Somerville enforces blight standards requiring properties be free of trash accumulation, graffiti, overgrown vegetation, and deteriorated exteriors. The Problem Properties ordinance targets repeat offenders.
Somerville maintains blight standards through Inspectional Services under the Municipal Code and the state sanitary code. Properties must be free of accumulated trash, debris, abandoned vehicles, overgrown weeds and grass, unmaintained exterior paint and siding, broken windows, and graffiti. The Problem Properties ordinance adopted under MGL c.139 allows the city to designate chronically non-compliant properties for enhanced oversight, including required management plans, mandatory inspections, and daily fines. Vacant buildings have separate registration and securing requirements. Graffiti removal orders give owners a set number of days to abate after notice; failure to comply allows the city to abate and lien costs. Moving-day debris around September 1 is targeted with extra enforcement sweeps.
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 property blight.
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