Avoid a ticket and make it easier for your neighbors to get around: Property owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from their sidewalks. Sidewalks need to be cleared to a minimum of 42 inches to allow wheelchairs to pass.
Sand (which you can find in barrels around the city) is a more environmentally friendly remedy for slippery ice. There are also many eco- and pet-friendly salt products available.

Property Owners’ Responsibilities for Clearing Sidewalks 

What to clear: Owners of any home and/or building abutting a public way are responsible for ensuring that the sidewalk and accessible ramps in front of their property, and extending to the corner if on a corner lot, are clear of ice and snow, in accordance with Section 12-8 of the City Code of Ordinances. For properties abutting sidewalks with curb cuts, ramps, or other access points, property owners are responsible for shoveling proper pathways for access.

How to clear sidewalks: Per state ADA requirements and City ordinance, sidewalks must be shoveled to a minimum of 42 inches wide to allow wheelchair passage.

When to clear sidewalks: The time frame in which residents/property owners have to shovel before getting a ticket has changed. The new policy is:

If snow stops falling after sunrise (during daylight hours), property owners will have until 10 p.m. to shovel.

If snow stops falling after sunset (overnight), property owners must shovel by 10 a.m.

**Enforcement/Ticketing: Failure to comply with this ordinance will result in fines in accordance with Section 1-11, as noted below:

1st offense: $50.00

2nd offense: $100.00

3rd offense: $200.00

**Enforcement/Clean and Lien: If sidewalks abutting private property remain uncleared after 24 daylight hours from the end of the snow emergency (or snowfall if no emergency was declared), the City will make every effort to dispatch crews or contractors to the address for snow and ice removal. This work shall be carried out in accordance with the priorities listed under “Plowing Procedures.” In order for the City to recover its costs for the clearance of such snow and ice from public sidewalks abutting private properties, additional fines will be assessed and charged via a lien placed on the property in question.

Reporting uncleared sidewalks: City Inspectors regularly patrol the city following each snow event, tracking properties that do not comply with City Ordinances for snow and ice removal. These properties are documented within City databases, and violations are issued. Clean-and-lien activities will also ensue according to the procedures noted above. Tip: However, if you notice any sidewalk, public access route, ramp, etc. that has not been cleared of snow and ice up to the minimum width of 42 inches, please contact 311 by calling 3-1-1, emailing 311Updates@somervillema.gov, or reporting issues via Facebook (www.facebook.com/311Somerville) or Twitter (@311Somerville, @SomervilleCity). The City of Somerville maintains work orders and requests for these issues to help to track problem areas.
 

Do not shovel snow or ice onto the street, unless…

Per Section 12-9 of the City Code of Ordinances, Residents/property owners may not shovel snow or ice into public streets unless all of the following conditions are met:

The mean temperature for that day is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (snow should be soft),

It is during daylight hours,

Snow or ice is broken up and spread evenly.
** See shoveling information for additional information, helpful tips, and to volunteer for, or sign up for, our shoveling assistance program, which helps seniors and persons with disabilities.