Snow Storm Policy

Tips for Coping with Snow Storms
Snow Emergencies
Where Do I Park
Snow and Ice Control/Operations
Plowing Operations
Sidewalk Clearing
Residential & Commercial Sidewalks
Where to put the Snow?
City Ordinances
Who Do I Contact For...?


TIPS

  • Whenever possible, pile snow to the right of the driveway to reduce the potential of having it redeposited in your driveway opening.
  • Snow should be kept on the owners’ property (not on the street).
  • Shovel your driveway after the storm to avoid doing it twice.
  • Prevent flooding by clearing catch basins near your home to allow rain or melting snow to enter the drainage system.
  • Older residents or persons with health problems should consult their physician prior to shoveling snow.
  • In the interest of safety, clear fire hydrants of snow in your neighborhood. The Waltham Fire Department is responsible for clearing hydrants in Waltham, however you can help them help you by clearing the hydrants closest to you! Please clear a wide enough perimeter around the hydrant for firefighters to work (about 3 feet). Make sure to clear a path from the hydrant to the street. Click here for guidelines on how to locate the nearest hydrant(s) to your property.
  • Home and business owners must protect themselves from dangers associated with snow build up and cold wintry weather. Shovel out all exits from your home or business. When there is an emergency, it is important to have more than one way out. It is equally important to keep outside furnace, hot water and dryer vents clear of snow to prevent gases from backing up into the home and creating a carbon monoxide or fire hazard. See additional Snow Storm Safety tips here.
  • New to Waltham? See a helpful overview of our city's workings here

 

SNOW EMERGENCIES
During the Winters in Waltham, a "Snow Emergency / Parking Ban" may be declared when significant snowfall is expected. When a Snow Emergency / Parking Ban is in effect, there is NO on street parking. All vehicles must be removed from all roadways or they are subject to tow. Residents may utilize School & municipal parking lots (excluding the Public Library lot), however when the ban is lifted, vehicles must be removed from School lots within 2 hours and Municipal lots withing 24 hours. All Winter related alerts & information will be posted to our Winter Weather Alert Center. Snow Emergencies / Parking Bans will also be communicated through our citywide CodeRED system. It is strongly advised you sign up to ensure you don't miss the urgent alert should a Snow Emergency / Parking Ban be announced.

 

WHERE DO I PARK?
The City of Waltham has several municipal & school parking lots. If you are unable to park in a driveway during a parking ban, you may use ANY Municipal or School parking lot & you do not have to pay the meters to park (only applicable when parking ban is in effect). When a parking ban is in place, there is absolutely NO parking on city streets as violators may be subject to tow. If your car is towed, you can call the Waltham, MA Police Department to recover it at 781-314-3600.

After a parking ban is lifted, you have:
2 HOURS to remove cars from SCHOOL LOTS
24 HOURS to remove cars from MUNICIPAL LOTS

Any cars remaining in school lots at the 2 HOUR MARK from the time the parking ban has been released, will be ticketed or towed. Any cars remaining in municipal lots at the 24 HOUR MARK from the time the parking ban has been released, will be ticketed or towed.
 


SNOW AND ICE CONTROL / OPERATIONS
The City of Waltham’s snow and ice control policy is to make the roads passable and safe considering the weather conditions. During a storm, our objective is to keep the roads accessible for police, fire and ambulance services. After each storm we will strive to make the roads safe for the general public. We are committed to providing an effective, efficient service.

Consolidated Public Works is responsible for more than 150 miles of roadway to be treated and plowed. There are many municipal parking areas, schools and municipal buildings. The streets of Waltham have been divided into 11 salt routes plus schools. During light snow and ice conditions the major arteries are treated to make them safe as quickly as possible. Secondary streets and municipal lots are treated with a sand-salt mixture for safe passage.



PLOWING OPERATIONS
Waltham’s streets are divided into 61 plow routes plus schools. During a significant snow storm the streets on each route are plowed in sequence and made passable as quickly as possible. While it is snowing, drivers are instructed to open up each route. When the storm abates the drivers will widen out all streets by pushing the accumulated snow back to the curb. To avoid shoveling driveways several times residents should wait to clear after the plow operation is over. This is usually about 2 hours after the last snow has fallen.



SIDEWALK CLEARING
Whenever there is a significant snowfall, the City of Waltham will plow sidewalks as soon as possible on selected roadways and school routes. (schools being first priority). See below for an outline on clearing of residential & commercial sidewalks.
 


RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SIDEWALKS
Sidewalk clearing is strongly encouraged to ensure safe pedestrian passage. Article 17-23 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham also mandates that certain property owners remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property after any snow or ice event. You can see the full ordinance (updated in December 2022) here, and a quick overview below.

You are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks that are in front of, at the side of, or abut your property in any way, if: 

  • Your property or land abuts a sidewalk, excluding single or two-family residences; or 

  • Your building contains three or more dwelling units, as defined in the Zoning Code; or

  • Your property is in any Business, Commercial, or Industrial District, in the Hope Ave. Redevelopment District, or in the Riverfront Overlay District, as defined and delineated in the Zoning Code; or

  • Your property contains a building designated and used for institutional uses, as defined and delineated in the Zoning Code.

All sidewalks in these instances are to be maintained in a non-slippery condition suitable for pedestrian travel by clearing all snow and ice from a pathway at least thirty-six (36) inches in width along the length of said sidewalk. Sidewalks must be cleared within the first three hours between sunrise and sunset after the snow and ice event has stopped, and must be maintained by application(s) of sand and/or melting agents as may be necessary. Make sure to check our Winter Weather Center for updates from the Consolidated Public Works Director during snowy/icy weather.


WHERE TO PUT THE SNOW?
Residents and businesses shall not block, obstruct or otherwise hinder or impair pedestrian or vehicular traffic by placing, shoveling, plowing, or throwing snow or ice on any City Street, sidewalk, public park, or municipal property. City ordinance 17-16 prohibits this, and any violation of this will result in a fine to the property owner.