Tiny home rules in Cambridge, MA — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Tiny homes on foundations are allowed as ADUs in Cambridge under MGL c.40A s.3A. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as recreational vehicles and cannot be used as permanent dwellings under the MA State Building Code.
Cambridge allows tiny homes on permanent foundations to be used as dwellings provided they meet the Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR and the Cambridge zoning ordinance. Under the 2024 Affordable Homes Act and MGL c.40A s.3A, a compliant tiny home up to 900 square feet can often qualify as a by-right ADU on a single-family lot. The home must have code-compliant ceiling heights, egress windows, heating, insulation, and smoke and CO detection. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are classified as recreational vehicles under state building code and are not permitted as permanent dwellings in Cambridge. Parking a THOW in a driveway for long-term occupancy is prohibited by both zoning and public health regulations. ANSI-certified park-model units face similar restrictions unless placed in a permitted campground, which Cambridge does not contain.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge enforces numerical decibel limits: 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at residential receptors, with a 5 dBA penalty for tonal or impulsive sounds.
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge treats persistent barking as a noise violation under Chapter 8.16 and an animal nuisance under Chapter 6.04; owners of chronically barking dogs fac...
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge banned gas-powered leaf blowers in 2024, requiring all landscapers and residents to switch to electric models, with time and decibel restrictions r...
Cambridge, MA
Outdoor music events in Cambridge require a one-day entertainment license from the License Commission, with end times typically capped at 10 PM on weeknights...
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge enforces strict industrial and commercial noise limits: 60 dB days and 50 dB nights at residential property lines, aligned with MassDEP Policy 90-001.
Cambridge, MA
Cambridge reserves designated EV charging station spaces for actively charging electric vehicles only, and new large developments must provide EV-ready parki...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle tiny homes.
See how Cambridge's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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