Move cars from city lots by 12 noon, property owners must shovel sidewalks by 1 p.m. Friday 

The City of Somerville’s snow emergency will end Friday, December 18, at 10 a.m. and normal parking rules will resume at that time. The information below offers tips to avoid ticketing and towing as well as strategies for being a good neighbor and staying safe.

MOVE CARS FROM LOTS: Residents parked in municipal lots during the snow emergency have a two-hour window to move their vehicles after the end of a snow emergency. Cars still parked in municipal lots after 12 noon on Friday will be subject to ticketing and towing to ensure crews are able to safely plow lots.

PERMIT VISIBILITY: Please note that by 10 a.m., Saturday, December 19 (24 hours after the end of the snow emergency), residential or visitor parking permits must be cleared of snow and visible or the vehicle may be ticketed. 

SNOW REMOVAL FROM VEHICLES: Please note that by 10 a.m., Sunday, December 20 (48 hours after the end of the emergency), your vehicle must be fully cleared of snow to avoid ticketing.

SIDEWALK SHOVELING: To allow safe passage for all and to avoid being ticketed, property owners must clear snow from their sidewalks by 1 p.m. Friday (within 6 daylight hours of the end of snowfall). A path down to the pavement and at least 36-inches wide is required to allow wheelchair passage. Please remember to also treat your walks in the coming days for ice that can form overnight as meltwater refreezes. Be sure to stay warm and take frequent breaks while shoveling. Review cold weather safety tips at www.somervillema.gov/coldweather. 

SHOVELING ASSISTANCE: If you are a senior or are otherwise physically unable to shovel, please call the Council on Aging at 617-625-6600 x2300 during normal business hours to sign up in advance for assistance for the NEXT storm. 

BIKE TRAVEL: Crews are working to remove snow from bike lanes. Please wait for lanes to be cleared, use caution when riding a bike post-storm, and consider using other modes of transportation if you must travel until pavement is fully clear of snow and ice.

HOW TO HELP: Check on Neighbors, Shovel Hydrants, Use Your Driveway, Park Considerately   Please consider assisting neighbors who may need help with shoveling and consider checking in on elderly neighbors or others who may need additional assistance. Our crews are also working to shovel out fire hydrants and catch basins. If you are able, we greatly appreciate any assistance in shoveling hydrants and catch basins in your area. Finally, parking is often tight following a storm. If you have a driveway, please use it, and if you park on the street, try to maximize room for others.

OPEN, CLOSED, DELAYED: 

• • Open Friday:

    • Remote City services available during usual business hours

    • School remote learning as scheduled

    • City and School buildings open (limited parking at City Hall)

    • Grab and Go meals distribution 11:30-2 p.m. only (no morning pickups)

    • All Community Schools programming as scheduled

    • Library curbside services starting at 2 p.m.

    • CHA Covid-19 testing site at Assembly open 

    • Ice rink open

  • Delayed: 

    • Trash pickup will be delayed by one day starting Thursday (put Thursday waste out on Friday, Friday waste out on Saturday)

  • Canceled:

    • Street sweeping is suspended through the end of the year. It is City policy to end the winter street sweeping season with the first snow emergency. 

  • Closed Friday:

    • Kennedy pool

THANK YOU & MORE INFO: We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this storm. For more information on post-snow policies, please visit www.somervillema.gov/snow. 

For more information or to make a non-emergency service request, please dial 311 (627-666-3311) or visit the City’s website, www.somervillema.gov. 311 may also be contacted via fb.com/311Somerville, @311somerville, and the 311 app for iOS or Android.

-City of Somerville