Professional Snow Blowing Services in Arlington

Arlington Snow Blowing Compliance & Regulations

Arlington's 24-hour sidewalk clearing requirement applies equally to mechanically cleared surfaces and manually shoveled areas, creating urgent compliance deadlines following winter weather events regardless of equipment type. Professional snow blowing services provide efficient high-volume snow removal using commercial-grade equipment operated by trained personnel following OSHA safety protocols, proper discharge management practices, and environmental protection standards while completing clearing operations within required timeframes meeting municipal enforcement standards.

Arlington Department of Public Works
51 Grove Street, Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 316-3301
Official Website: Arlington Department of Public Works

Snow Blower Injury Statistics and Safety Risks

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) data documents approximately 5,740 hospital emergency room visits annually associated with snow thrower operations, with hand and finger injuries representing 36% of total incidents requiring medical treatment. These injuries result primarily from improper clog clearing attempts, maintenance performed with engines running, and operator contact with moving auger assemblies creating severe lacerations, amputations, and crush injuries.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 504-7923
Official Website: CPSC Snow Blower Safety

OSHA Snow Blower Operation Safety Standards

OSHA regulations require employers to protect workers operating powered snow removal equipment through proper training, personal protective equipment, and adherence to manufacturer safety guidelines.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
JFK Federal Building, Room E-340, Boston, MA 02203
Phone: (617) 565-9860
Official Website: OSHA Winter Weather Safety

Critical Safety Requirements:

• Clog Clearing Protocol: Shut off engine completely, wait for all moving parts to stop, disconnect spark plug wire, and use cleaning tool (stick or broom handle) to clear snow—never use hands or feet.
• Operator Protection: Wear safety glasses, use hearing protection when equipment exceeds 85 decibels, maintain firm footing with boots, and keep hands and loose clothing away from moving auger assemblies.
• Pre-Operation Inspection: Clear work area removing rocks, branches, and objects that could become projectiles. Inspect equipment for damaged components and ensure adequate lighting.
• Discharge Control: Direct discharge chute away from people, vehicles, windows, and buildings. Adjust chute direction using controls—never manually while equipment running.

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

Arlington Noise Ordinance and Snow Blower Operation Hours

Arlington noise regulations limit residential equipment operation during early morning and late evening hours, balancing property owners’ snow removal compliance obligations under the city’s 24-hour clearing requirement.

Arlington Noise Abatement Bylaw (Title V, Article 12) establishes maximum permissible noise levels:

• 60 decibels from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM (daytime hours)
• 50 decibels from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM (quiet hours)

Most gasoline-powered snow blowers generate 85-100 decibels, exceeding quiet hours limits. However, snow removal represents necessary property maintenance, creating practical exceptions for operations meeting municipal deadlines.

Recommended Operation Hours:

• Weekdays: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM preferred for non-emergency clearing
• Weekends: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM respecting neighborhood peace
• Emergency snow clearing: Operations necessary to meet 24-hour compliance deadline receive practical exemption regardless of hour

Property owners should prioritize early morning operations (after 7:00 AM) rather than late evening clearing when possible.

Noise Complaints:

• Arlington Police Non-Emergency: (781) 643-1212
• Environmental Violations: (781) 316-3012 (Arlington Health & Human Services)

Snow Discharge Management and Property Damage Prevention

Snow blowers discharge snow at high velocity (typically 15-20 feet for residential units, up to 50+ feet for commercial equipment) creating property damage risks and liability concerns when discharge directed toward buildings, vehicles, or neighboring properties.

Protected Areas Requiring Discharge Avoidance:

• Windows, glass doors, and architectural glass panels
• Parked vehicles, particularly windshields and body panels
• HVAC equipment, air conditioning condensers, and utility meters
• Neighboring properties without permission
• Public sidewalks and streets
• Landscaping, shrubs, and ornamental plantings

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 84, Section 15 establishes premises liability for property owners whose snow removal activities create hazardous conditions or cause damage to adjacent properties.

Plan snow placement pattern before beginning operations. Direct discharge toward property interior spaces avoiding boundary lines and rights-of-way. Avoid discharging snow onto streets violating Arlington Town Bylaws Section 3, Article 1 (additional $50-$200 fines per incident).

Parking Lot and Commercial Property Snow Blowing Standards

Commercial properties managing parking lots, loading zones, and vehicular traffic areas require efficient high-volume snow removal maintaining business operations, customer access, and employee safety throughout winter weather events.

Commercial Clearing Priorities:

• Fire lanes: 20-foot minimum width maintaining emergency vehicle access per 780 CMR Massachusetts Building Code
• Accessible parking spaces: ADA-compliant spaces, access aisles, and connecting paths to building entrances
• Primary traffic routes: Main vehicular circulation routes enabling customer access and delivery operations
• Loading docks: Commercial delivery areas requiring clear access for trucks and freight operations
• Pedestrian walkways: 42-inch minimum width paths from parking areas to building entries

Environmental Considerations for Snow Blower Operations

Gasoline-powered snow blowers generate air pollution emissions and consume fossil fuels creating environmental impacts beyond mechanical snow removal benefits. Arlington's climate initiatives and air quality standards encourage consideration of lower-emission alternatives when appropriate.

Arlington Department of Planning and Community Development
730 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 316-3090
Official Website: Arlington Department of Planning and Community Development

Professional Snow Blowing Services Throughout Arlington Neighborhoods

Our professional snow blowing services extend throughout Arlington's diverse neighborhoods, providing efficient mechanical snow removal customized to property types, surface characteristics, and accessibility requirements.

Residential Neighborhoods: Arlington Heights, Morningside, and Brattle Square feature single-family homes and classic New England colonials, along with two- and three-family houses with private driveways, front walkways, and rear parking spaces. These areas require efficient clearing that meets 24-hour compliance standards while protecting landscaping and stonework near property lines.

Dense Urban Areas: East Arlington and Arlington Center contain multi-family buildings, row houses, and limited outdoor space. Narrow walkways and close proximity to neighboring properties require precise discharge control and noise-conscious operation schedules, especially during early morning hours.

Commercial Districts: Arlington Center, Arlington Heights Business District, and Capitol Square demand early morning operations (5:00-8:00 AM) to clear parking facilities, loading zones, and pedestrian thoroughfares before business hours, enabling employee access and continuous customer service during winter weather.

Institutional Properties: The area surrounding Arlington High School, Ottoson Middle School, and Robbins Library requires 24/7 operations to maintain accessibility for students, staff, and emergency vehicles, regardless of snowfall intensity or time of day.

Historic Areas: Jason Heights and Pleasant Street Historic Districts present brick sidewalks, narrow roadways, and preserved architectural elements. Careful equipment selection and operator training are essential to avoid damage to historic surfaces while fulfilling snow removal obligations.

Hillside Neighborhoods: Park Circle and Turkey Hill feature sloped terrain, stepped walkways, and elevation changes. These areas create equipment control challenges and require experienced operators to safely manage grades and prevent equipment accidents on icy inclines.