Beverly Commercial Snow Removal Services

Beverly Commercial Snow Plowing & Parking Lot Clearing Services

Commercial properties in Beverly, MA are subject to stricter enforcement protocols than residential buildings regarding snow removal and winter safety. The City of Beverly’s municipal code (Beverly Code Chapter 220-12) imposes commercial fines of $200 per violation for failure to clear sidewalks and maintain safe access. In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that businesses maintain accessible parking spaces, curb ramps, building entrances, and pedestrian routes regardless of weather conditions throughout the winter months. This page details the compliance standards, enforcement procedures, and key obligations for commercial property owners and managers in Beverly.

Beverly Inspectional Services Department
191 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915
Phone: (978) 921-6025
Official Website: Beverly Inspectional Services Department

Beverly Commercial Property Snow Removal Fines and Enhanced Penalties

Beverly enforces commercial snow removal requirements through systematic citation procedures and imposes substantially higher penalties than for residential properties. These elevated fines reflect the greater public safety impact when businesses do not maintain accessible, ice-free walkways for customers and employees.

• All commercial properties: $200 per violation for sidewalk clearing failures.
• Each day of non-compliance: Separate violation with additional $200 fine per day.
• Depositing snow on public streets: Additional $200 fine per occurrence, subject to volume and disruption.
• Repeat violations: Escalating enforcement actions, potentially including operating restrictions.

Violations that trigger fines include:

• Failing to clear sidewalks within 12 hours after snowfall cessation.
• Ice-covered accessible parking spaces and access aisles.
• Blocked curb ramps impeding wheelchair access.
• Obstructed building entrances and emergency egresses.
• Snow piles blocking accessible routes between parking and entrances.
• Depositing snow onto public streets or adjacent properties.

Important: Each separate violation (blocked entrance, uncleared parking lot, icy sidewalk) constitutes an independent fine. Multi-building commercial complexes may incur substantial penalties after a single storm event if snow removal is insufficient across multiple frontages and access points.

Fire and Life Safety Access Requirements for Commercial Properties

The Beverly Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services require that emergency vehicle access to commercial properties be maintained at all times during winter conditions. Compliance obligations extend beyond pedestrian safety and encompass scenarios critical for life safety and emergency response.

Beverly Fire Department
15 Hale Street, Beverly, MA 01915
Phone: (978) 922-2428
Official Website: Beverly Fire Department

Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
PO Box 1025, State Road, Stow, MA 01775
Phone: (978) 567-3100
Official Website: Mass Fire Services

Critical fire access requirements during winter include:

• Fire Lane Maintenance:
  • Clear all designated fire lanes to bare pavement within commercial parking lots.
  • Maintain a minimum width of 20 feet for emergency vehicles.
  • Remove snow piles encroaching on fire lane clearance.
  • Keep fire lane markings and signage visible above snow banks.
• Fire Hydrant Access:
  • Clear a 3-foot radius around all hydrants promptly after snowfall.
  • Ensure hydrants are visible from the street and marked if buried.
  • Remove ice from hydrant caps and mechanisms.
  • Coordinate with the Beverly Water Department for hydrant maintenance.
• Emergency Vehicle Access Standards:
  • Maintain a 20-foot wide clear path for fire apparatus and ambulances.
  • Vertical clearance of 13 feet 6 inches for ladder trucks.
  • Adequate turning radius and treated surfaces for traction.
  • Allow aerial ladder access within 15 feet of building structures.

The Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) further mandates that commercial properties maintain unobstructed emergency egresses at all times.

• All marked emergency exits cleared and operational.
• Exterior fire escapes and stairs free of snow and ice.
• Emergency assembly areas accessible and marked.
• Panic hardware and exit doors functional, not frozen or blocked.
• Exit pathway lighting operational and unobstructed by snow.

Federal ADA Title III Compliance for Commercial Snow Removal

The Americans with Disabilities Act Title III imposes federal accessibility requirements on all businesses and public accommodations. Under ADA Title III, businesses must maintain accessible features in full operational condition regardless of weather, creating dual compliance obligations in addition to local snow removal ordinances. Failure to comply with either standard exposes properties to separate enforcement and liability risks.

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530
Phone: (800) 514-0301
Official Website: ADA Title III Information

• Accessible parking spaces: Cleared to pavement, with access aisles fully passable.
• Curb ramps: Cannot be blocked by snow or ice accumulation.
• Building entrances: All primary and accessible entrances must maintain barrier-free access.
• Pedestrian routes: Minimum 36-inch wide clear pathway from parking to entrances.
• Loading zones: Accessible loading and service vehicle areas must remain open.
• Outdoor amenities: Barrier-free access to ATMs, outdoor seating, and customer service points.

Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB)
One Ashburton Place, Room 1310, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 727-0660
Official Website: MAAB Regulations

Massachusetts MAAB regulations enforce state accessibility standards that often exceed federal minimums, requiring businesses to maintain all accessible features fully operational at all times under 521 CMR regulations.

Commercial Parking Lot Snow Management and Operational Requirements

Commercial parking facilities in Beverly require comprehensive snow management beyond basic plowing. Obligations include maintaining designated accessible parking, managing traffic flow, planning snow storage, and coordinating removal with business operating hours to ensure uninterrupted access for customers and employees.

• Fire lanes and emergency access: Must remain clear for emergency vehicles at all times.
• Accessible parking spaces: ADA-designated spaces and access aisles cleared immediately after fire lanes.
• Primary traffic lanes: Main circulation routes cleared to facilitate customer and employee movement.
• Secondary parking areas: Cleared based on capacity and operational requirements.
• Loading docks: Maintained for commercial deliveries and supply chain continuity.

Beverly Code Enforcement Contact
Phone: (978) 921-6000
Report online: Beverly 311 System or equivalent

Business Liability Protection and Premises Insurance Requirements

Commercial property owners in Beverly face substantial premises liability exposure if inadequate snow removal leads to slip-and-fall injuries affecting customers, employees, delivery personnel, or other invitees. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in Papadopoulos v. Target Corp., 457 Mass. 368 (2010) establishes that property owners must exercise reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions—regardless of whether snow accumulation is natural or results from plowing.

• General liability insurance: Minimum $1-2 million coverage for slip-and-fall incidents.
• Commercial property insurance: Coverage for damage from plowing equipment to buildings and lots.
• Workers’ compensation: Mandated for employees injured during snow and ice removal activities.
• Umbrella coverage: Additional protection exceeding primary policy limits.

Commercial Districts Throughout Beverly Requiring Specialized Service

Our commercial snow plowing services extend throughout Beverly's diverse business districts, addressing unique operational requirements, accessibility standards, and customer access priorities specific to different commercial property types.

Downtown Beverly Business District: This historic core features a high density of office buildings, retail storefronts, restaurants, and civic institutions. Maintaining clear sidewalks, accessible building entrances, and public parking is critical to business continuity and customer safety, especially during peak business hours. Snow storage and pedestrian access are ongoing challenges due to limited space and heavy foot traffic.

Rantoul Street Retail Corridor: Home to shopping centers, supermarkets, and service businesses, this area requires coordinated snow removal schedules to accommodate extended operating hours and heavy customer turnover. Large parking lots, multiple curb cuts, and frequent deliveries demand precise snow pile placement and continuous monitoring of accessible parking and fire lanes.

Medical and Hospital District (Beverly Hospital Area): Medical office buildings, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics must guarantee continuous access for emergency vehicles, ambulances, and patients with mobility devices. Snow removal must prioritize ADA compliance and life safety requirements, including direct access to emergency entrances and clear pathways for patients and staff.

Industrial Parks (Cherry Hill and Cummings Center): These districts host manufacturing, warehousing, and research facilities with extensive parking and loading zones. Operational demands require overnight snow plowing, large-scale snow storage solutions, and maintaining clear truck access for supply chain continuity. Fire lane and hydrant access are especially critical due to facility size and occupancy.

Mixed-Use Developments (Beverly Depot Area): Featuring a blend of commercial, residential, and transit-oriented properties, these developments present unique challenges for snow removal. Coordinating with MBTA transit schedules, maintaining commuter parking, and providing safe access for residents and businesses are essential. Snow management plans must address both pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

Neighborhood Business Districts (Montserrat, North Beverly): Local retail, dining, and service businesses serve surrounding residential areas with smaller parking lots and narrower sidewalks. Timely snow removal supports small business operations and ensures compliance with ADA and city ordinances. Special attention is required for accessible routes and storefront entryways.

Institutional and Educational Campuses: Schools, colleges, and religious facilities require coordinated snow removal for large parking areas, multiple building entrances, and student drop-off zones. Ensuring emergency access and compliance with both ADA and fire safety standards is essential for these high-occupancy properties.

Waterfront Commercial Properties: Marinas, restaurants, and recreational businesses along Beverly’s harbor face additional snow management challenges, including limited snow storage, exposure to wind-driven drifts, and unique access requirements for deliveries and emergency response.