Ordinances
Changes to the Municipal Code, from first reading to passage.
A year's count is what the record holds, and the earliest years hold only what could be recovered. Business before 2016 lives mostly in the recovered record.
2026 (8 ordinances)
- Ordinance2026 · #8A. A Zoning Petition has been received from Doug Brown to amend the current Article(s) and/or section(s) numbered and entitled Articles 2, 5, 6, 11 and 19 height, setback, parking, open space and design review requirements
- Ordinance2026 · #7Zero Waste Plan Ordinance Amendment. ELIGIBLE
- Ordinance2026 · #6Cambrdige Street Active Use Zoning petition
- Ordinance2026 · #5Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning petition
- Ordinance2026 · #4Chapter 2.127 Community Benefits Advisory Committee Ordinance
- Ordinance2026 · #3Chapter 2.129 Welcoming Community Ordinance
- Ordinance2026 · #2The amend the Zoning Map and Articles,, and of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED DECEMBER 22, 2025 TABLED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 22, 2025
- Ordinance2026 · #1AMEND SECTION 4.50 OF THE CAMBRIDGE ZONING ORDINANCE AS FOLLOWS WITH THE INTENT OF PERMITTING THE USE OF LAND FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES AS-OF-RIGHT IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS: RELIGIOUS PURPOSES; EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ON LAND OWNED OR LEASED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OR ANY OF ITS AGENCIES, SUBDIVISIONS OR BODIES POLITIC OR BY A RELIGIOUS SECT OR DENOMINATION, OR BY A NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION; AND FOR A CHILD CARE CENTER, SCHOOL-AGED CHILD CARE PROGRAM, FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, OR LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1A OF CHAPTER 15D OF MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS. PASS TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2026
2025 (17 ordinances)
December (2)
- Ordinance2025 · #17The amend the Zoning Map and Articles,, and of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED DECEMBER 22, 2025 TABLED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 22, 2025
- Ordinance2025 · #16The amend the Zoning Map and Articles,,,,,, and of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Massachusetts Avenue corridor
October (2)
June (4)
- Ordinance2025 · #13The Chapter Welcoming Community. PASSED TO SECOND IN COUNCIL JUNE 30, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED JULY 21, 2025
- Ordinance2025 · #12An Ordinance has been received from Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk, relative the Mushla Marasao et al Zoning petition in regard to Article 5.28.21, 8.22.1, 8.22.2, Tbl 5.1
- Ordinance2025 · #11The Fresh Pond Golf Course Revolving Fund Amendments to Section – Authorized Revolving Funds. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JUNE 9, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED JUNE 30, 2025
- Ordinance2025 · #10The East Cambridge Community Enhancement Overlay District (“ECCE Overlay District”), which is governed by the regulations and procedures specified in this Section. It is the intent of this Section that these regulations will apply to land within the ECCE Overlay District. PASSED TO SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JUNE 9, 2025
March (6)
- Ordinance2025 · #9The amend Articles and of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. PASSED TO A SECOND READING ON COUNCIL MAY 12, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED JUNE 2, 2025
- Ordinance2025 · #8The Cambridge Municipal Code, Water System Regulations and Chapter, Water Reservoirs
- Ordinance2025 · #7The amend certain subsections of the Affordable Housing Overlay, Section of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MAY 5, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED MAY 26, 2025
- Ordinance2025 · #6The Zoning Petition to remove the repackaging prohibition as a City Council Zoning Petition. PASSED TO SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MAY 19, 2025. ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED JUNE 9, 2025
- Ordinance2025 · #5The Chapter CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING
- Ordinance2025 · #4The Chapter - City Clerk Department, Section entitled "Fee Schedule"
January (3)
2024 (9 ordinances)
- Ordinance2024 · #9The ARTICLE DEFINITIONS
- Ordinance2024 · #8The proposed amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance to extend the deadline associated with the completion of those sections of the ordinance that are required to be completed by May 1, 2026
- Ordinance2024 · #7The Commercial Parking Space Permits Municipal Ordinance. REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE IN COUNCIL OCTOBER 21, 2024. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 2, 2024
- Ordinance2024 · #6The Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Municipal Ordinance. REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE IN COUNCIL OCTOBER 21, 2024 PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 2, 2024
- Ordinance2024 · #5The Flexible Parking Corridor Zoning Petition. ADOPTED AS A CITY COUNCIL ZONING PETITION AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD IN COUNCIL OCTOBER 21, 2024. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 2, 2024
- Ordinance2024 · #4The Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge be amended in Chapter entitled “Permitting preferences for priority applicants”
- Ordinance2024 · #3The Tenants Rights.2 Notice by the City, City may publicize and provide information at events/programs about the requirements of
- Ordinance2024 · #2The proposed: Zoning Petition to amend Articles,,,,,,,,, and of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JUNE 10, 2024 TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JUNE 24, 2024 EXPIRES AUGUST 20, 2024
