Somerville Commercial Snow Removal Services

Somerville Commercial Snow Plowing & Parking Lot Clearing Services

Commercial properties in Somerville, MA are subject to stricter enforcement protocols for snow removal than residential buildings, reflecting the increased public safety responsibilities of business owners. The City of Somerville’s snow removal ordinance imposes fines of $200 per violation for commercial properties that fail to clear snow and ice in compliance with municipal requirements. Additionally, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that accessible features such as parking spaces, curb ramps, building entrances, and pedestrian routes must remain fully accessible throughout winter months, regardless of weather conditions. This section outlines the legal obligations, enforcement, and operational expectations for Somerville businesses regarding commercial snow plowing and parking lot clearing.

Somerville Inspectional Services Department
1 Franey Road, Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: (617) 625-6600 ext. 5600
Official Website: Somerville Inspectional Services Department

Somerville Commercial Property Snow Removal Fines and Enhanced Penalties

Somerville enforces commercial snow removal requirements through a systematic citation process, with substantially higher penalties than those issued to residential property owners. These increased fines reflect the greater public safety risk when businesses do not maintain accessible, ice-free walkways serving both customers and employees. The current commercial property fine structure is as follows:

• All commercial properties: $200 per violation for failure to clear sidewalks as required
• Each day of non-compliance: Constitutes a separate violation subject to additional $200 fines
• Depositing snow on streets: Additional penalty of $100 per incident, with higher fines possible based on volume and severity
• Repeat violations: Escalating enforcement, including potential operating restrictions and further administrative action

Common violations that trigger commercial penalties include:

• Failing to clear sidewalks within 6 daylight hours after snowfall ends
• Ice-covered accessible parking spaces and access aisles
• Blocked curb ramps preventing wheelchair access
• Obstructed building entrances and emergency egresses
• Snow piles blocking accessible routes between parking and entrances
• Depositing snow onto public streets or adjacent properties

Important: Each separate violation—such as a blocked entrance, uncleared parking lot, or icy sidewalk—constitutes an independent fine. Multi-building commercial complexes may accumulate significant penalties after a single storm event if snow removal is inadequate across multiple property frontages and access points.

Fire and Life Safety Access Requirements for Commercial Properties

The Somerville Fire Department and Massachusetts Department of Fire Services require that all commercial properties maintain emergency vehicle access during winter conditions. These compliance obligations extend beyond pedestrian safety to ensure that emergency response is not compromised by snow or ice accumulation.

Somerville Fire Department
266 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: (617) 623-1700
Official Website: Somerville Fire Department

Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
PO Box 1025, State Road, Stow, MA 01775
Phone: (978) 567-3100
Official Website: Mass Fire Services

• Fire Lane Maintenance:
  • Clear all designated fire lanes to pavement within parking lots
  • Maintain a minimum width of 20 feet for emergency vehicle passage
  • Remove snow piles that reduce fire lane clearance below minimum standards
  • Keep fire lane markings and signage visible above snow accumulation
• Fire Hydrant Access:
  • Clear a three-foot radius around all fire hydrants immediately after snowfall
  • Maintain clear sight lines so hydrants are visible from the street
  • Remove ice accumulation on hydrant caps and mechanisms
  • Mark hydrant locations with flags or markers if plowed under
• Emergency Vehicle Access Standards:
  • Maintain a minimum width of 20 feet clear for fire apparatus and ambulances
  • Vertical clearance of at least 13 feet 6 inches for ladder trucks
  • Adequate turning radius for emergency vehicle maneuvering
  • Surface conditions treated for traction and safety
  • Aerial ladder access within 15 feet of building structures

The Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) mandates that commercial properties maintain unobstructed emergency egresses at all times, including:

• All marked emergency exits cleared and operational
• Exterior fire escapes and stairs free of snow and ice
• Emergency assembly areas accessible and marked
• Panic hardware and exit doors functional (not frozen or blocked by ice)
• Exit pathway lighting operational and snow-free

Federal ADA Title III Compliance for Commercial Snow Removal

The Americans with Disabilities Act Title III imposes federal accessibility requirements on all businesses and places of public accommodation. Businesses must maintain accessible features in fully operational condition regardless of weather, independent of local snow removal ordinances. This dual compliance structure creates additional enforcement exposure and potential liability for noncompliant business owners.

