City of Cambridge to Increase Street Cleaning Violation Fines to $100 Starting September 2024

Beginning the week of September 1, 2024, the City of Cambridge will increase the fine for street cleaning violations to $100 per violation. This decision follows the recommendation by the Department of Public Works (DPW) after evaluating the 2023 Pilot Street Cleaning Program, which included a suspension of towing for vehicles that were not moved on street cleaning days.

The 2023 Pilot Program was widely advertised and focused on encouraging residents to continue moving their vehicles despite the suspension of towing. During the 2023 pilot, the number of tickets issued for street cleaning parking violations increased by an average of 93% and so far in 2024, the number of tickets issued has continued to increase. This indicates that vehicles are not being moved as required, despite a $50 fine per violation, which has severely impacted the effectiveness of the street cleaning program.

As the City approaches the fall season, a critical time when debris on the streets is at its heaviest, it is more important than ever to ensure that vehicles are moved to allow for effective street sweeping. When vehicles remain on the street, sweepers are forced to maneuver around them, limiting their ability to collect debris.

The Cambridge Street Sweeping Program, which dates to 1885, is essential for keeping our streets clean, free of leaves, rubbish, and debris, and for improving the water quality of stormwater discharged into the Charles River and Alewife Brook. The residential street sweeping program covers both sides of every residential street once per month from April through December, using mechanical brooms.

Key data and points about Cambridge’s Street Sweeping Program include:

• Debris Removal: Between 1,500 and 2,000 tons of material, including litter, debris, leaves, and sediment, are removed from Cambridge streets annually.
• Curb Access: Access to curbs is critical for effective street sweeping.
• Stormwater Pollution Reduction: Street sweeping decreases stormwater pollution by reducing the amount of suspended sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants that reach the Charles River and Alewife Brook.
• Flood Risk Reduction: Street sweeping helps reduce the risk of localized flooding by keeping storm drains clear of leaves and debris.

In time, the City of Cambridge filed a home rule petition to increase the fines associated with street cleaning, leading to the new $100 violation fee. Residents are urged to move their vehicles on street cleaning days to avoid fines and to contribute to keeping our City clean and safe.

For more information on the street cleaning schedule and where to sign up for reminders, visit CambridgeMA.Gov/StreetCleaning.