- Ordinance2024 · #1The amending Section Authorized Revolving Funds
2023 (12 ordinances)
- Ordinance2023 · #12The BEUDO the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge be amended in Chapter entitled “Emission Reduction Requirements"
- Ordinance2023 · #11The Chapter - American Freedmen Commission PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL NOVEMBER 20, 2023
- Ordinance2023 · #10The Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge be amended in Chapter, Leaf Blowers. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL NOVEMBER 6, 2023
- Ordinance2023 · #9The a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend Articles,,, and of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of allowing henkeeping as a permitted accessory use to principal residential (excluding transient accommodations as defined in Section.i), religious, and educational uses; with limitations and subject to regulation and permitting by the Cambridge Public Health Department
- Ordinance2023 · #8The enacted is to protect the human rights of all the residents of the City Protect Family Inclusion and Relationship Diversity PASSED TO A SECOND READING OCTOBER 2 2023
- Ordinance2023 · #7The Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) amendments. (Proposed Ordinance #2023-7)
- Ordinance2023 · #6The proposed changes to Cannabis Business Permitting Proposed Ordinance 2023-6. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL OCTOBER 16, 2023
- Ordinance2023 · #5The Alewife Overlay District: Quadrangle (AOD-Q) Zoning Petition and Design Guidelines. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL AUGUST 7, 2023
- Ordinance2023 · #4The amending Article and Article of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge
- Ordinance2023 · #3The Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration (Ordinance 2023-3). PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED BY SUBSTITUTION IN COUNCIL JUNE 26, 2023
- Ordinance2023 · #2The amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge regarding EV and car share Zoning change
- Ordinance2023 · #1The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge be amended on a Zoning Petition by Michael Monestime, et al., to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge by creating new footnotes in the Table of Permitted Uses in Section for Outdoor Retail or Consumer Service Establishment, not otherwise defined and Outdoor Entertainment and Recreation Facility” in the Business B, B-1 and B-2 column which read, “For the Central Square Overlay see section (5)” and “For the Central Square Overlay see section (6)”; and by amending Section of the Central Square Overlay District to allow Outdoor Retail or Consumer Service Establishment, not otherwise defined by Special Permit from the Planning Board, with associated approval criteria, and to permit Outdoor Entertainment and Recreation Facility as-of-right within the Business B District of the Central Square Overlay District. (Ordinance #2023-1) PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL APRIL 24, 2023 TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER MAY 15, 2023 EXPIRES ON JULY 12, 2023
2022 (10 ordinances)
- Ordinance2022 · #23The Ordinance #2022-23 Removing the Limit on BZA Compensation. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JANUARY 9, 2023 TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 30, 2023 EXPIRES ON MARCH 14, 2023
- Ordinance2022 · #21The a Zoning Petition from Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BA-5 Zoning District Petition (Ordinance #2022-21)
- Ordinance2022 · #20The Emissions Accounting Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2022-20) PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 19, 2022 TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 9, 2023 EXPIRES ON MARCH 6, 2023 ORDINANCE AMENDED IN COUNCIL FEBRUARY 27, 2023
- Ordinance2022 · #18The Reevaluation of Housing Contribution Rate, Incentive Zoning Petition, Section (d) of Article entitled SPECIAL REGULATIONS, Ordinance #2022-18, as amended. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL OCTOBER 31, 2022 TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 21, 2022
- Ordinance2022 · #17The Fur Sales Ban Ordinance #2022-17
- Ordinance2022 · #16The Banning Limited Services Pregnancy Centers - Ordinance #2022-16 PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 19, 2022 TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 9, 2023
- Ordinance2022 · #11ORD 2022 # 11 : Amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinance, entitled “Historical Buildings and Landmarks.” (Ordinance #2022-11)
- Ordinance2022 · #9The create a new Section Flood Resilience Standards
- Ordinance2022 · #6The Ordinance # 2022-6 Article III Green Jobs Definitions. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL FEBRUARY 27, 2023 TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER MARCH 20, 2023. ORDAINED IN COUNCIL MARCH 20, 2023
- Ordinance2022 · #2The Ordinance 2022-2 Chapter entitled “City Council”
2021 (1 ordinances)
- Ordinance2021 · #26Ordinance entitled “Building Energy Use,” Chapter 8.67 of the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure and Emission Reductions BEUDO (Ordinance 2021-26)
2017 (13 ordinances)
December (1)
- Ordinance2017 · #13An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge on Innovation Office Space in PUD-3A and PUD-4C Zoning Districts
October (2)
- Ordinance2017 · #12An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge on Beekeeping
- Ordinance2017 · #11An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge by adding a new Section 13.90 to Article 13.000 and amend the Zoning Map to add new PUD-7 District
June (3)
- Ordinance2017 · #10An amendment to the Municipal Code in Title 6 entitled “Animals” to insert a new Chapter 6.20 entitled “Restrictions on the sale of animals in Pet Shops.”
