Professional Snow Removal Services in Belmont, MA

Belmont Winter Weather & Snow Removal Resources

Snow removal is a critical legal responsibility for all property owners in Belmont, MA, governed by specific municipal ordinances and Massachusetts state law. Strict enforcement protocols require timely removal of snow and ice to ensure public safety, maintain accessibility, and prevent hazardous conditions on sidewalks and adjacent public ways. Ordinances establish clear requirements for snow clearance timeframes, minimum accessible path widths, and impose substantial penalties for non-compliance to support effective winter weather management across the community.

Belmont Department of Public Works
19 Moore Street, Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: (617) 993-2680
Official Website: Belmont Department of Public Works

Understanding Belmont's Snow Removal Ordinances and Legal Requirements

Belmont’s snow removal ordinances require all property owners, both residential and commercial, to clear abutting sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours after the end of snowfall. Overnight accumulations must be cleared by the end of the following day to ensure safe pedestrian passage. A minimum path of 36 inches in width must be maintained along sidewalks for accessibility, in accordance with local and federal accessibility standards. Property owners must remove or treat ice with sand or other suitable materials to provide safe footing. Depositing snow onto public streets or plowed roadways is strictly prohibited.

• Timeframe: Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after snowfall ends, including overnight storms.
• Minimum Width: Sidewalk path must be at least 36 inches wide and accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Ice Treatment: Ice must be removed or treated with sand or other traction material until bare pavement is practical.
• Prohibited Actions: Snow cannot be shoveled or blown into public streets or onto neighboring properties.

For full ordinance text, refer to the Belmont General Bylaws, Chapter 60 and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 85, Section 5 (Municipal snow removal authority).

Belmont Inspectional Services
19 Moore Street, Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: (617) 993-2664
Official Website: Belmont Inspectional Services

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in fines of $50 per day for residential properties and $100 per day for commercial properties. Depositing snow on public streets incurs additional fines of $100 per offense. Each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation and may result in further enforcement action.

Belmont Neighborhood Snow Management Challenges

• Winn Brook: Predominantly single-family homes with narrow sidewalks and mature trees. Limited street width and high on-street parking density complicate snow placement and sidewalk clearance.
• Belmont Hill: Hilly terrain with steep streets increases the risk of ice accumulation and runoff. Large lots and longer driveways can delay sidewalk clearing and require increased traction material usage.
• Harvard Lawn: Mix of triple-deckers, small apartment buildings, and retail. High pedestrian activity, elderly residents, and proximity to transit stops require enhanced attention to accessibility and timely snow removal.
• Waverley Square: Dense commercial district with mixed-use buildings. Narrow sidewalks and busy intersections present challenges for maintaining clear, accessible paths after heavy snow.
• Cushing Square: Active retail corridor with limited off-street parking. High turnover of vehicles and pedestrian traffic demand prompt and thorough snow clearance.

Municipal Snow Operations and Emergency Response

The Belmont Department of Public Works manages snow removal operations across more than 78 lane miles of roadways, serviced through a network of priority plow routes. Arterial and emergency access roads are cleared first to maintain safe passage for public safety vehicles and essential services. Secondary and residential streets are addressed as conditions allow and according to the established plowing schedule.

Belmont Office of Emergency Management
299 Trapelo Road, Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: (617) 993-2760
Official Website: Belmont Emergency Management

• Municipal Plows: Snow may be deposited at driveway aprons during plowing. Property owners are responsible for clearing these areas.
• Side Street Schedules: Monitor local plowing schedules for residential and side streets to coordinate personal snow removal.
• Snow Emergency Declarations: Stay updated on declared snow emergencies and parking bans through official municipal channels.
• Contractor Coordination: Private snow removal contractors must not deposit snow on public roads and should coordinate with DPW operations.

Snow Emergency Parking and Space Saver Policies

Belmont enforces snow emergency parking bans on designated streets during declared snow emergencies. Residents are notified via the town website, Belmont Connect app, email alerts, and local media. Vehicles parked on designated emergency snow routes during bans may be towed at owner’s expense, with typical towing fees starting at $100 plus daily storage charges. Alternative off-street parking locations are published by the town during declared emergencies.

