Cambridge property owners must maintain premises free of rodents and pests under the Sanitary Code and city ordinance, with mandatory pre-demolition and construction rodent control plans.
Cambridge enforces State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410 requiring owners to maintain dwellings free of rodents and insect infestations. The city further requires Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans for construction and demolition projects to prevent rodent displacement into neighboring properties. Property owners must eliminate harborage (debris, overgrowth), secure trash in rodent-proof containers with tight lids, and address infestations promptly. Inspectional Services investigates complaints through iReport/311. Failure to abate can result in orders to comply, fines, and in severe cases city-performed abatement with costs billed to the owner. Restaurants and food establishments face additional Board of Health inspections.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle pest control.
See how Cambridge's pest control rules stack up against other locations.
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