- Ordinance2017 · #9An amendment to the Municipal Code Ordinance that Title 8 entitled “Health and Safety” be amended by adding a new Chapter 8.69 entitled “Running Bamboo Ordinance.”
- Ordinance2017 · #8An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge to create a new Chapter 4.60 - to regulate Short-Term Rentals (STR)
April (1)
- Ordinance2017 · #7An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge in Article 8.000 entitled "Nonconformity" by deleting Section 8.23 in its entirety and substitute a new Section 8.23
March (3)
- Ordinance2017 · #6An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge in Inclusionary Housing, including the insertion of new definitions in Article 2.000 and the substitution of revised zoning text for the current text to Sections 11.200 through 11.206
- Ordinance2017 · #5An amendment to the Municipal Code Ordinance that Title 8 entitled "Health and Safety be amended in Chapter 8.12.010 entitled “Self-service station regulations
- Ordinance2017 · #4An amendment to the Municipal Code Ordinance that Title 8 entitled “Health and Safety” be amended in Chapter 8.28 entitled “Restriction on Youth Access to obacco Products and in Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places” by amending 8.28.050 entitled “ Definitions for Prohibition of Smoking in Workplaces” by adding a new definition
February (1)
- Ordinance2017 · #3An amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge in the Central Square Overlay District
January (2)
- Ordinance2017 · #2A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge" to insert in Article 11.00 a new Section 11.800 Medical Marijuana
- Ordinance2017 · #1A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge" Chapter 2.125 entitled “Cambridge Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Commission” be amended to “Cambridge Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission.”
2016 (8 ordinances)
- Ordinance2016 · #8A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge" to create an additional Medical Marijuana Overlay District (MMD-4) that would be coterminous with the Business B and Office 3 Districts that are within the Harvard Square Overlay District
- Ordinance2016 · #7A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge" as amended by the Planning Board recommendation to expand the requirements of the North Massachusetts Avenue Sub-district (Section 20.110) applicable generally within the portions of the Massachusetts Avenue Overlay District (MAOD) zoned Business A-2 (BA-2)
- Ordinance2016 · #6A zoning petition by the Richard Avenue neighbors to amend Section 20.103.2 North Massachusetts Avenue Sub-district and Section 20.110 Standards Applicable in the North Massachusetts Avenue Sub-district on the north side of Massachusetts Avenue to extend from the centerline of Beech Street on the east to the centerline of Richard Avenue on the west and to amend the City of Cambridge Zoning Map by redrawing the North Massachusetts Avenue Sub-district for the northerly side of Massachusetts Avenue to extend from the centerline of Beech Street on the east to the centerline of Richard Avenue on the west
- Ordinance2016 · #5ORD 2016 # 5 : A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge" in Title 12 entitled “Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places” in Chapter 12.16 entitled “Street and Sidewalk Use Regulation” in Section 12.16.030 entitled “Trees-Climbing-Signposting-Fastening horses” and to add after the word
- Ordinance2016 · #4A report from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone and Councillor Leland Cheung, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a public hearing held on March 24, 2016 to discuss a zoning petition by the Sage Cannabis, Inc. to amend the Zoning Ordinance in Section 20.700 Medical Marijuana Overlay Districts by creating an additional Medical Marijuana Overlay District (MMD-3)
- Ordinance2016 · #3A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge" in Title 12 entitled “Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places” in Chapter 12.16 entitled “Street and Sidewalk Use Regulation” in Section 12.16.030 entitled “Trees-Climbing-Signposting-Fastening horses” and to add after the word "animal" in the second sentence the words "bicycle, moped, scooter, motorcycle, or any other form of conveyance." The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after May 23, 2016
- Ordinance2016 · #2A report from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone and Councillor Leland Cheung, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a public hearing held on March 24, 2016 to discuss a zoning petition by the Sage Cannabis, Inc. to amend the Zoning Ordinance in Section 20.700 Medical Marijuana Overlay Districts by creating an additional Medical Marijuana Overlay District (MMD-3). The question comes of passing to be ordained on or after April 18, 2016
- Ordinance2016 · #1A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge" in Title 6 entitled "Animals," a new Chapter 6.18 be added entitled "Prohibiting the Use of Wild and Exotic Animals in Traveling Shows and Circuses."