Somerville Community Encouraged to Plan Ahead for Snowstorms

The City of Somerville is encouraging the community to get ready now for potential snowstorms by signing up for City Alerts and reviewing protocols for snow emergencies. Preparing now will help keep the community safe, as well as reduce ticketing or towing for snow emergency parking violations and ticketing for failure to follow shoveling requirements. 

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

Alerts 

Snow emergencies are announced in various ways, including through phone, text, and email alerts. Those who live, work, or own a business or property in Somerville are encouraged to sign up for City Alerts. Alerts are also available in multiple languages. Sign up at somervillema.gov/alerts.  

In addition to Somerville City Alerts, snow emergencies are announced the following ways: 

• City website: somervillema.gov
• City social media feeds: somervillema.gov/social
• City TV: somervillema.gov/somerville-city-tv
• Flashing blue lights at major intersections
• Information is shared with local media 

Street Parking 

Because this winter begins in an odd-numbered year, snow emergency parking is on the odd side of the street all winter. There are a small number of exceptions to the park odd rule, which will be noted by signs on those streets. 

Once a snow emergency is declared, everyone has four hours to move their car to the odd-numbered side of the street, or to municipal lots that are available for use during a snow emergency. Parking is not allowed in school lots during snow emergencies.  

Parking is allowed at meters on the odd-numbered side of the street during a snow emergency, as long as there is no sign stating otherwise. Meters and time-parking rules are not enforced during snow emergencies. The City also does not enforce an ordinance prohibiting cars from being parked in the same spot for more than 48 hours during snow emergencies. 

Vehicles may be ticketed and towed if in violation of snow emergency parking rules.  

Municipal Lot Parking 

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

For the 2025-2026 snow season the following lots are available for parking: 

Municipal Buildings 

• City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.)
• All metered municipal parking lots 

Off-Street Municipal Parking Lots 

• Buena Vista Lot (Buena Vista Road at Holland St.)
• Cutter Square Lot (Elm St./Summer St. at Cutter Ave.)
• Day Street Lot (Day St. at Herbert St.)
• Foss Park Lot (Broadway at McGrath Hwy.)
• Grove Street Lot A (Grove St. west side at Elm St.)
• Grove Street Lot B (Grove St. east side at Elm St.)
• Grove Street Lot C (Grove St. at Highland Ave.)
• Magoun Square Lot (Broadway at Medford St.)
• Mount Vernon St. Lot (Broadway at Mt. Vernon St.)
• Union Square Lot (Washington St. at Bonner Ave.)
• Founders Ice Arena (Bleachery Ct. at Somerville Ave.)
• Winter Hill Lot A (Broadway, north side between Fellsway West and Wheatland St.)
• Winter Hill Lot B (Broadway, north side between Wheatland St. and Grant St.) 

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

Snow Shoveling Support 

The Somerville Teen Snow Shoveling Program returns for the 2025-2026 snow season. This is a paid opportunity for youth to help local seniors and homeowners with disabilities or medical conditions after a snowstorm.  

Residents interested in receiving snow shoveling assistance must submit an application and a CORI form by Thursday, January 1, 2026, to the Somerville’s Council on Aging's Holland Street Center (167 Holland St.) and appear at the Holland Street Center in person with a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport). Forms may be completed ahead of time or upon arrival at the Center. Persons who are homebound can receive application assistance by contacting Debra Higgins at the Council on Aging at 617-625-6600 ext. 2321.  

The program is available for teens aged 14 to 19 years old. All interested youths must submit an application. Youths aged 18 or 19 must also submit a CORI form.  

For questions and to learn more, visit somervillema.gov/shoveling, contact Daniel Harris at dharris@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2406, or contact 311 (617-666-3311). 

Snow Shoveling Requirements 

Property owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks and accessible ramps that abut their property. The City places buckets of sand where possible in neighborhoods, which may be used to prevent slipping on your public walkways. 

To comply with all shoveling rules: 

• Sidewalks need to be cleared within six daylight hours after the snow stops.
• Shovel a path at least 3 feet wide and down to the pavement on sidewalks and ramps.
• Do not shovel snow onto city streets unless the temperature is 40 degrees or higher, it is during daylight hours, and snow and ice are broken up and spread evenly on the street to melt quickly.  

These rules apply to all snowfall, not just when a snow emergency is declared. Failure to comply with the above rules may result in increasing fines issued until the walkway is clear.   

Be a Good Neighbor This Winter 

• Please consider checking on seniors or persons with disabilities during and after snowstorms to ensure they are safe; have all the basic supplies, food/water, and medication they need; and that they have heat and are safe if there are power outages.
• If you are physically able, please consider clearing storm drains in advance of storms, or shoveling out fire hydrants after snowfall. Always take breaks when you shovel.
• If you have a driveway, please consider sharing it with tenants, neighbors, or friends during snow emergencies to free up spaces on the street (they might even help you shovel out as a thank you).
• If you feel comfortable and safe doing so, if you see a neighbor parking on the wrong side of the street, consider sharing snow emergency parking information with them and encouraging them to sign up for City Alerts. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov. 

If you need assistance understanding this information, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311). The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.