Weymouth Residential Snow Plowing Services

Weymouth Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Massachusetts law establishes a comprehensive framework for residential snow removal responsibilities, ensuring property owners, landlords, and tenants maintain safe and accessible premises during winter. 105 CMR 410.260 defines specific obligations for property owners, landlords, and tenants, which are further enforced by municipal ordinances in Weymouth. In Weymouth, property owners are required to clear sidewalks abutting their property within 12 hours after snow has ceased falling, as specified by local ordinance. Beyond sidewalks, homeowners must also maintain safe access to home entrances, garages, and parking areas to prevent hazardous conditions throughout the winter months.

For further information or to clarify compliance questions, contact:

Weymouth Inspectional Services Department
75 Middle Street, Weymouth, MA 02189
Phone: (781) 340-5008
Official Website: Weymouth Inspectional Services Department

Weymouth Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

Weymouth enforces residential snow removal via Municipal Ordinance §8-14, which outlines violations and penalties for failure to clear sidewalks and improper snow disposal. The fine structure for residential properties is as follows:

• Single-family and small multi-family residences (16 units or fewer): $50 per violation
• Large multi-family buildings (17 or more units): $100 per violation
• Depositing snow on public streets: $100 to $200 per incident, depending on volume and obstruction caused

Each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation and may result in additional fines until the issue is resolved. Enforcement is carried out through both proactive inspections and complaint-driven citations. Residents can report violations through the Weymouth 311 system at Weymouth 311, after which Inspectional Services conducts field investigations, documents conditions, and issues citations as needed. Importantly, property owners remain liable for sidewalk clearing violations, even if lease agreements assign responsibilities to tenants. The city issues citations to owners of record, who must then seek reimbursement from tenants through separate legal channels.

MA Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

Under Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.260, landlords are legally required to keep all means of egress free from snow and ice, and these responsibilities generally cannot be transferred to tenants via lease provisions. The code ensures tenants have unobstructed, safe exits at all times during the winter.

Contact for legal guidance:

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 responsible for clearing common entrances, stairways, parking lots, walkways, exterior shared stairs, and curb ramps as required by Weymouth ordinance.
• Single-Family Rental Homes: Tenants may be assigned snow removal duties for private driveways and stairs only if expressly stated in a written lease, but landlords retain ultimate liability.
• Tenant Responsibilities: Tenants may only be held responsible for snow removal when:
  • They occupy a single-family home with exclusive-use driveways and entrances
  • The lease explicitly assigns responsibility for those areas
  • The areas serve only the tenant’s unit, not shared with other tenants
  • The locations are personal-use spaces such as patios, decks, or private parking
• Important: Responsibilities for shared/common areas cannot be transferred to tenants. Any such lease provisions are void under Massachusetts law.

Weymouth Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied residential properties in Weymouth must ensure comprehensive winter maintenance, covering public sidewalks, private driveways, and all pedestrian access routes. Homeowners bear full liability for any slip-and-fall incidents resulting from inadequate snow and ice removal.

• Clear driveways and walkways: Ensure unobstructed paths from the sidewalk to each building entrance.
• Remove snow from outdoor stairs, stoops, porches, and decks.
• Clear access to garbage collection points, utility meters, and emergency egresses.
• Treat ice with sand, salt, or other traction materials.
• Coordinate snow removal with municipal plowing schedules to prevent re-accumulation.

For code enforcement or to report unshoveled sidewalks:

Weymouth Code Enforcement Contact
Phone: (781) 682-3635
Report online: Weymouth 311 System

Weymouth Public Works (DPW) plows more than 280 lane miles of roadway, which can result in snow being deposited back across cleared driveway entrances. Residents should anticipate this possibility and plan for secondary clearing. For best results:

• Monitor DPW plowing progress via the Weymouth Public Works website or app.
• Delay final driveway clearing until plows have finished neighborhood routes.
• Maintain a driveway width of 10-12 feet for safe vehicle access.
• Store snow away from street edges and public sidewalks.
• Never deposit snow onto public streets or sidewalks, as this is a violation subject to fines.

Residential Properties Throughout Weymouth Neighborhoods

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

Weymouth Landing: Known for its historic single-family homes and triple-decker residences, this area presents challenges including narrow streets, limited snow storage, and shared driveways requiring coordinated clearing.

South Weymouth: This suburban district features larger lots and newer single-family homes, often with expansive driveways and multiple vehicle parking areas. Homeowners must manage significant snow volumes and ensure wide, accessible driveways.

East Weymouth: With a mix of row houses, multi-family buildings, and older homes, East Weymouth faces unique physical constraints such as steep slopes, tight access paths, and on-street parking limitations.

North Weymouth: This waterfront neighborhood includes many historic properties and compact lots, where snow storage is limited and preservation requirements may restrict the use of certain snow-removal equipment.

Colonial Park: Primarily composed of mid-century single-family residences, Colonial Park's cul-de-sacs and curved streets necessitate vigilant coordination with plowing schedules and careful planning for snow placement.

Wessagusset: A coastal district with a mix of cottages and modern homes, Wessagusset properties often contend with high winds, drifting snow, and narrow private access roads, requiring frequent monitoring and responsive plowing service.

Jackson Square: Characterized by multi-unit complexes and apartment buildings, Jackson Square has extensive shared parking and walkways, necessitating collaborative snow removal efforts and strict adherence to city regulations for common areas.

Central Weymouth: This area’s mix of residential property types—including duplexes, triple-deckers, and small multi-family homes—means that snow removal strategies must be tailored to address both shared and private spaces, as well as ensure pedestrian safety on busy thoroughfares.