Arlington Commercial Snow Removal Services

Arlington Commercial Snow Plowing & Parking Lot Clearing Services

Commercial properties in Arlington, MA are subject to stricter snow removal enforcement protocols than residential buildings, reflecting the heightened public safety, accessibility, and operational risks for businesses. Under Arlington’s Municipal Code, Section 21, commercial property owners face fines of $200 per violation for failure to remove snow and ice from sidewalks and accessible areas. In addition, federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements mandate that accessible parking spaces, curb ramps, building entrances, and pedestrian routes must remain clear and usable at all times throughout the winter months, regardless of weather conditions. This page provides an overview of Arlington’s commercial snow plowing and parking lot clearing requirements, focusing on regulatory compliance, accessibility, fire safety, and business liability exposure.

Arlington Inspectional Services Department
51 Grove Street, Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 316-3390
Official Website: Arlington Inspectional Services Department

Arlington Commercial Property Snow Removal Fines and Enhanced Penalties

Arlington enforces commercial snow removal requirements with systematic citation procedures carrying substantially higher penalties than those for residential properties. The city’s elevated fines reflect the greater public safety impact when businesses fail to maintain accessible, ice-free walkways that serve customers and employees. Specific fine structure includes:

• All commercial properties: $200 per violation for failure to clear sidewalks and accessible routes.
• Each day of non-compliance: Treated as a separate violation, incurring additional $200 fines per day.
• Depositing snow on streets: $100 additional penalty per incident, with higher amounts possible for large volumes or repeat violations.
• Repeat violations: Escalating enforcement, including possible operating restrictions or mandatory corrective action.

Violations that trigger commercial penalties include:

• Failing to clear sidewalks within 8 hours after the end of snowfall (per Arlington ordinance).
• Ice-covered accessible parking spaces and access aisles.
• Blocked curb ramps preventing wheelchair access.
• Obstructed building entrances and emergency egresses.
• Snow piles blocking accessible routes between parking and entrances.
• Depositing snow onto public streets or adjacent properties.

Important: Each separate violation (such as a blocked entrance, uncleared parking lot, or icy sidewalk) constitutes an independent fine. Multi-building commercial complexes may accrue significant penalties following a single storm event if snow removal is inadequate across multiple frontages or access points.

Fire and Life Safety Access Requirements for Commercial Properties

The Arlington Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services require all commercial properties to maintain emergency vehicle access and fire safety routes throughout winter conditions. These compliance obligations address not only pedestrian safety but also life-threatening emergency response scenarios.

Arlington Fire Department
411 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02474
Phone: (781) 316-3800
Official Website: Arlington Fire Department

Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
PO Box 1025, State Road, Stow, MA 01775
Phone: (978) 567-3100
Official Website: Mass Fire Services

• Fire Lane Maintenance:
  • Clear all designated fire lanes to pavement within commercial parking lots.
  • Maintain a 20-foot minimum width for emergency vehicle passage.
  • Remove snow piles that reduce fire lane clearance below minimum standards.
  • Keep fire lane markings visible, repainting after snow season as needed.
  • Ensure fire lane signage is visible above snow accumulation.
• Fire Hydrant Access:
  • Clear a three-foot radius around all fire hydrants immediately after snowfall.
  • Maintain clear sight lines so hydrants are visible from the street.
  • Remove ice on hydrant caps and mechanisms.
  • Mark hydrant locations with flags or markers if buried by plowed snow.
  • Coordinate with Arlington Water & Sewer Division for hydrant functionality.
• Emergency Vehicle Access Standards:
  • Minimum width: 20 feet clear for fire apparatus and ambulances.
  • Vertical clearance: 13 feet 6 inches minimum for ladder trucks.
  • Turning radius: Adequate for emergency vehicle maneuvering.
  • Surface conditions: Treated for traction to prevent vehicle delays.
  • Building proximity: Aerial ladder access within 15 feet of structures.

The Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) requires that all commercial properties maintain unobstructed emergency egresses at all times. Emergency egress priorities include:

• All marked emergency exits cleared and operational
• Exterior fire escapes and stairs free from snow and ice
• Emergency assembly areas accessible and marked
• Panic hardware and exit doors functional (not frozen or ice-blocked)
• Exit pathway lighting operational and snow-free

Federal ADA Title III Compliance for Commercial Snow Removal

The Americans with Disabilities Act Title III establishes federal accessibility requirements for all businesses and public accommodations, regardless of local ordinances. Businesses must keep accessible features operational at all times, with these obligations existing separately from municipal snow removal codes. This dual compliance framework creates distinct enforcement mechanisms and potential liability exposure for commercial property owners.

