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

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.