Cambridge requires owners to keep grass and weeds under roughly 10 inches, enforced by Inspectional Services. Neglected lots can be cited and mowed by the city at the owners expense.
Cambridge Municipal Code addresses nuisance vegetation through the property maintenance and public nuisance ordinances enforced by the Inspectional Services Department. While Cambridge is a heavily built-up urban environment with limited lawn area compared to suburban municipalities, residential and vacant properties are still required to keep grass and weed growth trimmed. In practice, grass exceeding about 10 inches in height on residential lots triggers complaints, and abandoned or vacant lots with overgrown vegetation are actively enforced. After notice and an opportunity to cure, the city can arrange cleanup and assess the cost as a lien against the property. Native plantings, pollinator gardens, and registered naturalized lawns are typically exempt, consistent with Cambridges Climate Resilience Plan and support for ecological landscaping.
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.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle grass height limits.
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