Sharon Commercial Snow Removal Services

Sharon Commercial Snow Plowing & Parking Lot Clearing Services

Commercial property owners in Sharon, MA are subject to stricter snow removal enforcement protocols than those governing residential buildings. The Town of Sharon imposes commercial fines of $200 per violation for failure to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in accordance with local bylaws (code 200). In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that accessible features such as parking spaces, curb ramps, building entrances, and pedestrian routes remain clear and usable regardless of weather conditions throughout the winter months. This page details Sharon’s commercial snow removal requirements, operational protocols, and compliance obligations.

Sharon Inspectional Services Department
90 South Main Street, Sharon, MA 02067
Phone: (781) 784-1500 ext. 1201
Official Website: Sharon Inspectional Services Department

Sharon Commercial Property Snow Removal Fines and Enhanced Penalties

Sharon enforces commercial snow removal requirements through systematic citation procedures, applying substantially higher penalties than those levied against residential property owners. These increased fines reflect the heightened public safety risks when businesses fail to maintain safe, accessible, and ice-free walkways serving customers, employees, and emergency personnel.

• All commercial properties: $200 per violation for failure to clear sidewalks adjacent to the property frontage.
• Each day of non-compliance: Constitutes a separate violation and incurs additional $200 fines.
• Depositing snow on streets: $200 additional penalty for each instance of plowed or shoveled snow pushed onto public roadways. Larger volumes may result in further penalties and remediation orders.
• Repeat violations: Escalating enforcement, including potential operating restrictions or business license review.

• Failing to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after the end of snowfall.
• Ice-covered accessible parking spaces and access aisles not restored to safe, usable condition.
• Blocked curb ramps preventing wheelchair or mobility device access at crosswalks or entrances.
• Obstructed building entrances and emergency egresses due to snow accumulation or ice.
• Snow piles blocking accessible routes between parking areas and main building entrances.
• Depositing snow onto public streets or adjacent properties without authorization.

Important: Each separate violation (for example, a blocked entrance, uncleared parking lot, and icy sidewalk) is an independent fine. Owners or managers of multi-building commercial complexes may accumulate significant penalties if snow removal is inadequate across multiple frontages and access points following a single storm event.

Fire and Life Safety Access Requirements for Commercial Properties

The Sharon Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services require that emergency vehicle access to commercial properties is maintained at all times during winter weather. These compliance obligations extend beyond pedestrian safety, ensuring that life-saving services can reach buildings without delay during emergencies.

Sharon Fire Department
211 South Main Street, Sharon, MA 02067
Phone: (781) 784-1522
Official Website: Sharon Fire Department

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

• Fire Lane Maintenance:
  • Clear all designated fire lanes to bare pavement within commercial lots.
  • Maintain a minimum 20-foot width for emergency vehicles.
  • Remove snow piles reducing fire lane clearance below standards.
  • Keep fire lane markings and signage visible above snow.
• Fire Hydrant Access:
  • Clear a three-foot radius around all hydrants immediately after snowfall.
  • Maintain sight lines so hydrants are visible from the street.
  • Remove ice from hydrant caps and mechanisms.
  • Mark hydrants with flags or poles if likely to be buried by snow.
• Emergency Vehicle Access Standards:
  • Minimum width: 20 feet clear for fire apparatus and ambulances.
  • Vertical clearance: 13 feet 6 inches minimum for ladder trucks.
  • Turning radius: Adequate for emergency maneuvering.
  • Surface: Treated for traction to prevent delays.
  • Building proximity: Aerial ladder access within 15 feet of structures.

The Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) mandates that commercial properties maintain unobstructed emergency egresses at all times, regardless of winter weather.

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

Federal ADA Title III Compliance for Commercial Snow Removal

The Americans with Disabilities Act Title III imposes federal accessibility requirements on businesses and public accommodations. Commercial property owners are required to maintain accessible features in fully operational condition, regardless of winter weather or municipal ordinances. These obligations create dual compliance requirements, enforced separately by federal and local authorities, and carry significant liability exposure for non-compliance.

