Cambridge does not impose a specific annual night cap but restricts non-owner-occupied operations entirely and requires the owner to maintain primary residence at least 9 months per year.
Unlike some Massachusetts communities that cap rental nights at 90 or 120 per year, Cambridge takes a different approach by requiring owner-occupancy as the primary compliance mechanism. The owner must occupy the unit as a primary residence for at least 9 months per year, which functionally limits the number of nights the property can be rented when the host is away or while hosting guests in the same dwelling. Multi-family owner-occupied homes may rent additional units more extensively, subject to registration and tax requirements. Violations of the primary residence rule are grounds for registration revocation.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle night caps.
See how Cambridge's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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