Cambridge requires fences to be structurally sound, maintained, and comply with zoning setbacks; the finished side conventionally faces neighbors and historic districts have additional design review.
Cambridge fence requirements combine zoning, building code, and historic preservation rules. Structurally, fences must be built to withstand wind loads per 780 CMR and set on posts installed below the frost line (typically 48 inches). The finished or good side traditionally faces outward toward the neighbor or street, though this is custom rather than a codified requirement. Fences must be maintained in safe condition; leaning, broken, or rotting fences can be cited as property maintenance violations under Chapter 8.20 of the Municipal Code. Within the 9 Cambridge local historic districts (including Old Cambridge, Mid Cambridge, Avon Hill, and others), all fence designs require review and approval by the Cambridge Historical Commission before a building permit is issued. Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones. Electric fences are prohibited except for livestock, which are themselves banned in most zones.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle fence requirements.
See how Cambridge's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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