City of Cambridge to Implement New Citywide Street Cleaning Pilot Program

Beginning April 3, 2023, the City of Cambridge will implement a one-year street cleaning pilot program designed to evaluate the effectiveness of its street cleaning operations, while seeking to reduce the impacts of towing on residents. During this pilot program, towing associated with street cleaning will not be enforced, though residents should continue to move their vehicles accordingly, following the posted street cleaning schedule. Additionally, parking violations issued for street cleaning will be raised from $30 to $50.

Cambridge residents are encouraged to sign up to receive email or text reminders about their street cleaning schedule, view and download their complete street cleaning schedule for the year, or import the schedule to their digital calendar at CambridgeMA.Gov/StreetCleaning.

"The city's street sweeping program dates back to 1885 when annual cleaning was performed manually," said John Nardone, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Works. "Cambridge takes pride in our high-quality street cleaning aimed at improving the water quality of storm water that is discharged to the Charles River and Alewife Brook. By sweeping up sand and other debris, catch basins are kept clean and able to function properly."

We ask for your help in continuing to collect leaves from the sidewalk and the curb in front of your home or business. By collecting leaves for yard waste collection, you're helping to prevent street flooding, reduce stormwater pollution impacts, and reduce our impact on the climate.

The City of Cambridge will evaluate this program's effectiveness throughout the pilot year and encourages residents to provide feedback throughout the pilot by filling out a survey at Camb.ma/streetcleaning2023.