The City of Somerville encourages the community to prepare now for possible snowstorms by signing up for City Alerts and reviewing snow emergency protocols. Preparing now will help keep the community safe and reduce the number of tickets or tows for parking violations in the snow, as well as the number of tickets for failure to comply with shoveling regulations.

All information listed below can also be found at somervillema.gov/snow.

Warnings

Snow emergencies are announced in a variety of ways, including telephone, text and email notifications. Those who live, work, or own a business or property in Somerville are urged to sign up for City Alerts. Notifications are also available in multiple languages. Sign up at somervillema.gov/alerts.

In addition to the Somerville City Alerts, snow emergencies will be announced in the following ways:

Since this winter begins in an even year, the emergency parking lot will be on the even side of the street during snowfall all winter long. There are a small number of exceptions to the park-even rule, marked by signs on this street.

Once a snow emergency is declared, everyone has four hours to move their car to the straight side of the road or to municipal parking spaces available in the event of a snow emergency. Parking in school parking lots is not permitted during snow emergencies.

During snowfall, parking is permitted on the even-numbered side of the street unless there is a sign stating otherwise. During snow emergencies, parking meters and parking times do not apply. The city does not adopt an ordinance prohibiting cars from parking in the same spot for more than 48 hours during snow emergencies.

Vehicles may be ticketed and towed if they violate snow emergency parking rules.

Municipal parking lot

City lots are available for parking during snow emergencies. Once the emergency is lifted, all cars must be removed from parking spaces within two hours.

The following parking spaces are available for the 2024-2025 snow season:

Municipal buildings

• City Hall (93 Highland Ave.)
• All paid municipal parking spaces
• Municipal parking spaces
• Buena Vista Lot, Buena Vista Road (via Holland St. or Meacham Rd.)
• Cutter Square Property (Elm St./Summer St. at Cutter Ave.)
• Day Street Lot (Day St.)
• Dilboy Pool Lot (110 Alewife Brook Pkwy.)
• Foss Park Lot (Foss Park on Broadway)
• Grove Street Lot A (Grove St. at Highland Ave., referred to as “Rite Aid Lot”)
• Grove Street Lot B (Grove St. East side, between Highland Ave. and Elm St., “Grove Street Lot”)
• Magoun Square Lot (Broadway at Medford St.)
• Mount Vernon St. Lot (Broadway between Mount Vernon St. and Mt. Pleasant St.)
• Union Square Lot (on Washington St., Washington St./Bonner Ave. entrance)
• Founder’s Ice Arena (Back – 581 Somerville Ave.)
• Winter Hill Lot A (Broadway, north side between Fellsway West and Wheatland St.)
• Winter Hill Lot B (Broadway, North Side)

Again, parking in school parking lots is not permitted during snow emergencies.

Snow Shoveling Assistance Program

The Somerville Youth Shoveling program returns for the 2024-2025 snow season. This is a paid opportunity for youth to help local seniors and homeowners with disabilities or illnesses after a snowstorm.

Seniors interested in enrolling in the service can contact Debby Higgins of the Somerville Council on Aging by emailing [email protected] or calling 617-625-6600 ext. 2321. Youth interested in enrolling can contact Youth Services Coordinator Dan Harris by email at [email protected] or by calling 617-625-6600 ext. 2406.

Snow Shoveling Requirements

Property owners are responsible for removing ice and snow from sidewalks and accessible ramps that border their property. Where possible, the city will place sand buckets in neighborhoods that can serve as slip protection on public sidewalks.

To comply with all city shoveling rules:

• Sidewalks must be cleared within six hours after the snowfall ends.
• On walkways and ramps, shovel a path at least 3 feet wide to the sidewalk.
• Do not shovel snow on city streets unless the temperature is 40 degrees or above, this is done during daylight hours and snow and ice are broken up and spread evenly across the street, melting quickly.

These rules apply to any snowfall, not just when a snow emergency is declared. Failure to follow the above rules can result in increased fines every day until the sidewalk is clear.