Cambridge Residential Snow Plowing Services

Cambridge Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Massachusetts law establishes a clear framework for residential snow removal responsibilities, ensuring public safety and accessibility during winter. 105 CMR 410.260 outlines specific obligations for property owners, landlords, and tenants based on the type of property and occupancy arrangement. In Cambridge, these state requirements are supplemented by municipal ordinances, which mandate that property owners must remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 6 hours after snowfall ends during the daytime, or by 1:00 PM if snowfall ends overnight. This local ordinance intersects with state law to require not only sidewalk clearing but also maintaining safe passage to residences, garages, parking areas, and all means of egress for emergency access throughout the winter season. Property owners are expected to prevent hazardous conditions from developing on all pedestrian routes associated with their property.

• Sidewalk Clearing: Must be completed within 6 hours of the end of snowfall, or by 1:00 PM after an overnight event.
• Access Routes: All entrances, exits, stairways, and walkways must remain accessible and free of snow and ice.
• Parking and Garages: Safe access to on-site parking areas and garages must be maintained at all times.

Cambridge Inspectional Services Department
831 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (617) 349-6100
Official Website: Cambridge Inspectional Services Department

Cambridge Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

The City of Cambridge enforces snow removal through Section 12.16.030 of the Cambridge Municipal Code. Residential property owners who fail to comply with sidewalk snow removal requirements are subject to specific fines. The fine structure is as follows:

• Single-family and small multi-family properties (up to 16 units): $50 per violation per day
• Large multi-family buildings (17 or more units): $100 per violation per day
• Depositing snow on public streets: $50–$200 per incident, depending on the severity and volume

Each day that a violation persists constitutes a separate offense, resulting in cumulative fines. Enforcement is conducted through a combination of proactive city inspections and responses to complaints submitted via the Cambridge 311 system (https://www.cambridgema.gov/iwantto/report). Inspectional Services investigates all reported violations by dispatching field inspectors, who document conditions and issue citations when necessary. Importantly, property owners remain legally responsible for snow removal compliance, even if lease agreements delegate snow removal to tenants. Citations are issued to owners of record, who must seek recovery from non-compliant tenants through separate legal processes.

MA Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.260 establishes non-transferable landlord responsibilities for snow and ice removal in most residential arrangements. Landlords must keep all means of egress—including all exits, entrances, and fire escapes—free from snow and ice, regardless of lease provisions. This obligation is a matter of public safety and cannot be shifted to tenants in multi-family buildings or shared properties.

MA Attorney General’s Office
One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-2200
Official Website: AG Landlord-Tenant Guide

• Multi-Family Properties: Landlords are solely responsible for clearing snow and ice from all common areas, including shared stairways, parking lots, walkways, and curb ramps as required by city ordinance.
• Single-Family Rental Homes: Tenants may be assigned responsibility for snow removal from exclusive-use driveways, stairs, and entrances through a written lease, but the landlord remains ultimately liable for compliance.
• Tenant Obligations: Tenants can only be assigned snow removal duties for exclusive-use areas in single-family homes when the lease clearly specifies these responsibilities. Areas serving more than one unit or the public may not be delegated to tenants; such lease clauses are void under Massachusetts law.

Cambridge Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied residential properties in Cambridge require comprehensive winter maintenance extending from public sidewalks through private driveways and all pedestrian access routes. Homeowners bear full civil liability for slip-and-fall incidents on their premises caused by insufficient snow or ice removal. Municipal ordinances require homeowners to:

• Clear driveways and walkways: Maintain accessible paths from sidewalks to all building entrances.
• Remove snow from stairs, stoops, porches, and decks: Ensure all means of access and egress are safe.
• Clear garbage collection points and utility meters: Maintain access for city services and emergency personnel.
• Treat ice: Use sand, salt, or other traction materials as needed to reduce slip hazards.
• Coordinate with city plowing schedules: Be aware that municipal plows may deposit snow at driveway entrances, necessitating additional clearing.

Cambridge Code Enforcement Contact:
Phone: (617) 349-6100
Report online: Cambridge 311 System

Cambridge Department of Public Works maintains approximately 125 lane miles of roadway. As plows clear streets, snow may be pushed back onto already cleared driveways and walkways. Homeowners should monitor municipal plowing progress via the Cambridge DPW website or city apps. Final driveway clearing should be delayed until plows have completed their routes. Best practices include maintaining a 10–12 foot wide path for vehicle access, storing snow away from street edges, and never depositing removed snow onto public streets, which is prohibited by ordinance and subject to fines.

Residential Properties Throughout Cambridge Neighborhoods

Our residential snow plowing services extend throughout Greater Cambridge's diverse neighborhoods, addressing unique challenges created by varied property types, terrain characteristics, and infrastructure conditions.

West Cambridge: Comprised largely of single-family homes and larger lots, this area requires extensive driveway and walkway clearing. Plowing equipment must accommodate long driveways and parking pads, with special attention to keeping walkways accessible for pedestrians and service vehicles.

Mid-Cambridge: Characterized by a mix of triple-deckers and multi-family buildings, snow removal in this district often involves shared access paths, narrow side yards, and limited snow storage, requiring coordinated efforts among residents and property managers to ensure compliance.

Cambridgeport: Known for its historic row houses and compact lots, Cambridgeport presents challenges such as minimal frontage, tight driveways, and shared alleyways. Clearing snow without impeding traffic or blocking egress routes is essential in this neighborhood.

North Cambridge: Featuring a blend of single-family homes, two-family houses, and multi-unit properties, snow removal must address both private and shared spaces, with attention to corner lots and maintaining safe passage along busy thoroughfares.

East Cambridge: Densely populated with multi-family complexes, this neighborhood often experiences heavy pedestrian traffic and high demand for on-street parking, making timely sidewalk and curb clearing critical for resident safety and city compliance.

Agassiz: With a concentration of triple-deckers, historic residences, and institutional buildings, Agassiz faces challenges related to older infrastructure, narrow walkways, and preservation requirements that may limit snow storage options.

Riverside: This district is home to a mix of older row houses and newer condos, often with limited off-street parking. Maintaining clear access to entrances and shared driveways is vital, particularly given the neighborhood's proximity to commercial corridors.

Strawberry Hill: A more suburban-style section, Strawberry Hill features larger lots and detached homes. Snow removal involves managing longer driveways and wider sidewalks, as well as ensuring that residential plowing does not obstruct public walkways or nearby bus stops.