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

Snow clearing of public sidewalks in Worcester County is municipally regulated because county government was abolished in 1998. The City of Worcester Revised Ordinances Chapter 13 §32 requires abutting property owners and occupants to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks within 10 hours of daylight after snow stops falling (effectively same-day for morning storms, next-day for overnight storms). A minimum 36-inch wide cleared path is required. Ice that cannot be removed must be treated with sand or approved de-icer (chloride-based deicers are regulated for water quality). Corner properties must also clear curb ramps for ADA accessibility. Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner, Shrewsbury, Westborough, and other Worcester County cities/towns have similar 24-48 hour clearance rules. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's 2010 Papadopoulos v. Target Corp. decision established that property owners have a general duty of reasonable care for snow/ice — abolishing the old 'natural accumulation' defense — so failure to clear creates significant slip-and-fall liability. Massachusetts has no statewide sidewalk snow statute — it's all local. The Worcester Department of Public Works clears major streets and bus stops but NOT residential sidewalks.