MGL c.85 s.5 lets municipalities require abutting property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks. Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, and most Middlesex County cities impose this duty.
Snow and ice removal from sidewalks is one of the most actively enforced property maintenance duties in Middlesex County due to heavy Boston metro snowfall. Under MGL c.85 s.5 and local bylaws, abutting property owners must clear sidewalks within a set time after snowfall ends. Cambridge Municipal Code 12.16.110 requires owners to clear snow within 12 daylight hours and ice within 6 hours, with a minimum 42-inch wide path. Somerville requires clearing within 6 daylight hours after the storm ends. Newton, Waltham, Medford, and Lowell require clearing within 12 hours. Corner properties must also clear curb ramps. Fines begin at 50 dollars and escalate to 100-200 dollars per day for repeat violations. Following the 2010 Papadopoulos v Target decision owners can be liable for unnatural accumulations of ice and snow on their property that cause injury.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Middlesex County, MA
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See how Middlesex County's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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