Snow clearance in Worcester

Snow removal firms and roofers.

12 pros in Worcester

Snow clearance in Worcester comes with city rules that shape what you should ask for. Under the Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance, owners and occupants must clear and treat the sidewalks beside their property within 10 hours after snow stops falling (fact 1). The path must be 4 feet wide, and ramps at corners that abut the property must be cleared too (fact 2). The city also prohibits shoveling, plowing or snow blowing snow back into the street while clearing driveways and sidewalks (fact 4). Before you hire a plow or shoveling crew, ask whether the price covers the sidewalk and corner ramps as well as the driveway, and how quickly they reach you after a storm ends. Ask how they will handle the snow so it does not go back into the street. Because parking rules change when a snow emergency is declared (fact 5), agree on what happens if a car is in the way. Get the scope, timing and response in writing.

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What to know in Worcester

  • Worcester's snow removal page says sidewalks must be cleared to a 4-foot wide path within 10 hours after snow ceases to fall. Ramps at corners that abut the property must also be cleared.

    City of Worcester (source, opens in a new tab)

  • In Worcester, a permanent winter parking ban is in effect from December 1st through April 30th on Emergency Arteries, WRTA Bus Routes, and streets that are critical to the flow of traffic.

    City of Worcester (source, opens in a new tab)

  • Worcester's winter weather page says there is no parking on one or both sides of the street between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. and anytime a snow emergency is declared. When a Declared Ban takes effect, parking is typically allowed on only one side of the street.

    City of Worcester (source, opens in a new tab)

  • The National Weather Service in Taunton confirmed three tornadoes on June 1, 2011 in southwest and south-central Massachusetts. One damage path ran from Westfield to Charlton in Hampden and Worcester Counties, with a continuous damage path of approximately 39 miles.

    National Weather Service (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Ask about liability insurance and workers’ compensation cover before anyone works on your roof or property.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Worcester

How soon do I have to clear my sidewalk in Worcester?

The city's Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance gives owners and occupants of residential or business property 10 hours after snow stops falling to clear and treat the sidewalks next to the property. If you hire a contractor, make sure the agreement covers this window, since the duty stays with you. City of Worcester (source, opens in a new tab)

Can a plow crew push snow into the street in Worcester?

No. Worcester's snow emergency guidelines say that shoveling, plowing or snow blowing snow back into the street while clearing driveways and sidewalks is prohibited by City Ordinance. Ask any crew where they will put the snow, and put that expectation in the written agreement before the season starts. City of Worcester (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a snow clearance quote or contract include?

Ask for a written scope listing what is cleared: driveway, walkways, sidewalk and corner ramps. It should state when service starts, such as the snowfall depth that triggers a visit, how often they return, whether salt or treatment is included, and how any damage is handled. Ask for proof of insurance.

How do I compare snow removal quotes?

Compare like with like. Check that each quote covers the same areas, the same trigger for plowing, the same response time after a storm, and the same treatment of surfaces. Seasonal and per-visit arrangements differ, so ask how each handles repeat storms. Check references and insurance before you sign.