Boston, MA Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

16 splits the duty into four scenarios: snow/slush on sidewalks (A), ice on sidewalks (B), snow/slush on curb ramps (C), and ice on curb ramps (D). The three-hour clock starts when snowfall ends and only runs between sunrise and sunset, so overnight accumulation does not trigger a violation until daylight resumes. Owners, managers, or leaseholders who are expressly obligated to shovel under a written lease must clear the full paved width of the sidewalk or curb ramp and leave a path at least 42 inches wide so pedestrians, including wheelchair users navigating a curb ramp, can pass safely.

For ice, division (B) allows an alternative to full removal: covering the ice completely, level, with sand, sawdust, or similar material satisfies the ordinance even if the ice itself stays in place. Division (E) separately bars dumping snow, slush, or ice removed from private property onto any sidewalk, curb ramp, or street, pushing your own driveway snow into the public way is its own violation. Every subsection treats each day the condition persists as a new, separate violation, so fines can compound quickly during a multi-day cold snap.

The Section traces back to a 1975 ordinance and was substantially rewritten by Ord. 2007 c. 7 and Ord. 2011 c. 13 to add the curb-ramp requirements and the tiered fine schedule now in force.