Boston officials will have a bigger hammer as they seek to ensure sidewalks are shoveled and snow isn't pushed onto city streets. Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday morning signed a bill that increases the maximum penalty for snow-removal violations in Boston from $300 to $1,500.

The new law clears the way for Mayor Marty Walsh and the City Council to potentially increase fines. The law raising the state cap on fines does not apply to residential buildings with six or fewer units. Under the new law, fines can increase on professionals who dump snow in roadways and for building owners who fail to clear the sidewalks in front of their properties. Lawmakers did not add an emergency preamble so the law will take effect in late March.