Facts from public sources, not quotes. Where these numbers come from
Driveways, sidewalks, roofs, condo lots and commercial lots cleared and treated all winter. Lock in your spot on a local crew's route before the first snow, or request a storm-day visit.
Get a free quote How it worksFederal climate normals for Portland International Jetport (NOAA, 1991–2020) put the average winter at 68.7 inches of snow, most of it in January (18.6 inches), with February at 16.6, December at 14.6 and March at 13.6. About 16.4 days a year bring an inch or more, and the normal January low is 15.6°F.
Our analysis of NOAA daily records puts the median first measurable snow at the Jetport on November 26, and counts about 80 freeze-thaw days a winter, November through March, when the high climbs above freezing and the low drops below it. That's the melt-and-refreeze cycle that turns walks and steps into ice.
The best time to line up snow removal is before you need it. Routes fill up in the fall, and the people who call after the first big storm wait in line.
Portland Maine Snow Pros connects homeowners, condo associations and businesses in Portland, South Portland, Westbrook and Scarborough with a local snow and landscape crew that plows, shovels, rakes roofs and salts all winter. Every number on this site links to its public source, and we tell you what we don't know.
A seasonal residential contract puts your driveway on a route. When snow reaches the trigger depth in your contract, the crew comes without a phone call. Most plans cover the driveway and the front walk, and many add the steps, the public sidewalk and a pass of ice melt or sand.
The sidewalk deadline is short. Portland's code (Sec. 25-173) gives homes with 1 to 4 units 18 hours after the snow stops, or after the city's last clearing of the street next to them, whichever is later, to clear a 4-foot path. Ice must be removed, or sanded and the sand reapplied. Fines run $75, $125 and $250 in a season, and the city may clear the walk and bill its cost plus 10%.
Plows also refill driveway ends. The Town of Falmouth explains that widening plows fill cleared driveway openings after storms, and suggests shoveling a "pocket" beside the driveway to limit it. Ask whether your plan includes a return trip.
If you clear your own walk between visits, a shovel with a spring-assist handle or a wide snow pusher saves your back, and a pet-safe ice melt is kinder to paws on the front step.
Condo associations and apartment owners need more than a driveway service. A contract can cover the lot and drive lanes, walks and stairs, mailboxes, dumpsters and the public sidewalk along the frontage, with clear rules for where the snow is piled.
Where the snow goes matters. In Portland, snow can't be pushed onto public sidewalks or curb ramps. In South Portland, Sec. 23-12 bans moving private snow onto a public street or sidewalk, or across the street, with fines up to $500, $750 and $1,000, and the city says the owner is liable for their contractor's actions. That's a good reason to hire an insured, rules-aware crew.
A good proposal spells out the trigger depth, how fast walks are done after the snow stops, what salting or sanding is included, and how extra storms are billed.
The typical machine for a big lot is a wheel loader with a snow pusher box, the kind of rig that moves a whole lane of snow in one pass and stacks it at the edge of the lot (see a 102-inch skid steer pusher box in the Ice Fighter shop). It's the right tool for retail plazas, office and industrial parks, medical buildings, campuses and apartment lots where cars and customers need clear lanes before the doors open.
Portland's rules are strict for businesses: a 4-foot sidewalk path within 12 hours after the snow stops, kept clear of snow the plows push back later, with fines of $250, $500 and $1,000. And when snow or ice on a commercial building threatens to fall onto streets or sidewalks, Sec. 25-174 says the owner must remove it. Put the walks and the roof in the contract.
As an estimate, a Maine and New Hampshire contractor's pricing page lists a small commercial lot at $75 to $200 a visit or $750 to $3,000 and up a season. Every commercial price is set after a walk-through.
Pickups with plows clear smaller lots overnight, then come back for the drive lanes and entrances during long storms. Ask how the crew handles cars parked overnight.
When a nor'easter lands, large sites need several machines working together: skid steers with pusher boxes, loaders and plow pickups.
Storefront walks, ramps and entrances are cleared by hand crews with blowers and shovels to meet the 12-hour rule, then treated so they don't refreeze.
Plowing moves the snow. Salting and sanding deal with what's left. Contractors spread material from trucks with tailgate spreaders on lots, and from walk-behind or ATV spreaders on sidewalks and paths.
Here the trouble is the freeze-thaw cycle: about 80 days a winter at the Jetport (our analysis of NOAA data), plus about 5 freezing-rain days a season (our count from Jetport records). Portland's code lets owners remove ice or sand it and reapply, so a plan with repeat treatments is the realistic one. As an estimate, the same Maine and New Hampshire pricing page lists salting or sanding at $20 to $75 an application.