• Designated Routes: Emergency snow routes are clearly marked and published on the Belmont Police Department website.
• Space Savers: Belmont does not permit the use of space savers to reserve parking spaces after snow events.
• Removal Policies: All vehicles must be moved from posted routes during bans to avoid fines and towing.
• Alerts: Residents receive notifications through Belmont Connect and official channels.

Filing Snow Removal Complaints Through 311 or Municipal Reporting System

Belmont does not operate a 311 system, but snow removal violations and accessibility concerns may be reported directly to the Department of Public Works via phone, email, or the online service request portal. Reports can be submitted by calling (617) 993-2680, emailing publicworks@belmont-ma.gov, or using the Town’s Service Request Form. For accessibility violations, residents can contact the Massachusetts Office on Disability for guidance.

• Online: Belmont DPW Service Request Form
• Phone: (617) 993-2680
• Email: publicworks@belmont-ma.gov

MA Office on Disability
One Ashburton Place, Room 1305, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-7440 | TTY: (800) 322-2020
Official Website: Mass Office on Disability

Premises Liability Protection Under MA Law

Massachusetts law requires property owners to exercise reasonable care in removing snow and ice hazards from their premises, following the landmark decision Papadopoulos v. Target Corp., 457 Mass. 368 (2010), which eliminated the legal distinction between natural and artificial accumulations. This duty extends to all walkways, entrances, parking areas, and stairways adjacent to the property. Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 84, Section 15, property owners may be held liable for injuries caused by hazardous snow or ice conditions. Injured parties must provide written notice of their claim within thirty days as required by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 84, Sections 18-20.

Neighborhoods We Serve Throughout Belmont

Winn Brook: This residential area features single-family homes, moderate residential density, and mature trees that can impede snow removal equipment. The neighborhood’s narrow streets and high on-street parking volume require careful coordination for efficient snow clearance and maintain accessible sidewalks.

Belmont Hill: Home to larger lots and winding, sloped streets, Belmont Hill presents unique challenges related to steep inclines and greater risk of ice formation. Many properties have long driveways and large setbacks, necessitating additional snow removal resources and attention to runoff management.

Harvard Lawn: Located near the Cambridge border, Harvard Lawn contains a mix of multifamily homes, triple-deckers, and active commercial corridors. Dense residential and retail patterns, along with a significant elderly population, increase the need for prompt sidewalk and curb ramp clearing to support safe pedestrian mobility.

Waverley Square: As a major transportation and business hub, Waverley Square features a mix of commercial buildings and apartments. Heavy vehicle and foot traffic, combined with limited off-street parking and public transit access points, demand rigorous snow and ice management to uphold public safety standards.

Cushing Square: This active retail and mixed-use district is characterized by narrow sidewalks, angled intersections, and frequent pedestrian crossings. The area’s compact layout and limited parking create challenges for snow storage and rapid clearance.

Clark Hill: Primarily residential, Clark Hill contains both single-family and two-family homes on tree-lined streets. The neighborhood’s hilly topography and winding roads require careful snow plowing to prevent drifting and maintain emergency vehicle access.

Chenery Terrace: Featuring a mix of mid-century and newer homes, Chenery Terrace’s cul-de-sac layout and limited through traffic can result in slower snow removal response times, necessitating additional outreach for resident coordination.

Payson Park: A densely developed neighborhood with both residential and institutional properties, Payson Park’s grid-like street network simplifies plowing but requires efficient sidewalk clearing to serve area schools and parks.

Benton Square: This smaller commercial-residential district features tight street grids and historic structures. Snow removal is complicated by narrow roadways and parking limitations, especially near local businesses and community gathering points.

Belmont Center: The town’s commercial and civic heart, Belmont Center combines high-density retail, municipal buildings, and multifamily residences. Heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, coupled with angled parking and frequent deliveries, demand continuous attention to snow and ice control throughout the season.

Hillcrest: A quiet residential enclave with varied housing stock, Hillcrest’s sloping streets and moderate density require careful snow plowing schedules to keep access routes open for residents and emergency services.

Burbank: Near the town’s western edge, Burbank features a mix of single-family homes and small apartment buildings. The area’s straight streets and moderate traffic volumes allow for efficient snow clearing, but school proximity increases sidewalk safety requirements during winter weather events.