Snow and ice clearing is set by each community under MGL c.85 §5, which lets cities by ordinance and towns by bylaw require abutting owners to clear sidewalks. State law caps the penalty at $50 in a city and $10 in a town per violation.
Massachusetts counties cannot impose snow duties; the authority runs to cities and towns under MGL c.85 §5. That statute lets Northampton and Easthampton by ordinance, and Amherst, Belchertown, South Hadley, and Ware by bylaw, require the owner or occupant of land abutting a sidewalk to remove snow and ice, and to set the time and manner. Northampton requires clearing within a set number of hours after a storm ends, and Amherst's bylaw imposes a similar sidewalk duty. The same section caps fines at fifty dollars per violation in a city and ten dollars in a town. Check your community's ordinance or bylaw for the exact deadline.
Failing to clear an abutting sidewalk where the local rule requires it brings a fine capped by statute at $50 per violation in a city like Northampton and $10 per violation in a town, assessed for each day or storm.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Hampshire County's snow & sidewalk clearing rules stack up against other locations.
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