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 bare pavement, access aisles fully passable.
• Curb ramps: No snow or ice accumulation blocking access.
• Building entrances: All primary and accessible entrances must maintain barrier-free entry.
• Pedestrian routes: Cleared minimum width of 36 inches from parking to entrances.
• Loading zones: Accessible loading/unloading areas for deliveries and services.
• Outdoor amenities: Paths to ATMs, outdoor seating, and service areas kept accessible.

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

Massachusetts MAAB 521 CMR regulations require that state accessibility standards, which often exceed federal minimums, are enforced for all commercial properties. Businesses must keep all accessible features fully operational and clear of snow and ice at all times.

Commercial Parking Lot Snow Management and Operational Requirements

Commercial parking facilities in Sharon require comprehensive snow management that extends far beyond simple plowing. Property owners must ensure designated accessible parking maintenance, traffic flow management, snow storage planning, and alignment with business operating hours to guarantee safe customer and employee access during all winter weather events.

• Fire lanes and emergency access: Cleared first and maintained at all times for emergency vehicles.
• Accessible parking spaces: ADA-designated spaces and access aisles cleared immediately after fire lanes.
• Primary traffic lanes: Main circulation routes cleared to support customer access and efficient traffic flow.
• Secondary parking areas: Cleared as needed based on business capacity and operational requirements.
• Loading docks: Maintained for commercial deliveries and uninterrupted supply chain operations.

Sharon Code Enforcement Contact
Phone: (781) 784-1500 ext. 1201
Report online: Sharon 311 System or equivalent

Business Liability Protection and Premises Insurance Requirements

Sharon commercial property owners face significant premises liability exposure if inadequate snow removal contributes to slip-and-fall injuries affecting customers, employees, delivery personnel, or other business invitees. Massachusetts law, as established in Papadopoulos v. Target Corp., 457 Mass. 368 (2010), holds property owners responsible for exercising reasonable care in maintaining safe conditions, regardless of whether snow or ice is a result of natural precipitation or mechanical operations like plowing.

• General liability insurance: Minimum $1-2 million coverage to address slip-and-fall claims.
• Commercial property insurance: Protection against building and parking lot damage from plowing equipment.
• Workers’ compensation: Required for any employee injuries sustained during snow removal operations.
• Umbrella coverage: Supplemental liability protection exceeding primary limits.

Commercial Districts Throughout Sharon Requiring Specialized Service

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

Sharon Center Business District: This district encompasses Main Street retail corridors, banks, restaurants, and civic buildings. High pedestrian traffic, on-street parking, and shared public walkways require rapid snow removal, clear crosswalks, and coordination with municipal services to maintain business continuity and safe public access.

Sharon Heights Office Park: Home to several mid-size office complexes and professional service providers, this area demands early morning plowing, unobstructed fire lanes, and ample snow storage to accommodate employee arrivals and business operations without disrupting access or visibility.

Medical and Wellness Corridor (North Main Street): Medical offices, urgent care centers, and rehabilitation clinics here require continuous clearing of accessible parking, curb ramps, and walkways to ensure ADA compliance and emergency service access for patients and staff at all hours.

Industrial and Commercial Parks (South Sharon): Warehouses and light manufacturing facilities rely on timely snow removal at loading docks, broad traffic lanes for truck maneuvering, and uninterrupted access for emergency responders, often with challenging snow storage requirements due to large lot sizes.

Mixed-Use Developments (Bay Road Area): These properties combine retail, office, and residential units, necessitating integrated snow management plans that address accessible shared entrances, parking decks, and continuous pedestrian route clearing for residents and commercial tenants alike.

Neighborhood Shopping Plazas (Pond Street and Route 27): Featuring smaller retail strips and grocery stores, these areas require efficient parking lot plowing, visible accessible spaces, and attention to customer loading zones to support high turnover business activity and safe pedestrian movement.

Institutional and Educational Campuses: Schools, community centers, and places of worship across Sharon demand specialized snow removal to maintain clear assembly areas, accessible entrances, and coordinated operations during peak event schedules or emergency closures.

Historic Village District: Older commercial buildings and locally owned businesses face unique challenges due to limited snow storage, narrow sidewalks, and the need for compliance with historic preservation requirements, often necessitating careful snow relocation and protection of heritage features.