Cambridge, MA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Inspectional Services Department
- Standard reinspection window
- 5 days after deadline
- Emergency reinspection window
- 24 hours after deadline
- Legal basis
- 105 CMR 410 (State Sanitary Code)
- Notice after reinspection
- Served within 5 days
- Governing chapter
- Cambridge Municipal Code Ch. 8.60
Summary
Cambridge's Inspectional Services Department must physically reinspect a rental unit after ordering repairs under the State Sanitary Code: within five days for standard violations, and within twenty-four hours when the condition threatens health or safety. The reinspection decides whether a fine attaches under the city's administrative citation program.
The Inspectional Services Department shall, within five days after the dates for compliance specified in an order to repair issued pursuant to 105 CMR 410.830, make an on-site inspection to determine whether there has been compliance with its order. This inspection shall be made within twenty-four hours of the dates for compliance specified in an order, however, if one or more of the violations or conditions cited in the order to repair are determined to be conditions which may endanger the health or safety, and well-being of the occupant(s) as defined in 105 CMR 410.750.
Full Breakdown
Cambridge Municipal Code (General Code) Chapter 8.60 makes the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) the legally designated health authority for the City, authorized by Chapter 84 of the Acts and Resolves of 1983, to enforce the State Sanitary Code through the inspection of rental units and mechanisms to ensure compliance with repair orders (§ 8.60.020(D)). Once ISD issues an order to make repairs and an administrative citation, § 8.60.040(B) requires ISD to make an on-site inspection within five days after the compliance date set in the order, and within twenty-four hours of that date if the cited conditions may endanger the health, safety or well-being of an occupant under 105 CMR 410.750.
If the reinspection shows the violations fixed, ISD notes that on the citation, files it, and must serve copies on the same owner, occupants and mortgagee who received the original citation within five days of the reinspection (§ 8.60.040(C)-(D)). If violations remain, ISD notes the failure and a fine is assessed under § 8.60.060, with notice again served within five days of the assessment (§ 8.60.040(E)-(F)). An owner who wants more time can request a hearing for an extension, but must show two independent written repair estimates, and the reinspection cycle then restarts against the new deadline (§ 8.60.050(A)-(C)). The Commissioner of Inspectional Services also promulgates regulations implementing these inspection procedures (§ 8.60.110).
Violations & Fines
Missing the reinspection-triggered repair deadline results in a fine under § 8.60.060 and repeated notice to the owner, occupants and mortgagee. ISD's five-day (or twenty-four-hour) reinspection window is mandatory, not discretionary, under § 8.60.040(B); a late or skipped reinspection does not excuse an owner from the underlying repair order, and further inspections continue until compliance is documented and filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast must Cambridge reinspect a rental unit after a repair order?
What happens after the reinspection?
Who is legally responsible for running Cambridge's rental inspection program?
Can a landlord delay the reinspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
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Inspection Programs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle inspection programs.