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530
Phone: (800) 514-0301
Official Website: ADA Title III Information

• Accessible parking spaces: Must remain cleared to pavement with access aisles fully passable
• Curb ramps: Cannot be blocked by snow piles or ice accumulation
• Building entrances: Primary and accessible entrances must maintain barrier-free access
• Pedestrian routes: Pathways from parking to entrances must be cleared a minimum of 36 inches wide
• Loading zones: Accessible loading areas for delivery and service vehicles
• Outdoor amenities: Accessible routes to ATMs, outdoor seating, and customer service areas

Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB)
One Ashburton Place, Room 1310, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-0660
Official Website: MAAB Regulations

Massachusetts MAAB regulations (521 CMR) enforce state accessibility standards that exceed federal minimums in some cases, requiring businesses to maintain accessible features fully operational at all times, regardless of weather or other conditions.

Commercial Parking Lot Snow Management and Operational Requirements

Commercial parking facilities in Somerville require comprehensive snow management strategies extending beyond routine plowing. Obligations include designated accessible parking maintenance, traffic flow management, planned snow storage, and coordination with business hours to ensure uninterrupted access for customers and employees.

• Fire lanes and emergency access: Cleared first and maintained accessible at all times
• Accessible parking spaces: ADA-designated spaces and access aisles cleared immediately after fire lanes
• Primary traffic lanes: Main circulation routes cleared to facilitate customer and employee access
• Secondary parking areas: Cleared based on capacity needs and business operational requirements
• Loading docks: Ensure commercial delivery areas are maintained for supply chain continuity

Somerville Code Enforcement Contact
Phone: (617) 625-6600 ext. 5600
Report online: Somerville 311 System or equivalent

Business Liability Protection and Premises Insurance Requirements

Commercial property owners in Massachusetts face substantial premises liability exposure if inadequate snow removal contributes to slip-and-fall incidents involving customers, employees, delivery personnel, or other business invitees. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Papadopoulos v. Target Corp., 457 Mass. 368 (2010) establishes that property owners must exercise reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions, regardless of whether snow accumulation results from natural precipitation or mechanical processes.

• General liability insurance: Minimum $1-2 million coverage for slip-and-fall incidents
• Commercial property insurance: Coverage for building and parking lot damage from plowing equipment
• Workers’ compensation: Required for employees injured during snow removal activities
• Umbrella coverage: Additional liability protection exceeding primary policy limits

Commercial Districts Throughout Somerville Requiring Specialized Service

Our commercial snow plowing services extend throughout Somerville's diverse business districts, addressing unique operational requirements, accessibility standards, and customer access priorities specific to different commercial property types.

Davis Square: As one of Somerville’s busiest commercial hubs, Davis Square features a mix of office buildings, retail storefronts, and restaurants. High pedestrian volume, transit connections, and limited parking require coordinated snow removal to maintain continuous customer access and meet ADA requirements.

Assembly Row: This modern mixed-use district includes major retailers, office complexes, and entertainment venues. Large parking lots and structured garages demand specialized equipment for snow storage and tight coordination with business operating hours.

Union Square: A neighborhood business district with historic buildings, Union Square presents challenges in maintaining accessible sidewalks, curb ramps, and on-street parking. Attention to emergency egress and coordination with public transit is essential.

East Somerville Industrial Corridor: Home to warehouses, light manufacturing, and logistics operations, this district requires unobstructed truck access to loading docks and fire lanes, with particular focus on snow storage planning in large lots.

Porter Square Commercial Area: Featuring retail corridors and professional offices, Porter Square’s proximity to public transit and dense foot traffic necessitates frequent clearing of pedestrian routes and accessible entrances for both customers and employees.

Ball Square: This neighborhood business node contains smaller-scale retail, service businesses, and restaurants. Limited parking and narrow sidewalks require rapid snow removal to prevent access disruptions and code violations.

Medical and Institutional Campuses: Facilities such as Somerville Hospital and local clinics must maintain clear emergency vehicle access, accessible parking, and snow-free paths to comply with both ADA and state health regulations.

Broadway/Telegraph Hill Corridor: With a blend of mixed-use developments, apartment complexes, and commercial storefronts, this area demands careful attention to accessibility standards and coordination with property management teams to ensure all entrances and parking areas remain operational.