Somerville Encourages Community to Follow Winter Snow Protocols
The City of Somerville is encouraging residents to prepare for potential snowstorms by staying up to date on the city’s snow emergency protocols and related inclement-weather communications. City Alerts Somerville…
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The City of Somerville is encouraging residents to prepare for potential snowstorms by staying up to date on the city's snow emergency protocols and related inclement-weather communications.
City Alerts
Somerville urges residents to prepare now for potential snowstorms by signing up for weather-related alerts through phone, text, and email.
Snow emergencies will be announced via multiple channels, including City Alerts, the City website, social media, City TV, flashing blue lights at intersections, and local media.
Vehicle Parking
During a snow emergency in an odd-numbered year, parking is allowed on the odd side of the street with several exceptions noted by street signs. Once a snow emergency is declared, vehicle owners have four hours to move to the odd side of the street or to municipal lots available for use during a snow emergency.
Municipal lots are available for snow emergency parking, with a two-hour window to move vehicles once the emergency is lifted. These lots include City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.), various off-street lots, and Founders Ice Arena. Additional lots include the following:
- Buena Vista Lot (Buena Vista Road at Holland Street)
- Cutter Square Lot (Elm Street/Summer Street at Cutter Avenue)
- Day Street Lot (Day Street at Herbert Street)
- Foss Park Lot (Broadway at McGrath Highway)
- Founders Ice Arena (Bleachery Court at Somerville Avenue)
- Grove Street Lot A (Grove Street west side at Elm Street)
- Grove Street Lot B (Grove Street east side at Elm Street)
- Grove Street Lot C (Grove Street at Highland Avenue)
- Magoun Square Lot (Broadway at Medford Street)
- Mount Vernon Street Lot (Broadway at Mt. Vernon Street)
- Union Square Lot (Washington Street at Bonner Avenue)
- Winter Hill Lot A (Broadway, north side between Fellsway West and Wheatland Street)
- Winter Hill Lot B (Broadway, north side between Wheatland Street and Grant Street)
The city reminds residents not to park their vehicles in any school parking lot.
Snow Shoveling Requirements
The City of Somerville reminds residents to clear sidewalks and ramps within six daylight hours after snowfall, create a 3-foot-wide path to the pavement, and avoid throwing snow onto streets except under specific conditions. Noncompliance can lead to escalating fines.
Teen Snow Shoveling Program
The Somerville Teen Snow Shoveling Program for 2025-2026 offers paid opportunities for teens (ages 14-19) to assist older adults and homeowners with disabilities after snowstorms. Applications and CORI forms are required by Jan. 1, 2026, and must be submitted to the Somerville Council on Aging's Holland Street Center (167 Holland St.).
Teens must appear in person at the Holland Street Center with a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport) before being approved to participate.
