Somerville requires single-stream recycling weekly alongside trash. Massachusetts bans cardboard, paper, metal, glass, and certain plastics from trash. Contaminated recycling bins may be rejected.
Somerville collects single-stream recycling weekly from single-family and small multifamily properties. Accepted materials include clean paper, cardboard, rigid plastics numbered 1 through 5 and 7, metal cans, and glass bottles. Plastic bags, film plastics, food waste, textiles, and tanglers like hoses are prohibited and cause equipment jams at the Casella MRF serving Somerville. Massachusetts DEP waste bans under 310 CMR 19.017 prohibit disposal of these recyclables in trash. Contaminated blue carts receive warning tags and repeat contamination triggers skip service. Textiles and food scraps can be separated through the city curbside compost program which is free for residents who opt in. Businesses with four or more units generate large amounts of cardboard must arrange separate recycling service.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Somerville, MA
Somerville restricts amplified music through its noise ordinance and entertainment licensing, with plainly-audible standards at property lines and stricter c...
Somerville, MA
Somerville limits construction noise to daytime and early-evening weekday hours with shorter Saturday windows and a full Sunday and holiday prohibition, refl...
Somerville, MA
Overnight street parking in Somerville requires a resident permit citywide. Snow emergencies trigger odd-even or posted-side bans.
Somerville, MA
Commercial vehicles over 2.5 tons cannot park overnight on Somerville residential streets. Loading zones are time-limited and signed by block.
Somerville, MA
Most Somerville streets are resident-permit zones. Non-residents are limited to 2 hours on posted blocks from 8 AM to 8 PM daily including weekends.
Somerville, MA
Somerville requires a building permit for most fence installations, with historic districts adding a Historic Preservation Commission review step for visible...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle recycling requirements.
See how Somerville's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.