Wellesley Residential Snow Plowing Services

Wellesley Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Massachusetts law establishes a comprehensive framework governing residential snow removal responsibilities for property owners throughout the Commonwealth. 105 CMR 410.260 (State Sanitary Code) defines the obligations of property owners, landlords, and tenants based on property type and occupancy. In Wellesley, these state regulations intersect with municipal ordinances that require property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after snowfall has ended. State law and local rules also require maintenance of safe access to homes, garages, and parking areas, not only public sidewalks. Homeowners must ensure all egresses, driveways, and access points are kept safely passable throughout the winter months to comply with both legal and safety requirements.

Wellesley Inspectional Services Department
525 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
Phone: (781) 431-1019 ext. 2222
Official Website: Wellesley Building Department

Wellesley Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

Under Wellesley Town Bylaw Article 49, property owners are subject to fines for failure to clear snow and ice from sidewalks within the required timeframe. The fine structure is as follows:

• Single-family and small multi-family (up to 16 units): $50 per violation
• Large multi-family buildings (17+ units): $100 per violation
• Each day of non-compliance: Constitutes a separate violation, incurring additional fines
• Depositing snow on public streets: $100–$200 additional penalty depending on amount and impact

Enforcement is carried out through both proactive inspections and complaint-driven citations. Residents may report violations through the Wellesley "Report a Concern" system. Inspectional Services investigates these reports, documents violations, and issues citations. Field inspectors maintain records and follow formal procedures for citation delivery. Landlords are reminded that property owners of record remain legally responsible for sidewalk compliance, even if snow removal duties are delegated to tenants via lease agreements. The City will cite the property owner, who must seek reimbursement from non-compliant tenants via separate legal action if necessary.

MA Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.260 establishes non-negotiable responsibilities for landlords regarding snow and ice removal. Landlords must keep all means of egress—such as entrances, exits, hallways, and stairs—free from snow and ice obstructions at all times. This responsibility cannot be transferred to tenants for shared or common areas, even through lease agreements.

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

• Multi-Family Properties: Landlords are fully responsible for clearing common entrances, shared stairways, parking lots, walkways, exterior shared stairs, and curb ramps as required by Wellesley ordinances.
• Single-Family Rental Homes: Tenants may be assigned responsibility for private driveways and stairs if specified in a written lease, but landlords remain ultimately liable for compliance.
• Tenant Responsibilities: Tenants may only be assigned snow removal duties if:
  • They rent single-family homes with exclusive-use driveways and entrances
  • The lease contains explicit, written assignment of duties
  • The paths serve only that tenant’s unit (not shared/common areas)
  • Personal-use areas such as patios, decks, or private parking spaces

It is important to note that lease clauses attempting to transfer responsibility for shared or common areas from landlords to tenants are void under Massachusetts law.

Wellesley Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied residential properties in Wellesley require comprehensive winter maintenance, including public sidewalks, private driveways, and all pedestrian access routes. Homeowners are fully liable for injuries arising from inadequate snow or ice removal on their property, including slip-and-fall incidents. To comply with local and state requirements, homeowners must:

• Clear driveways and walkways from the sidewalk to all building entrances
• Remove snow from outdoor stairs, stoops, porches, and decks
• Keep garbage collection points, utility meters, and emergency egresses clear
• Treat ice accumulation with sand, salt, or other traction materials
• Coordinate with municipal plowing schedules to anticipate re-clearing needs

Wellesley Code Enforcement Contact:
Phone: (781) 431-1019 ext. 2238
Report online: Wellesley Report a Concern

The Department of Public Works (DPW) in Wellesley maintains approximately 210 lane miles of public roadways. Municipal plows often deposit additional snow at the base of driveways during each pass, making secondary clearing necessary for homeowners. Best practices include monitoring plow schedules via the DPW Snow Information page, delaying final driveway clearing until plows have completed routes, maintaining a minimum driveway width of 10–12 feet for vehicle access, and creating snow storage areas away from street edges. Homeowners must never deposit snow onto public streets, as this violates local ordinances and may result in fines.

Residential Properties Throughout Wellesley Neighborhoods

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

Wellesley Hills features a mix of historic single-family homes and newer infill properties. Narrow driveways and mature trees can complicate snow storage and clearing, especially on sloped lots.

Wellesley Farms is known for large, estate-style homes with long driveways and expansive parking areas. The primary snow removal challenge here is the sheer volume of surface area and the need for coordination with private service providers.

Babson Park includes traditional suburban homes and some multi-family dwellings. Corner lots require extra attention for sidewalk and curb ramp accessibility, while multi-unit properties must coordinate clearing of shared spaces.

Wellesley Square offers denser housing, including row houses and mixed-use buildings with residential units above retail. Limited parking and pedestrian-heavy sidewalks demand prompt, thorough snow and ice removal for public access.

Cliff Estates is predominantly residential, with large single-family homes, wide driveways, and private roads. The neighborhood’s hilly terrain can lead to hazardous conditions, requiring diligent salting and repeated clearing during storms.

Hunnewell Area covers both historic and more modern homes, often with stone walkways and steps. Preservation regulations may require specific snow removal methods to protect landscaping and hardscapes.

Sprague contains a blend of post-war homes and newer construction, with varied driveway configurations. Shared driveways and limited street parking create coordination challenges for snow storage and removal.

Fells and Standish Estates are newer developments with cul-de-sacs and winding lanes. These areas often have limited municipal plow access, placing increased responsibility on homeowners and associations for timely and complete snow and ice management.