Water restrictions in Cambridge, MA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Cambridge runs its own water supply from Fresh Pond and Hobbs/Stony Brook reservoirs. The city imposes odd/even watering limits during drought and can escalate to full non-essential use bans.
Unlike most Boston-area communities that buy water from the MWRA, Cambridge maintains its own independent water supply treated at the Walter J. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility. The Cambridge Water Department imposes outdoor water use restrictions that align with MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs drought stages. In normal summers, Cambridge typically requests voluntary conservation, but during Level 2 significant or Level 3 critical drought declarations, odd/even address watering, limited watering hours (often before 9 AM and after 5 PM), and bans on non-essential uses like car washing and ornamental fountains can be imposed. The city communicates active restrictions through the Water Department at 617-349-4770. Commercial irrigation systems must use rain sensors under MA state requirements.
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 water restrictions.
See how Cambridge's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.