CITY OF CAMBRIDGE Quick Links Subscribe Translate Services I Want To Departments LICENSE Department Menu Services Contact Governor Baker announced that restaurants may reopen for outdoor service only on Monday, June 8, 2020. If you are currently licensed to serve in a private outdoor area you may commence to set up your outdoor seating and start operating it as of Monday, June 8, 2020. If you have a licensed outdoor area in a public way, please contact the Department of Public Works at rlinke@cambridgema.gov prior to setting anything up or operating the outdoor area. If you do not have a licensed outdoor area or seek to extend your current one, please complete an application for a Temporary Extension of Licensed Premises to Outdoor Area Due to COVID-19 application is now available on our online licensing portal. Below are additional guidelines and protocols related to outdoor dining: An Act Relative to Extending Certain Covid-19 Measures Adopted During the State Of Emergency - §19 of Chapter 20 Information Guide for Temporary Extensions to Outdoor Areas Protocols for Outdoor Dining Restaurant Protocol Restaurant Checklist Lodging Protocol Lodging Checklist City Forms for Seating on Public Property Temporary Sidewalk/Street Restaurant Patio License, Maintenance and Indemnification Agreement/Amendment Due to COVID-19 Crisis (City Manager's Agreement) Sidewalk - Business Use Bond Form (DPW Sidewalk Agreement) Please see City of Cambridge Covid-19 webpage for the latest City of Cambridge updates and the State Covid-19 webpage for the latest updates from the Governor and other State Agencies. PUBLIC MEETINGS: The Governor’s Executive Order, issued on March 12th, 2020, and the more recently updated Section 20 of Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, signed into law on June 16, 2021, has authorized the use of remote participation at meetings of the City’s public bodies and issued guidelines for the City’s use of remote participation. In addition to having members of the Board of License Commissioners participate remotely, meetings are set up via a zoom teleconference for public to listen live. Please note the video of all meetings will be posted in the meeting minute section on the license commission page of the city’s website together with the meeting minutes. Please note, Applications to the Board of License Commissioners and Pole & Conduit Commission may continue to be submitted through the online permitting, licensing and renewal system, Viewpoint Cloud. ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL: The License Commission has transitioned to a new online permitting, licensing and renewal system, Viewpoint Cloud. To apply new, renew, make changes to an existing license, or login to access your current records please go to: https://cambridgema.viewpointcloud.com. ABOUT: The Cambridge License Commission, which is a three person Board, is responsible for issuing licenses/permits and enforcing rules, regulations, local ordinances and state laws that regulate the service and sale of alcoholic beverages, operation of restaurants, hotels and lodging houses, indoor and outdoor entertainment, hackney drivers and vehicles, parking lots and garages, flammables, peddlers, fortune tellers, second hand goods stores, letting and sale of motor vehicles, commercial leaf blower operators and one day licenses for alcohol and/or entertainment. The Department also manages the Pole and Conduit Commission and enforces the Noise Control Ordinance. OUR MISSION: Our goal is to ensure all licensed or permitted businesses operate in a manner that protect the public safety and serve the common good. We strive to provide professional and streamlined services, as well as excellent customer service. Our Inspectors and Hackney Officers conduct inspections to ensure proper operating practices and hold disciplinary hearings when appropriate to ensure accountability. We foster partnerships with licensees, residents, neighborhood organizations and policymakers to encourage successful endeavors. BOARD MEMBERS: The License Commission is comprised of the Chairperson, Nicole Murati Ferrer, and two other Commissioners -- the Cambridge Fire Chief and Police Commissioner. The Pole and Conduit Commission is comprised of the Chairperson, Nicole Murati Ferrer, Commissioner Terrence James Shea, Superintendent of Streets, and Commissioner Stephen Lenkauskas, City Electrician. News 2022 COVID-19 Recovery Measures Board Vote The Board of License Commissioners have voted to continue COVID-19 Recovery Measures for the 2022 renewal period. Board Vote Attached. Board Vote Regarding Newspaper Notice for Entertainment The Board of License Commissioners voted (3-0) to remove the newspaper advertisement requirement for annual entertainment license applications, including those seeking to add live entertainment. Board Vote Regarding Licensing Fees The Board voted for a one time reduction in renewal fees for licenses in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Amended Hybrid Lottery Policy Amended Hybrid Lottery Policy for the drawing to be held on Monday, September 28th, 2020 Notice of Board Vote - Extension of Premises The Board vote automatically extends the expiration of Temporary Extension to Premises to 60 days after the expiration of the of the State of Emergency. More News Upcoming Events Board of License Commissioners’ Public Meeting December 9, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM More Events Useful Documents & Resources Rules and Regulations - License Commission [PDF] Application Library Meeting Minutes and Audio Library Fee Schedules Viewpoint Cloud Login A Guide to Labor Laws Enforced by the USDOL Wage and Hour Division [PDF] The MA Used Vehicle Warranty Law [PDF] View Document Library Additional Information How We Review Applications The Process Many types of businesses need to be licensed by the Cambridge License Commission before they are able to conduct business within the City of Cambridge. Find out whether you need a license/permit from us: Alcohol License - Retail On and Off Premise Common Victualer Entertainment License Innholder and Lodging House Licenses Hackney License Garage and Flammables Pole Conduit Permits Other Licenses One-Day Licenses Transportation Licenses Shops and Sales Licenses Whenever you apply for a license/permit, the Board of License Commissioners may hold a hearing to decide whether the license will be granted. The Board holds meetings, which are open to the public, every month, check the hearing schedule to find out when the next hearing is. Learn more about our hearings below. Appealing a Decision Violations How much do you charge for copies of documents? What licenses are NOT issued by the License Commission? What Happens at Public Hearings General Hearing Information The Cambridge License Commission holds General Public Hearing at least twice monthly. At the General Public Hearing we hold hearings for license violations, hearings for businesses who are petitioning for a license, permits for one-day licenses and administrative matters. Search our Public Calendar for License Commission hearings. Agenda will be posted no later than 48 hours prior to a hearing. Scheduled items are tentative prior to posting of an official Agenda or Hearing Notice. Refer to the posted Agenda for a full list of scheduled items. Please check the agenda for the time and location of particular meetings. Please note: All One-Day Application must be submitted to the Commission by the Thursday two weeks preceding the event. Applications can be dropped off, emailed or faxed. The application must be filled out completely, and bear the applicant’s signature and that of the Police Commissioner’s or designee when submitted. We'll let you know when to expect the hearing when you apply. Types of Hearings I Want to Testify CONTACT CITY HALL 795 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139 Ph: 617-349-4000 TTY: 617-349-4242 HOURS OF SERVICE Mon: 8:30AM - 8PM Tue - Thu: 8:30AM - 5PM Fri: 8:30AM - 12PM PAY BILLS ONLINE PROPERTY DATABASE WATCH CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR VIEW CITY DIRECTORY FIND FORMS & DOCUMENTS Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager Public Records Request Disclaimer Jobs Privacy Statement Social Media Contact Us © 2021 City of Cambridge Contact Us