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

Under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 85 section 5 and the Somerville Municipal Code, owners and occupants abutting public sidewalks must remove snow within 6 hours after daytime snowfall ends or by 10 am if snow falls overnight. Ice must be treated with sand, salt, or other ice melt to make the sidewalk safe. The clearing must be full width or at least 36 inches for accessibility. Corner properties must also clear curb cuts and ramps to the street. Somerville actively enforces with DPW and Inspectional Services inspectors; tickets start at $50 per day for residential and higher for commercial and escalate. After ticketing, the city can send crews to clear and bill the property. Property owners are liable for slip-and-fall injuries caused by negligent maintenance under Papadopoulos v. Target Corp.