Portland residents can take up to two 5-gallon pails of sand from the city's Payson Park sand and salt pile; contractors can't. The Ice Fighter shop lists truck tailgate spreaders, a receiver-mount spreader for an ATV or UTV, a 100 lb walk-behind spreader and pallets of ice melt.
Not on a contract yet? Storm-day calls happen. As an estimate, ProMatcher's Portland, Maine page puts a driveway and sidewalk plow visit at $47.19 on average ($41.94 to $52.43, from a 2018 report) and snow blowing at $86 a visit on average. These are estimates, not quotes.
Be ready to wait during a big storm, because contract customers come first. That's the strongest argument for signing up in the fall.
Front steps and walkways freeze first, and shaded ones refreeze every night. A visit can include clearing and a pass of ice melt or sand.
MEMA says 1 inch of ice weighs as much as a foot of fresh snow. From the ground, a roof rake can clear the edge; anything higher is a job for a pro.
A one-time plow visit can clear the driveway and the snow the street plow pushes back into the end of it.
Each city and town has its own rules. Here's a short version from each one's own code or page. Check the source before you rely on it.
| Place | Sidewalks | Where snow can go | Winter parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | Businesses: 4-ft path within 12 hours after snow stops. Homes (1–4 units): 18 hours after snow stops or the city's last street clearing, whichever is later. Remove ice or sand and reapply. Fines $75–$250 homes, $250–$1,000 businesses (Sec. 25-173) | Not onto public sidewalks or curb ramps | Parking bans 10 p.m.–6 a.m. when called (citywide, peninsula or Yellow Zone): $130 ticket, $135 tow |
| South Portland | The city clears its sidewalks after streets, school routes first | No private snow onto a public street or sidewalk, or across the street (Sec. 23-12): fines up to $500 / $750 / $1,000; the owner is liable for the contractor | No overnight parking on any city street, midnight–6 a.m., Dec. 1–Apr. 1 |
| Falmouth | Not covered here; check with the town | Not covered here; check with the town | No overnight parking on town streets, midnight–6 a.m., Nov. 15–Apr. 15, and no parking that interferes with plowing |
Sources: City of Portland Code, City of Portland, City of Portland, City of South Portland, City of South Portland, Town of Falmouth. Westbrook, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Gorham and Windham rules are not covered yet. Full source list.
Before you head out in a storm, check the official sources.
Maine road conditions are on New England 511 at newengland511.org, which also covers New Hampshire and Vermont.
The National Weather Service office in Gray forecasts for Portland. Check weather.gov/gyx for forecasts, watches and warnings.
Called as needed, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sign up for alerts through the city and use one of the 28 on-street ban lots or a garage.
South Portland: no overnight street parking midnight–6 a.m., Dec. 1–Apr. 1. Falmouth: midnight–6 a.m., Nov. 15–Apr. 15.
Portland Public Works dispatch is staffed 24 hours in winter at 207-874-8493.
The National Weather Service keeps a nor'easter safety page with what to do before, during and after the storm.
MEMA says flat and low-pitched roofs are most at risk, and old plus new snow can reach about 60 pounds per square foot. Rake from the ground after big storms.
With about 80 freeze-thaw days a winter (our analysis), keep sand and ice melt by the door. Portland's code lets you sand ice and reapply.
MEMA says a generator in a basement or garage could increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning up to 300-fold. Keep it outdoors, 15 feet or more from windows and doors.
Snow work and landscaping go together. The snow and ice trade group SIMA reports 88,200 snow and ice businesses in the U.S., and more than half of them are lawn and landscape companies. The average operator earns 37% of its revenue from snow, and about 4 in 5 are sole proprietors, which means you are usually dealing with a local owner, not a national chain.
A crew that mows your property in July already knows where the curbs, sprinkler heads and flower beds are when they're buried under snow. When the snow is gone, the same crew can handle spring cleanup and repair turf damaged by plows or salt.
It's also why customers stay. SIMA reports snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time from one year to the next.
Treat these as estimates, not quotes. ProMatcher's Portland, Maine page puts a driveway and sidewalk plow visit at $47.19 on average ($41.94 to $52.43), from a 2018 report, and snow blowing at $86 a visit on average ($57 to $115). A Maine and New Hampshire contractor's pricing page lists $30 to $70 a driveway visit and $300 to $1,000 for a residential seasonal contract. A local crew quotes your property for free.
