Mansfield Residential Snow Plowing Services

Mansfield Homeowner Snow Removal Requirements

Massachusetts law establishes a comprehensive framework for residential snow and ice removal responsibilities, requiring property owners, landlords, and tenants to maintain safe access throughout the winter months. 105 CMR 410.260 defines these obligations based on property type and occupancy, serving as the foundation for municipal enforcement in Mansfield. Mansfield’s local ordinance requires property owners to clear all sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours after snowfall has ceased, and to maintain safe, unobstructed access to homes, garages, and parking areas.

State regulations intersect with Mansfield’s ordinances to ensure that beyond sidewalks, residents must also keep walkways, driveways, exterior stairs, and all means of egress free from snow and ice. Failing to clear these areas not only violates local law but also increases liability for slip-and-fall incidents. These requirements apply throughout the winter season and are enforced regardless of weather severity or frequency of storms.

• Public Sidewalks: Must be cleared to a minimum width of 36 inches within 24 hours post-snowfall.
• Driveways and Walkways: Safe passage must be maintained to and from all entrances, parking areas, and garages.
• Stairs and Egress Points: All exterior stairs and secondary exits must be kept clear for emergency access.

Mansfield Inspectional Services Department
6 Park Row, Mansfield, MA 02048
Phone: (508) 261-7363
Official Website: Mansfield Inspectional Services

Mansfield Residential Snow Removal Fines and Penalties

Mansfield enforces its snow removal requirements under Town Bylaw Chapter 172, which outlines the penalties for non-compliance. Failure to clear sidewalks and other required areas within 24 hours after the end of a snowfall can result in escalating fines for residential property owners. The fine structure is as follows:

• Single-family and small multi-family properties (up to 16 units): $50 per violation per day
• Large multi-family buildings (17+ units): $100 per violation per day
• Depositing snow onto public streets: $50–$200 per occurrence, depending on the volume and impact

Each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation, with fines accruing daily until the property is brought into compliance. Enforcement is carried out through a combination of proactive inspections and responses to complaints submitted via the Mansfield 311 System. Field inspectors document violations and issue citations directly to property owners of record.

Property owners are held liable for sidewalk clearing violations, even when lease agreements assign snow removal responsibilities to tenants. Citations are issued to the owner, who must then seek reimbursement from non-compliant tenants through separate legal proceedings.

MA Landlord and Tenant Snow Removal Obligations

The Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.260 establishes non-negotiable landlord responsibilities for snow and ice removal that, in most cases, cannot be transferred to tenants through lease provisions. Landlords must ensure that all means of egress, including exits, walkways, and stairways, remain clear and accessible at all times.

MA Attorney General’s Office
One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-2200
Official Website: AG Landlord-Tenant Guide

• Multi-Family Properties: Landlords are fully responsible for clearing snow and ice from all common entrances, exterior shared stairs, parking lots, common sidewalks, and curb ramps as required by Mansfield ordinances.
• Single-Family Rental Homes: Tenants may be assigned responsibility for private driveways and stairs only if the lease contains a written provision. However, the landlord maintains ultimate liability for compliance.

• Tenant Responsibilities: Tenants may be assigned snow removal only when:
• Renting single-family homes with exclusive-use driveways and entrances
• A written lease explicitly assigns responsibility
• Paths serve only that tenant’s unit, not shared with others
• Areas include personal-use patios, decks, or private parking spaces

Landlords cannot transfer responsibility for clearing shared or common areas through lease clauses. Such provisions are considered void under Massachusetts law.

Mansfield Homeowner Driveway and Parking Area Requirements

Owner-occupied residential properties in Mansfield must be maintained with comprehensive snow and ice removal extending from public sidewalks to private driveways, walkways, and all pedestrian access routes. Homeowners assume full liability for slip-and-fall incidents resulting from insufficient snow clearing or ice treatment on their property.

• Clear driveways and walkways: Remove snow from property lines to all building entrances
• Outdoor stairs, stoops, porches, and decks: Ensure all exterior egress points are accessible
• Garbage collection points, utility meters, emergency exits: Keep these access points unobstructed
• Ice treatment: Apply sand, salt, or other traction materials to address residual ice
• Coordinate with municipal plowing schedules: Time final clearing after Mansfield DPW completes routes

Mansfield Code Enforcement Contact
Phone: (508) 261-7363
Report online: Mansfield 311 System

Mansfield’s Department of Public Works maintains approximately 160 lane miles of roadway. During plowing operations, snow is often pushed onto driveway entrances, requiring homeowners to perform secondary clearing for full access. Homeowners should:

• Monitor plowing progress via the Mansfield DPW website
• Delay final driveway clearing until plows have finished neighborhood routes
• Maintain a driveway width of 10–12 feet for safe vehicle access
• Store snow away from street edges to prevent re-blocking and visibility hazards
• Never deposit snow onto public streets, as this violates town ordinances and subjects homeowners to fines

Residential Properties Throughout Mansfield Neighborhoods

Our residential snow plowing services extend throughout Greater Mansfield's diverse neighborhoods, addressing unique challenges created by varied property types, terrain characteristics, and infrastructure conditions.

Downtown Mansfield: Characterized by historic single-family homes and multi-family buildings, the dense streets and limited on-street parking require careful snow storage and timely sidewalk clearing to maintain accessibility for residents and pedestrians.

Robinson Hill: This suburban neighborhood features larger lots with driveways, garages, and cul-de-sacs. Snow removal here must accommodate long driveways, wide front yards, and low-traffic side roads often impacted by drifting snow.

East Mansfield: A mix of single-family homes and newer developments, properties here often have sloped driveways and shared private roads, necessitating coordinated snow plowing and additional attention to ice management on inclines.

West Mansfield: Offering a blend of older ranch-style houses and newer subdivisions, this area faces unique challenges with narrow access roads, shared driveways, and limited snow storage space, particularly near intersections.

Rumford Historic District: Historic homes with preserved landscapes require sensitive snow removal to avoid damage to stone walls, mature trees, and heritage landscaping, while ensuring all egress paths are kept clear.

Willow Crossing: Comprised of multi-family complexes and townhomes, this neighborhood requires frequent plowing of shared parking lots, private access roads, and sidewalks, with special coordination to avoid blocking resident vehicles.

Maple Park: Suburban-style homes on larger lots with both attached and detached garages present unique snow management needs, including wide driveways and the necessity to keep curb ramps and mailboxes accessible.

South Mansfield Estates: Featuring cul-de-sacs and modern single-family homes, efficient snow plowing is needed to keep tight turning circles and clustered driveways clear, with a focus on safe pedestrian connections to nearby schools and parks.