Short-term rentals in Cambridge, MA

One rule applies, with its citation below.

Research, not legal advice

These summaries are compiled from ordinance text and public sources and are dated at the point they were last checked. Rules change between checks — Newark replaced its whole registration regime in a single month — so confirm anything you are about to underwrite against the primary source or the municipal office named in the citation.

Short-term rentals require inspection and a five-year certificate

Cambridgehigh confidence

Verified on 2026-08-22.

Cambridge permits only operator-occupied and qualifying owner-adjacent short-term rentals; Inspectional Services must inspect the unit before issuing or renewing its registration certificate.

The operator may register no more than one operator-occupied unit and one qualifying owner-adjacent unit. Verify the current ordinance before underwriting because Cambridge was considering amendments in 2026; this entry uses the adopted ordinance, not a pending petition.

Exemptions

Units subject to inclusionary, below-market-rate, or other income restrictions are ineligible.

Certificate term: Five years, or until the operator or owner changes

In effect since 2018-04-01.

Sources

City of Cambridge — Current Zoning Ordinance — Cambridge Zoning Ordinance §§ 4.60–4.68
Cambridge Inspectional Services — Housing

Every rule for Cambridge, MA