Cambridge STRs are limited by building code occupancy based on bedrooms and square footage, and units must be the operator primary residence occupied at least 9 months per year.
Cambridge applies Massachusetts State Building Code occupancy limits to STR units, generally 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, subject to minimum square footage per occupant. Because STRs must be owner-occupied, the unit must serve as the operator primary residence for at least 9 months annually, meaning only the remaining months or portions of the home can be rented short-term when the operator is absent or hosts guests. Operators must list maximum occupancy in their registration and disclose it on listing platforms. Over-occupancy violations are enforceable under the STR ordinance and building code.
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 occupancy limits.
See how Cambridge's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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