Building Setbacks & Zoning in Cambridge, MA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Cambridge, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Cambridge Zoning Ordinance establishes front, side, and rear yard setbacks that vary by district, with dense urban districts allowing zero-lot-line development and Residence districts requiring larger yards.
Cambridge Zoning Setback Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsStructure Height Limits
Cambridge limits building heights by zoning district, with Residence A capped around 35 feet and Business and mixed-use districts allowing taller buildings up to several stories with review.
Cambridge Building Height Limits
Heavy RestrictionsLot Coverage Limits
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 Lot Coverage and FAR Limits
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cambridge city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Middlesex County →