Boston requires snow removal from sidewalks within 3 hours of snowfall end (or by 10 AM if overnight). Boston Municipal Code §16-12.16 imposes $50-$200 fines. Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop have similar 24-hour rules.
Boston has one of the strictest snow-removal ordinances in Massachusetts. Boston Municipal Code §16-12.16 requires property owners (and, in landlord-tenant context, occupants) to clear snow from sidewalks within 3 hours of the end of snowfall, or by 10 AM if snow stops overnight. Minimum clear path 42 inches wide. Ice that cannot be removed must be treated with sand, salt, or other de-icer. Corner properties must clear curb ramps, crosswalk approaches, and fire hydrants within 5 feet. Multi-unit landlords are responsible unless lease assigns to tenants (Boston Housing Code Chapter II). Boston issues warnings at first offense but moves quickly to $50 fines for homes, $100-$200 for businesses; penalty per day until cleared. Boston Public Works handles street plowing, NOT sidewalks. Unshoveled sidewalks create slip-and-fall liability — MA Supreme Judicial Court's Papadopoulos v. Target (2010) eliminated the natural-accumulation rule, meaning property owners are now liable for natural ice/snow accumulations on walkways. Chelsea (10 hours), Revere (12 hours), and Winthrop (24 hours) each have separate deadlines. Elderly/disabled residents may qualify for Boston Snow Team volunteer assistance.
Boston first offense: $50 warning then fine. Residential: $50 per day until cleared. Commercial: $200 per day. Corner lot curb-ramp violations: additional $200. Slip-and-fall injury on uncleared walk: civil liability up to six-figure judgments after Papadopoulos v. Target.
Chelsea, MA
Construction noise regulated under Chelsea Code Ch. 16 and MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10. Standard hours are Mon–Fri 7 AM–6 PM, Sat 8 AM–5 PM; no construction on Sund...
Chelsea, MA
Barking dogs addressed under Chelsea Code Ch. 4 (Animals) and general nuisance provisions. Excessive barking is a civil nuisance complaint under MGL c. 140. ...
Chelsea, MA
Chelsea enforces noise complaints through Chapter 16 (Miscellaneous Offenses). No single statewide decibel limit applies; the city relies on MassDEP 310 CMR ...
Chelsea, MA
Chelsea is in the flight path of Boston Logan International Airport (about 1 mile west). Aircraft noise is governed by federal FAA regulations and Massport; ...
Chelsea, MA
Chelsea has a citywide residential parking sticker program under Code §13-4.2. The Chelsea Waterfront District requires sticker parking 8 AM–6 PM Mon–Fri. St...
Chelsea, MA
Abandoned vehicles on public ways subject to state law MGL c. 90 §22C (72-hour threshold). Chelsea enforces through its ISD and Police Department. Inoperable...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Suffolk County.
See how Chelsea's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.