Residential Snow & Ice Removal Ordinance

Watertown Residential Snow & Ice Removal Ordinance Overview

In January of 2024, the Watertown City Council passed an ordinance that requires property owners in the city to remove snow and ice from sidewalks that border their property.

This ordinance is currently in effect; however, the enforcement of the ordinance will not begin until the 2024-2025 winter season.

Information about those eligible for and the process of receiving an exemption will be released in the Fall 2024

What sidewalk are homeowners responsible to shovel?

Within the 24 hours of the snow fall ending, property owners will need to clear the sidewalk that is directly abutting their property. Meaning, any sidewalk that is bordering one’s yard, fence, driveway, or other property line is their responsibility to shovel.

If you are unsure where the property line ends, please feel free to contact Tony Mancini or Diogo deSousa in the Zoning Office.

How much of the sidewalk needs to be cleared?

The ordinance requires that 42 inches, or the entire sidewalk width, whichever is narrower, must be cleared before the end of the 24-hour period following a storm. If the sidewalk has become too icy and hard to remove, the ordinance requires that sand and/or ice melt are put down to make travel reasonably safe. Once the weather permits, property owners must clear the sidewalk in accordance with the ordinance.

Please do not throw snow or ice into the street.

How much time is there to clear the sidewalk?

The City of Watertown plans to help with the messaging as to when snow and ice must be cleared on the Storm Updates page. The ordinance requires that the snow and ice are removed within 24 hours of the storm ending. Therefore, if a storm started to snow at 8 AM and ends at 11 AM; but then the snow restarted at 6 PM and ends again at 10 PM, the snow would need to be shoved by 10 PM the following day in accordance with the ordinance.

The City of Watertown plans to be reasonable about the timing of the snow removal and make clear when the 24-hour window begins.

How do you ensure you’re compliant?

The City of Watertown’s top priority is ensuring that the sidewalks are safe and accessible for everyone. Watertown is a very walkable city and is home to several amenities and services that are important to keep accessible to everyone. It is not the goal of the city to fine property owners, and it plans to be reasonable about the timeline and expectations of property owners after winter storms. Use the following checklist to avoid enforcement:

Know your property line to determine where you need to shovel.
Check the City website for when 24-hour window to shovel begins.
Clear narrower of 42-inches, or whole sidewalk within 24-hours of the snowfall ending.
Connect your path to your neighbors.
Put down sand or salt if the sidewalk has hardened ice.

The City of Watertown is not currently enforcing this ordinance in the 2023-2024 winter season. This enforcement will begin in the 2024-2025 winter season. For property owners of homes with one, two, or three residential units, the fine structure for noncompliance is as follows:

First violation: Documented warning

Second violation: $50 Fine

Third and all subsequent violations: $100 Fine