Owners of vacant lots in Cambridge must keep them free of trash and overgrown vegetation, and unsecured vacant buildings must be registered with Inspectional Services and boarded to code.
Under Cambridge property maintenance rules and Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410, owners of vacant lots and vacant buildings are responsible for keeping properties free of trash, debris, abandoned vehicles, and overgrown vegetation. Weeds must be kept below 10 inches, fences must remain intact, and any open structure must be secured against entry. Cambridge requires vacant and abandoned buildings to be registered with the Inspectional Services Department under the city Problem Properties ordinance, with an annual fee and proof of liability insurance. Boarding must follow the HUD-approved specifications and any temporary boarding must be replaced within 180 days with permanent repair or redevelopment plans.
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 vacant lot maintenance.
See how Cambridge's vacant lot maintenance rules stack up against other locations.
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