Short-Term Rentals in Cambridge, MA (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Cambridge, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Cambridge requires all short-term rentals to be owner-occupied and registered with the city under the 2018 STR ordinance, with inspections and annual renewal mandatory.
Cambridge STR Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
Cambridge short-term rental operators are responsible for guest noise and must comply with the city noise ordinance, which sets quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays.
Cambridge STR Noise Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Cambridge STRs pay a combined lodging tax of approximately 14.95%, including 5.7% state, 6% local, and 3% community impact fee on professionally managed units.
Cambridge STR Taxes and Fees
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
Cambridge STR guests cannot obtain resident parking permits, and operators must disclose parking limitations and off-street availability as part of registration.
Cambridge STR Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Cambridge STRs are limited by building code occupancy based on bedrooms and square footage, and units must be the operator primary residence occupied at least 9 months per year.
Cambridge STR Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
Massachusetts law requires STR operators to carry at least 1 million dollars in liability insurance covering each rental, either directly or through the hosting platform.
Cambridge STR Insurance Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsMGL Chapter 64G, Section 14
Section 14: Regulation of operators by cities or towns Section 14. A city or town, by ordinance or by-law, may regulate operators registered pursuant to section 67 of chapter 62C and impose penalties for the violation of such an ordinance or by-law. A city or town, by ordinance or by-law, may: (i) regulate the existence or location of operators under this section within the city or town, incl...
Night Caps
Cambridge does not impose a specific annual night cap but restricts non-owner-occupied operations entirely and requires the owner to maintain primary residence at least 9 months per year.
Cambridge STR Night Caps
Heavy RestrictionsRegistration Rules
Cambridge requires annual STR registration with Inspectional Services, including proof of owner-occupancy, insurance, safety inspection, and payment of the registration fee.
Cambridge STR Registration Rules
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cambridge city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Middlesex County →