerville is an EPA MS4 community. Projects disturbing 1 acre need NPDES permits; local review kicks in at 500 sq ft of new impervious surface.
Somerville is regulated under the EPA MS4 General Permit for small municipal separate storm sewer systems. The City's Stormwater Ordinance and design standards, administered by DPW Engineering and the Conservation Commission, require that any project disturbing 1 acre or more obtain an EPA Construction General Permit (NPDES) and file a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Locally, smaller projects adding 500 square feet or more of new or replaced impervious area must submit a site-specific stormwater management plan demonstrating no net increase in peak runoff, typically using infiltration basins, rain gardens, or underground detention. Illicit discharges (paint, soap, concrete washout) to the storm drain are prohibited and carry fines up to $5,000 per day. The Mystic River watershed is particularly sensitive and triggers additional nutrient controls.
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 stormwater management.
See how Somerville's stormwater management rules stack up against other locations.
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