Cambridge, MA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)
Key Facts
- Sign type
- No Soliciting, No Trespassing, or No Knock
- Legal basis
- MGL c.266 s.120
- Registry
- None in Cambridge
- Permit consequence
- License Commission may revoke
- Protected speech
- Must still depart when asked
Summary
Cambridge allows residents to post No Soliciting or No Trespassing signs that legally bar commercial solicitors. Ignoring such signs can result in trespass enforcement under MGL c.266 s.120.
Section 120: Entry upon private property after being forbidden as trespass; prima facie evidence; penalties; arrest; tenants or occupants excepted
Section 120. Whoever, without right enters or remains in or upon the dwelling house, buildings, boats or improved or enclosed land, wharf, or pier of another, or enters or remains in a school bus, as defined in section 1 of chapter 90, after having been forbidden so to do by the person who has lawful control of said premises, whether directly or by notice posted thereon, or in violation of a court order pursuant to section thirty-four B of chapter two hundred and eight or section three or four of chapter two hundred and nine A, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or both such fine and imprisonment. Proof that a court has given notice of such a court order to the alleged offender shall be prima facie evidence that the notice requirement of this section has been met. A person who is found committing such trespass may be arrested by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable or police officer and kept in custody in a convenient place, not more than twenty-four hours, Sunday excepted, until a complaint can be made against him for the offence, and he be taken upon a warrant issued upon such complaint.
This section shall not apply to tenants or occupants of residential premises who, having rightfully entered said premises at the commencement of the tenancy or occupancy, remain therein after such tenancy or occupancy has been or is alleged to have been terminated. The owner or landlord of said premises may recover possession thereof only through appropriate civil proceedings.
Full Breakdown
Residents in Cambridge may post No Soliciting, No Trespassing, or No Knock signs at property entrances, and such signs carry legal weight under Massachusetts trespass law (MGL Chapter 266 Section 120). Licensed commercial solicitors, peddlers, and canvassers are required by the Cambridge License Commission to respect any posted sign and to leave the property immediately upon request. Violations may be reported to the Cambridge Police non-emergency line, and repeat offenders may lose their solicitor permit. Political, religious, and charitable canvassing is constitutionally protected but the canvasser must still leave when asked. Cambridge does not operate a centralized city no-knock registry; the posted sign at the door serves as the legal notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a No Soliciting sign actually work?
Is there a city no-knock list?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
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No-Knock Registry in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle no-knock registry.