Watertown Residential Snow Plowing Services

Watertown Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Massachusetts law establishes a comprehensive framework for residential snow removal obligations, directly impacting homeowners, landlords, and tenants in Watertown, MA. The 105 CMR 410.260 regulation outlines these responsibilities by property type and occupancy, serving as the basis for local enforcement. In Watertown, municipal ordinances intersect with state law by requiring property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their premises within 6 hours after snowfall ends during the daytime or by noon if the snowfall ends overnight, as specified in the Watertown Code of Ordinances § 104-11. Beyond sidewalk clearing, homeowners must ensure safe access to building entrances, garages, parking areas, and maintain unobstructed paths for emergency services and daily use throughout the winter months.

• 105 CMR 410.260: Mandates removal of snow and ice from all means of egress, including common and private walkways, for timely and safe passage.
• Municipal Ordinance: Requires public sidewalk clearance within 6 hours and prohibits snow accumulation that impedes public safety or accessibility.
• Additional Duties: Extend to driveways, stairs, parking facilities, and any exterior path necessary for safe occupancy and use.

Watertown Inspectional Services Department
149 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (617) 972-6480
Official Website: Watertown Inspectional Services Department

Watertown Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

Failure to comply with Watertown’s snow removal ordinance (§ 104-11) results in fines and penalties proportional to property type and severity of violation. For residential properties, the fine structure is as follows:

• Single-family and small multi-family (≤16 units): $50 per violation, per day.
• Large multi-family buildings (17+ units): $100 per violation, per day.
• Depositing snow onto public streets: $100–$300 additional penalty depending on amount and obstruction caused.

Each day a violation persists is considered a separate offense, resulting in cumulative fines until compliance is achieved. Enforcement is carried out through both proactive inspections and complaint-driven citations. Residents may report violations using the Watertown 311 request tracker system, triggering field investigations by Inspectional Services. Inspectors document conditions, issue citations, and provide notice to property owners. Importantly, even when a lease agreement assigns snow removal duties to tenants, property owners remain legally liable for any violations. The City issues citations to the owner of record, who must then seek reimbursement from non-compliant tenants through private legal action.

MA Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.260 establishes that landlords are primarily responsible for snow and ice removal, particularly for ensuring all means of egress are free from obstructions. These obligations are non-negotiable and cannot be transferred in most lease agreements, especially for multi-family properties or shared areas.

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

• Landlord Responsibilities – Multi-Family Properties:
  • Clear all common entrances, stairways, parking lots, and walkways.
  • Maintain exterior shared stairs and curb ramps as required by Watertown ordinance.
  • Ensure all means of egress and access to public ways are unobstructed.
• Landlord Responsibilities – Single-Family Rental Homes:
  • May delegate snow removal to tenants for private driveways and stairs if specified in a written lease.
  • Retain legal liability even when duties are assigned to tenants.
• Tenant Responsibilities:
  • Only applicable for single-family rentals with exclusive-use driveways and entrances and an explicit written lease assignment.
  • May be required to clear personal-use areas such as patios, decks, or private parking spaces.
• Important: Landlords cannot transfer responsibility for shared or common areas through lease provisions. Such clauses are void under Massachusetts law.

Watertown Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied residential properties in Watertown must provide comprehensive winter maintenance that extends from public sidewalks to private driveways and all pedestrian access routes. Homeowners are fully liable for slip-and-fall incidents or injuries resulting from inadequate snow or ice removal on their property.

• Clear all driveways and walkways from the public sidewalk to each building entrance.
• Remove snow from outdoor stairs, stoops, porches, and decks to prevent hazardous conditions.
• Ensure garbage collection points, utility meters, and emergency egresses are unobstructed and accessible.
• Treat ice accumulations using sand, salt, or other traction-improving materials.
• Coordinate shoveling and clearing with municipal plowing schedules to maintain access after city plows pass.

Watertown Code Enforcement Contact:
Phone: (617) 972-6480
Report online: Watertown 311 System

Watertown Public Works maintains approximately 130 lane miles of streets, resulting in plow operations that may deposit additional snow across previously cleared driveway entrances. Homeowners are responsible for clearing these secondary accumulations to restore access. Best practices for driveway clearing include:

• Monitor municipal plowing progress via the Watertown city website or local alerts.
• Delay final driveway clearing until plows have completed neighborhood routes.
• Maintain a 10–12 foot wide driveway path to ensure safe vehicle access at all times.
• Designate snow storage areas away from curb lines and public sidewalks.
• Never deposit snow onto public streets; doing so is a violation subject to fines.

Residential Properties Throughout Watertown Neighborhoods

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

East Watertown: Characterized by a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and small multi-family buildings, this area often features narrow streets and limited off-street parking. Snow removal is complicated by closely spaced driveways and minimal setback from the roadway, requiring careful coordination and attention to walkway clearance.

Watertown Square: The dense, urban environment of Watertown Square includes triple-deckers, row houses, and mixed-use properties. Clearing snow from shared entrances, stairways, and sidewalks is essential for pedestrian safety, with particular attention needed for high foot traffic zones and commercial-residential interfaces.

West End: Suburban-style single-family homes with larger driveways and wider yards dominate this district. The primary challenge is managing significant snow accumulation on long driveways and ensuring mailbox, utility, and fire hydrant access while accommodating municipal plowing routes.

Coolidge Square: This neighborhood includes a blend of older multi-family houses and small apartment complexes with shared parking lots. Snow storage becomes a significant issue due to limited lot sizes, and maintaining clear access to communal walkways and entries is a frequent concern.

Mount Auburn District: Historic homes, some with unique architectural preservation requirements, are common here. Narrow access drives, ornamental fencing, and mature landscaping require careful snow removal to avoid property damage, while also ensuring compliance with accessibility standards.

Arsenal District: Recent redevelopment has introduced modern townhomes and condominium complexes with private roads and managed common spaces. Snow removal in these areas often involves coordination with homeowners’ associations and attention to shared amenity areas, curb ramps, and visitor parking zones.

Bemis Area: This residential section features compact lots, triple-deckers, and older homes. Tight alleys and limited snow storage space present unique logistical challenges, necessitating prompt and thorough clearing to avoid hazardous accumulations and maintain legal compliance.

Charles River Road Corridors: Properties along the river include both historic and contemporary single- and multi-family residences. Steep driveways and proximity to parkland require strategic snow placement and frequent monitoring to prevent runoff and maintain access to recreational paths and emergency routes.