Parking Rules in Cambridge, MA (2026)
4 verified parking rules for Cambridge, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Driveway Rules
Cambridge's Zoning Ordinance bars on-grade open parking from a lot's required front yard setback and forces every parking surface to be graded and paved, not left as bare dirt or gravel, so runoff and dust do not spill onto streets or neighboring lots.
Cambridge Front-Yard Parking & Surfacing
Some RestrictionsCambridge Zoning Ordinance §§ 6.44.1(c), 6.45 (Supp. No. 8, Jan. 2026)
6.44.1 Setbacks for on grade open parking facilities shall be provided as follows: (c) No on grade open parking space shall be located within a required front yard setback. 6.45 Drainage, Surfacing, and Maintenance. All sections of off street parking facilities which are not landscaped according to the requirements of Subsection 6.48 shall be graded, surfaced (preferably with durable pervious p...
EV Charging
Cambridge's Zoning Ordinance treats publicly-accessible, privately-owned electric vehicle charging as a listed accessory use, permitted by right in every zoning district except the Open Space District. The Table of Use Regulations at Section 4.32.n caps installations at no more than two charging systems per lot, per footnote 63, regardless of lot size or district.
Cambridge EV Charging Station Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsCambridge Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.32.n & footnote 63 (definition at Art. 2.000), Supp. No. 8
Publicly-accessible, Privately-owned Electric Vehicle Charging. An electric vehicle charging system and its attendant off-street parking space that is made available from time-to-time for use by other individuals in need of an electric vehicle charging system for personal use. ... 63. Provided, however, that no more than two (2) Publicly-accessible, Privately-owned Electric Vehicle Charging sys...
Abandoned Vehicles
Cambridge Code Section 10.08.010 bars leaving a car, truck or motorcycle on any public or private way, or on any property, for more than 72 hours without the owner's or lessee's permission. Anyone who wants to junk a vehicle must contract with a private disposal agency, and violators are prosecuted under state law.
Cambridge 72-Hour Abandoned Vehicle Rule
Some RestrictionsCambridge, MA Code of Ordinances §§ 10.08.010, 10.08.020
No person shall abandon an automobile, truck, motorcycle or other motor vehicle for more than seventy-two hours upon a public or private way or on any property without the permission of the owner or lessee of the property. Any person who wishes to junk such a vehicle must contract with a private disposal agency. ... Any person who violates this chapter shall be prosecuted in accordance with Mas...
Loading Zones
Cambridge's Zoning Ordinance requires enclosed loading bays near residential districts for night-operating businesses and bars trucks of 2.5 tons or more from most city streets between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless they are on a designated truck route or making a local delivery.
Cambridge Loading Bay & Truck Curfew Rules
Some RestrictionsCambridge Zoning Ordinance §§ 6.93, 6.96 (Supp. No. 8, Jan. 2026)
6.93 Off street loading bays may be enclosed in a structure and must be so enclosed if located within fifty (50) feet of a Residence District where the use involves regular night operation, such as that of a bakery, restaurant, hotel, bottling plant, or similar uses. Any lighting provided shall be install in a manner that will prevent direct light from shining onto any street or adjacent proper...