Following Papadopoulos v. Target (2010), Massachusetts property owners owe a duty of reasonable care to remove snow and ice. Municipalities may set sidewalk clearing rules.
The 2010 Supreme Judicial Court decision in Papadopoulos v. Target Corporation eliminated the natural accumulation rule, holding all property owners to a reasonable care standard for snow and ice. M.G.L. Chapter 84 governs municipal liability for public ways. Cities and towns may enact ordinances requiring abutters to clear sidewalks within set hours after storms. Failure to clear creates premises liability for slip-and-fall injuries.
Municipal fines vary $50-$300 per offense; civil liability for slip-and-fall injuries; potential lien on property for repeat violations.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bourne, MA
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