Maynard Residential Snow Plowing Services

Maynard Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Massachusetts law provides the foundational framework for residential snow removal responsibilities, requiring property owners, landlords, and tenants to ensure safe and accessible conditions during winter. The 105 CMR 410.260 (State Sanitary Code) details these obligations, referencing property type and occupant arrangements. Maynard’s municipal ordinances reinforce these requirements with specific mandates for sidewalk clearance and access to homes. According to Maynard Town Code § 203-4, residents must remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Beyond sidewalks, homeowners are responsible for keeping entryways, driveways, garages, and parking areas clear throughout the winter to maintain safe access for occupants and emergency personnel.

• Sidewalks: Must be cleared within 24 hours after snowfall has ceased.
• Driveways and Walkways: Required to be kept passable to all building entrances and garages.
• Parking Facilities: Homeowners must maintain safe access to off-street parking areas for residents and visitors.
• Additional Duties: Removal of snow and ice from stairs, stoops, decks, and other entry points is necessary for safety and code compliance.

Maynard Inspectional Services Department
195 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754
Phone: (978) 897-1302
Official Website: Maynard Inspectional Services Department

Maynard Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

Maynard strictly enforces its snow removal ordinance (Town Code § 203-4). Failure to comply with sidewalk clearing requirements can result in the following fines:

• 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 streets: $100 - $200 additional penalty depending on volume and severity

Each day that sidewalks and access points remain uncleared constitutes a separate violation, accruing additional fines. Enforcement is conducted through both proactive inspections and a complaint-driven process. Residents may report violations via the Maynard 311 system. Inspectional Services investigates these reports, with field inspectors documenting conditions and issuing citations as needed.

It is important for landlords to note that property owners are held liable for sidewalk violations, even if lease agreements assign snow removal duties to tenants. Citations are always issued to the property owner of record. Owners must seek reimbursement from non-compliant tenants through separate legal procedures.

MA Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.260 sets forth non-negotiable landlord responsibilities for snow and ice removal. Landlords must keep all means of egress—including exterior stairs, walkways, and driveways—free from snow and ice at all times. This legal obligation cannot be transferred to tenants through lease provisions except in specific single-family arrangements.

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 solely responsible for clearing all common entrances, exterior stairs, parking lots, walkways, and curb ramps. These duties cannot be assigned to tenants by lease.
• Single-Family Rental Homes: Tenants may only be assigned responsibility for private driveways and exclusive-use stairs by explicit written lease, but landlords retain legal liability for ensuring compliance.
• Tenant Responsibilities: Tenants may be required to remove snow only if:
• They rent a single-family home with exclusive-use driveways and entrances
• The lease contains an explicit, written assignment of responsibility
• The paths serve only that tenant’s unit and are not shared
• Personal-use areas such as decks, patios, or private parking spaces are involved
• Shared/Common Areas: Landlords cannot transfer responsibility for common areas to tenants; such lease clauses are void under Massachusetts law.

Maynard Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied residential properties in Maynard are expected to maintain all winter access routes, extending from public sidewalks to private driveways and pedestrian pathways. Homeowners assume full liability for slip-and-fall incidents on their property resulting from inadequate snow or ice removal.

• Clear driveways and walkways: Ensure unobstructed passage from sidewalks to all building entrances and garages.
• Remove snow from stairs, stoops, porches, decks: Keep all entry points accessible for residents and emergency responders.
• Clear garbage collection, utility meters, emergency exits: Maintain access to essential services and egress points.
• Treat ice: Use sand, salt, or traction materials to address slippery conditions.
• Coordinate with municipal plowing: Adjust timing of final driveway clearing based on DPW operations.

Maynard Code Enforcement Contact
Phone: (978) 897-1302
Report online: Maynard 311 System

Maynard’s Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains approximately 46 lane miles of public roads. Municipal plowing frequently deposits snow at the end of residential driveways, requiring homeowners to perform secondary clearing after plows pass. Homeowners are encouraged to monitor plowing activity via the Maynard DPW website and delay final driveway clearing until neighborhood routes are complete.

• Maintain a 10-12 foot wide driveway: Ensure sufficient width for emergency and service vehicles.
• Create snow storage away from street edges: Prevent re-plowing and minimize street obstructions.
• Never deposit snow onto public streets: This is a violation subject to fines under local ordinance.

Residential Properties Throughout Maynard Neighborhoods

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

Maynard Center Historic District: Characterized by historic single-family homes and preserved multi-family structures with narrow sidewalks, brick walkways, and limited snow storage areas. Snow removal must be performed with care to protect historic features and maintain accessibility for pedestrians.

Assabet Village: Features a mix of multi-family apartment complexes and townhouses with shared parking lots and interior walkways. Coordinated clearing is required for communal spaces, and special attention is needed for plowing between closely spaced buildings.

Summer Hill Neighborhood: Composed mostly of modern single-family homes on suburban-style lots with long driveways and private walkways. Homeowners must address larger driveways and manage substantial snow accumulation from both weather and municipal plows.

Great Road Corridor: Includes row houses and small multi-family buildings with shared driveways, off-street parking, and compact outdoor spaces. Efficient snow management is essential to keep access routes and parking available for multiple residents.

Maplebrook Condominiums Area: Condominium communities with internal roads, shared sidewalks, and communal parking lots. Snow removal requires collaboration with property management to ensure all areas remain accessible and safe during winter events.

Mayfield Estates: Suburban subdivision with wide streets and deep-set homes, predominantly single-family residences. Residents must clear long driveways and coordinate with municipal plow schedules to avoid repeated snow blockages at road entrances.

Waltham Street Multi-Family Zone: Area with two- and three-family homes, triple-deckers, and converted historic properties. Narrow lots, shared entryways, and limited snow storage demand careful planning and clear delineation of responsibilities for each unit.

Acton Street Residential Corridor: Mix of older homes, duplexes, and modern infill housing with diverse driveway and access configurations. Snow removal challenges include variable lot sizes, sloped driveways, and ensuring uninterrupted access for all occupants and service providers.