Just cause eviction rules in Cambridge, MA — sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances — list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Massachusetts prohibits rent control under MGL c.40P, but Cambridge tenants retain strong eviction protections under MGL c.186 and c.239. Landlords must follow statutory notice and court process.
Cambridge does not have a local just-cause eviction ordinance because Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40P (the Tenant Protection Act of 1994) preempts municipalities from regulating rent or eviction grounds. However, tenants are protected by MGL Chapter 186 and Chapter 239, which require landlords to serve a proper Notice to Quit (14 days for nonpayment, 30 days or a full rental period for no-fault terminations) before filing a summary process action in Housing Court. Retaliatory evictions are barred under MGL c.239 s.2A, and discriminatory evictions are prohibited under MGL c.151B. The Cambridge Office of the Housing Liaison and the Multi-Service Center provide mediation and referrals for tenants facing displacement.
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 just cause eviction.
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