Norfolk Residential Snow Plowing Services

Norfolk Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Massachusetts law establishes a comprehensive framework for residential snow removal responsibilities, requiring property owners, landlords, and in some cases tenants, to maintain safe and accessible premises during winter months. 105 CMR 410.260 defines the legal obligations for property owners, landlords, and tenants, depending on property type and occupancy. In Norfolk, these state regulations are further supported by local ordinances that require property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall has ended. Beyond sidewalks, homeowners must maintain safe access to entrances, garages, and parking facilities to ensure uninterrupted and hazard-free passage for residents and visitors throughout the winter.

• Sidewalks: Must be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after accumulation ceases.
• Entrances and Pathways: Maintain unobstructed access to all building entrances, garages, and parking areas.
• Common Areas: Shared walkways and access routes must remain clear and safe for all occupants.
• Ice Treatment: Apply sand, salt, or other materials to remedy slippery conditions as needed throughout the winter season.

Norfolk Inspectional Services Department
1 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, MA 02056
Phone: (508) 528-5088
Official Website: Norfolk Inspectional Services Department

Norfolk Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

Norfolk’s municipal code enforces snow removal requirements with specific fines and penalties for non-compliance. According to Bylaw Article 5 – Streets and Sidewalks, failure to clear sidewalks within the prescribed period results in fines assessed per violation and per day of non-compliance. The fine structure is as follows:

• Single-family and small multi-family properties (up to 16 units): $50 per violation, per day
• Large multi-family properties (17+ units): $100 per violation, per day
• Depositing snow onto public streets: $50–$100 additional penalty, depending on the amount of snow and circumstances

Enforcement is conducted by the Norfolk Inspectional Services Department via both proactive inspections and complaint-driven citations. Residents can report violations through the Norfolk 311 System. Field inspectors document conditions and issue citations as necessary. It is important to note that property owners remain legally responsible for sidewalk clearing violations, even if their lease agreements assign snow removal duties to tenants. The Town of Norfolk issues citations directly to property owners of record; any reimbursement or cost recovery from tenants must occur through separate legal processes.

MA Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

Under the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.260, landlords have non-transferable responsibilities for removing snow and ice from all means of egress. These obligations cannot generally be assigned to tenants through lease provisions, except in certain single-family home situations.

MA Attorney General’s Office
One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-2200
Official Website: AG Landlord-Tenant Guide

• Landlord Responsibilities:
  • Multi-Family Properties: Responsible for keeping common entrances, stairways, parking lots, walkways, and curb ramps clear of snow and ice.
  • Exterior Shared Stairs: Full responsibility remains with the property owner.
  • Single-Family Rental Homes: Tenants may be assigned responsibility for private driveways and stairs if specified in a written lease, but landlords retain ultimate liability.
• Tenant Responsibilities:
  • Assigned only when renting a single-family home with exclusive-use driveways and entrances, and only if the lease contains explicit written assignment.
  • Tenant-cleared paths must serve only that tenant’s unit (not shared egress).
  • Personal-use areas such as patios, decks, or private parking spaces may be assigned to tenants.
• Important: Landlords cannot transfer responsibility for shared or common areas through lease provisions. Such assignments are void under Massachusetts law.

Norfolk Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied residential properties in Norfolk must maintain comprehensive winter safety, extending from public sidewalks to private driveways and all pedestrian routes. Homeowners are fully liable for slip-and-fall incidents arising from inadequate snow removal on their property.

• Clear all driveways and walkways: From the sidewalk to every building entrance.
• Remove snow from outdoor stairs, stoops, porches, and decks: Maintain safe passage to and from the home.
• Clear garbage collection points, utility meters, and emergency egresses: Ensure that all essential access points are unobstructed.
• Treat ice with sand, salt, or traction materials: Take immediate action to address slippery surfaces.
• Coordinate with municipal plowing schedules: Adjust personal snow removal timing to account for additional snow left by town plows.

Norfolk Code Enforcement Contact:
Phone: (508) 528-5088
Report online: Norfolk 311 System

Norfolk Public Works (DPW) clears approximately 120 lane miles of roadways, which can result in snow being deposited at the end of driveways and access points. Homeowners should plan for secondary clearing after plows have passed and coordinate with published plowing schedules, available via the Norfolk town website. Best practices for driveway clearing include:

• Monitor town plowing progress: Use the Norfolk website or town alerts for updates.
• Delay final clearing: Wait until DPW completes your street before finalizing snow removal at driveway entrances.
• Maintain 10-12 foot driveway width: Ensure clear passage for vehicles.
• Create snow storage away from street edges: Prevent re-blocking by subsequent plows.
• Never deposit snow onto public streets: This practice violates local ordinances and is subject to additional fines.

Residential Properties Throughout Norfolk Neighborhoods

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

Town Center and Village District: Characterized by historic homes, mixed-use buildings, and close-set single-family residences along Main Street and Rockwood Road. Narrow sidewalks and limited snow storage require meticulous, frequent clearing and attention to preservation requirements for older properties.

Medway Branch Area: Primarily suburban single-family homes on medium-sized lots, often with long driveways and side-entry garages. Snow removal here must account for driveway length, additional parking spaces, and sloped access routes that increase ice hazards.

Pondville Neighborhood: Features a mix of larger estate homes and multi-acre properties surrounded by wooded terrain. The expansive driveways and private roads demand significant plowing resources and careful snow placement to avoid blocking access to secondary structures and emergency routes.

Highland Lake Estates: A planned residential subdivision with cul-de-sacs, shared driveways, and uniform sidewalks. Residents must coordinate clearing shared access points and adhere to HOA winter maintenance guidelines in addition to municipal requirements.

North Norfolk/Freeman Street Area: Contains older single-family homes and some duplexes on narrow lots, with limited on-site parking and tight curbside snow storage. The proximity of homes to the street and lack of setback complicates snow placement and increases the risk of sidewalk obstructions.

Lawrence Street Corridor: Densely developed with a mix of small multi-family buildings and single-family homes. Shared walkways, staircases, and parking areas require coordinated snow removal efforts between landlords and tenants, with particular attention to common egress routes.

Stony Brook/South Norfolk: Predominantly suburban homes on hilly terrain, with significant variations in driveway slope and orientation. Snow and ice management is especially critical to maintain safe access on inclines and to prevent runoff from refreezing on walkways and driveways.

Boardman Street Rural Properties: Larger rural lots with extended private drives, barns, and secondary structures. Clearing these areas requires substantial effort and the use of specialized equipment to maintain accessibility for emergency vehicles and service providers throughout the winter season.