Cambridge requires stormwater management plans for construction disturbing one acre or more and implements strict post-construction standards to reduce flooding and protect the Charles River and Alewife watershed.
Cambridge operates under the EPA MS4 Phase II stormwater permit and has adopted a local Stormwater Management Ordinance. Development or redevelopment disturbing one acre or more (or smaller sites in special overlay areas) must submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and post-construction stormwater plan. Requirements include treatment for the first inch of runoff, infiltration where feasible, and peak flow controls. Low Impact Development (LID) techniques such as bioretention, permeable pavement, and green roofs are encouraged and sometimes required. The city imposes a stormwater utility fee on impervious surface. Connections to the MS4 must not include illicit discharges; only stormwater is permitted in storm drains.
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.
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