Cambridge regulates lot coverage and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) by zoning district, with Residence A limited to modest coverage and business districts allowing much higher intensity with inclusionary housing.
Cambridge Zoning uses both lot coverage percentages and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to regulate building intensity. Residence A-1 and A-2 districts typically allow FAR of 0.5 to 0.75 and lot coverage around 35 percent. Residence B, C, and C-1 districts permit FAR of 0.75 to 1.75. Business and Mixed Use districts range from 1.0 up to 4.0 or higher. FAR bonuses are available for inclusionary housing, LEED certification, and transit-oriented development under special permit. Accessory structures count toward coverage. Open space requirements complement coverage limits, mandating permeable or landscaped yard areas. Historic and floodplain overlays may further restrict buildable area.
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 lot coverage limits.
See how Cambridge's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
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