Portland's code (Sec. 25-173) gives businesses 12 hours after the snow stops to clear a 4-foot path, kept clear of snow the plows push back later. Homes with 1 to 4 units get 18 hours after the snow stops or after the city's last clearing of the street next to them, whichever is later. Ice has to be removed, or sanded and the sand reapplied. The snow season runs November 1 to April 30, and enforcement is complaint-based through Portland 311.
For homes, $75 for the first offense in a season, $125 for the second and $250 after that. For businesses, $250, $500 and $1,000. The city may also clear the walk and bill the owner its cost plus 10%.
No. South Portland's Sec. 23-12 bans moving private snow onto a public street or sidewalk, or across the street. Fines run up to $500, $750 and $1,000, or waiver fees of $150, $250 and $450, and the city says the owner is liable for their contractor's actions. In Portland, snow can't be pushed onto public sidewalks or curb ramps.
Portland calls parking bans as needed, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. They come in three kinds: citywide, peninsula and Yellow Zone (downtown). A ticket is $130 (reduced to $40 if the car is towed), the tow is $135, and special equipment for EVs or AWD adds $80. Cars can use 28 on-street ban lots plus garages. South Portland bans overnight parking on every city street from midnight to 6 a.m., December 1 to April 1, and Falmouth from midnight to 6 a.m., November 15 to April 15.
After big storms, yes, from the ground. The Maine Emergency Management Agency says flat and low-pitched roofs are at the greatest risk of buckling. It says 10 to 12 inches of fresh snow weighs about 5 pounds per square foot, 3 to 5 inches of old, packed snow weighs the same, 1 inch of ice equals a foot of fresh snow, and two feet of old snow plus two feet of new can reach about 60 pounds per square foot, beyond what most roofs are built for. MEMA also says to consider hiring professionals.
In Portland, when snow or ice on a building poses the threat of falling onto streets or sidewalks, Sec. 25-174 says the commercial owner must remove it.
Portland's Winter Operations page says the city clears only its mapped city sidewalks. Owners still owe the 4-foot path under Sec. 25-173.
In South Portland, the city says the property owner is liable for their contractor's actions, with fines up to $500, $750 and $1,000.
Portland's code says ice must be removed, or sanded and the sand reapplied. With about 80 freeze-thaw days a winter at the Jetport (our analysis of NOAA data), one pass rarely lasts.
MEMA says 1 inch of ice weighs as much as a foot of fresh snow, and old plus new snow can exceed what most roofs are built to carry. Rake from the ground, or hire a pro.
Plenty of people pair a contract for the driveway with a little work of their own between visits. For the roof edge, a 30 ft roof rake with a slide or a 20 ft roof rake lets you work from the ground. For long driveways and heavy, wet snow, a two-stage blower like the Husqvarna ST224 or the battery-powered EGO 24-inch two-stage handles it. A heated walkway mat keeps one path clear without salt.
A portable inverter generator such as the AIVOLT 4,200W can keep a fridge, a sump pump and the furnace going in an outage. MEMA's rule: outdoors only, at least 15 feet from windows and doors.
See every pick in the Ice Fighter shop, or let a crew do the heavy lifting.
Most contracts start at a set snow depth. Ask what it is, and whether freezing rain or a refreeze gets a salting or sanding visit.
Portland gives businesses 12 hours and homes 18 hours for a 4-foot sidewalk path. Make sure the crew’s timing beats that.
A seasonal contract may not cover the roof. Ask, and get roof raking priced before a big storm.
Not onto public sidewalks, curb ramps or the street. In South Portland, the owner is liable for the contractor.
Ask for proof of liability insurance, especially for condo and commercial work where slip-and-fall risk is high.
Stake curbs, beds, sprinkler heads and low walls before the ground freezes so blades don’t chew them up.
Tell us what needs clearing, your ZIP code and anything that helps: driveway length, sidewalks, steps, a driveway, the public sidewalk, steps, a roof, a condo or apartment lot, a parking lot or a business entrance. Your request goes to a local snow and ice crew serving Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Scarborough and nearby towns, and they contact you directly with questions and a price.
No cost and no obligation to ask. Seasonal contracts fill up before the first snow, so fall is the best time to ask.
Island addresses (Peaks, Cliff and the other Casco Bay islands) are welcome, but trucks can’t reach them, so crews may decline.
Before you sign, ask for proof of insurance, what snow depth triggers a visit, whether sidewalks and salting are included, and how storm-day calls are billed.