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530
Phone: (800) 514-0301
Official Website: ADA Title III Information

• Accessible parking spaces: Cleared to pavement with fully passable access aisles
• Curb ramps: Free of snow piles and ice accumulation
• Building entrances: Primary and accessible entrances must maintain barrier-free access
• Pedestrian routes: Pathways from parking to entrances must be kept at least 36 inches wide and clear
• Loading zones: Accessible loading zones for delivery and service vehicles
• Outdoor amenities: Accessible routes to ATMs, outdoor seating, and customer service areas

Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB)
One Ashburton Place, Room 1310, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-0660
Official Website: MAAB Regulations

MAAB regulations enforce state accessibility standards that exceed federal minimums in certain situations, requiring that accessible features remain fully operational at all times per 521 CMR regulations.

Commercial Parking Lot Snow Management and Operational Requirements

Commercial parking facilities in Arlington require a comprehensive snow management strategy that extends beyond simple plowing to include accessible parking maintenance, traffic flow management, snow storage planning, and alignment with business operating hours to ensure uninterrupted access for customers and employees during winter weather events.

• Fire lanes and emergency access: Maintained clear at all times for emergency vehicles
• Accessible parking spaces: ADA-designated spaces and access aisles cleared immediately after fire lanes
• Primary traffic lanes: Main circulation routes cleared for customer access
• Secondary parking areas: Cleared based on capacity and operational needs
• Loading docks: Delivery and service areas maintained for business continuity

Arlington Code Enforcement Contact:
Phone: (781) 316-3390
Report online: Arlington 311 System or equivalent

Business Liability Protection and Premises Insurance Requirements

Commercial property owners in Arlington face significant premises liability exposure if inadequate snow removal leads to slip-and-fall incidents involving customers, employees, delivery personnel, or business invitees. The precedent set in Papadopoulos v. Target Corp., 457 Mass. 368 (2010) requires property owners to exercise reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions, regardless of whether snow accumulation arises from natural or mechanical means.

• General liability insurance: Minimum $1-2 million coverage for slip-and-fall claims
• Commercial property insurance: Coverage for physical damage to buildings and parking lots from plowing or snow removal equipment
• Workers’ compensation: Required for employees injured during snow removal operations
• Umbrella coverage: Additional protection above primary policy limits

Commercial Districts Throughout Arlington Requiring Specialized Service

Our commercial snow plowing services extend throughout Arlington's diverse business districts, addressing unique operational requirements, accessibility standards, and customer access priorities specific to different commercial property types.

Arlington Center: This vibrant downtown district features mixed-use office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants with high pedestrian traffic. Snow management here must prioritize continuous sidewalk clearing, on-street parking access, and rapid response to changing winter conditions to support business continuity and public safety.

East Arlington (Massachusetts Avenue Corridor): Retail corridors and neighborhood businesses along Massachusetts Avenue require careful snow storage planning and uninterrupted access to public transit stops. Businesses must coordinate snow removal to maintain customer access and comply with ADA and municipal standards during peak commercial hours.

Arlington Heights: This area comprises a mix of professional offices, medical facilities, and small shopping plazas. Plowing operations must ensure accessible parking, clear entranceways, and unimpeded emergency vehicle access, particularly for healthcare and essential service providers.

Arlington Industrial District (Mill Brook Area): Industrial parks and warehouse complexes face challenges related to large parking lots, truck maneuvering, and loading dock access. Snow storage logistics and fire lane maintenance are critical to supporting operations and regulatory compliance.

Hospital and Medical Campuses (near Mount Auburn Street): Medical centers, clinics, and specialty practices require prioritized snow clearing for emergency access, ADA-compliant parking, and continuous accessibility for patients and ambulances. Coordination with institutional security and facilities management is essential.

Neighborhood Business Districts (Capitol Square, Brattle Square): These smaller commercial nodes serve local residents and include independent shops, cafes, and service providers. Snow removal must balance pedestrian safety, limited parking, and proximity to residential areas while preserving community access.

Mixed-Use Developments (Broadway and Mystic Street): Developments that blend retail, office, and residential components require coordinated snow management for shared parking garages, service entrances, and pedestrian walkways, with attention to shared liability and accessibility standards.

Transit-Oriented Properties (Alewife Brook Parkway): Commercial properties adjacent to transit hubs experience high volumes of foot traffic and require consistent clearing of sidewalks, crosswalks, and bus stop access points, as well as careful planning for snow storage and pedestrian routing.