CITY OF CAMBRIDGE Quick Links Subscribe Translate Services I Want To Departments INSPECTIONAL SERVICES Department Menu Services Contact Due to statewide emergency orders limiting the size of public gatherings in response to COVID-19, and in accordance with Governor Charles D. Baker's Executive Order of March 12, 2020, temporarily amending certain requirements of the Open Meeting Law, as well as the City of Cambridge Temporary Emergency Restrictions on City Public Meetings, City Events and City Permitted Events Due to COVID-19 dated May 27, 2020, meetings of the Planning Board will be held with remote participation until further notice. Meetings will be closed to in-person attendance. Read More The City of Cambridge issued a temporary emergency order allowing restaurants to sell groceries directly to consumers during the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. Inspectional Services has released mandatory guidelines to restaurants for this temporary service. Read More The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) is responsible for the enforcement all laws and related City ordinances that pertain to the Massachusetts State Building Code and certain articles of the State Sanitary Code. State law requires registration of short-term rentals and payment of State excise tax. Learn more Useful Documents & Resources BZA Rules of Practice and Procedure [PDF] Rules of Practice and Procedure document of the Board of Zoning Appeal. Copies of this document are on file in the City Clerk's Office. Online Permitting System The City of Cambridge's New Online Permitting System Online Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Application Online application for the Board of Zoning Appeals Register a Short-Term Rental Short-term rental (STR) refers to the rental of any dwelling unit or bedroom as residential accommodation for a duration of less than 30 consecutive days. Cambridge Zoning Ordinance Links to electronic versions of the Zoning Ordinance Text of the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Our goal is to make zoning more accessible by placing this information on the Web. The Ordinance is a complex legal document. Plumbing Fees Fee schedule for plumbing permits Gas Fees Fee schedule for gas permits Health Fees (Sanitary) Fee Schedule for Health Related Service Electrical-Wiring Fees Information about electrical and wiring fees from the Cambridge Inspectional Services Department View Document Library Tips and FAQs How can I view Inspectional Services records and archives? Inspectional Services Department record room is located on the lower level at 831 Massachusetts Avenue. Record room is open: Monday - Thursday: 9:30am - Noon, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Friday: 9:30am - Noon All available records of BZA decisions; building, plumbing and electrical permits issued; plans submitted at time of application or completion of work: restaurant inspections; housing inspections; certificates of occupancy and certificates of inspection are stored in the records room. What actions are recommended to control rodents? When is a building permit required? CONTACT CITY HALL 795 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02139 Ph: 617-349-4000 TTY: 617-349-4242 HOURS OF SERVICE Mon: 8AM - 8PM Tue: 8AM - 12PM Wed: 8AM - 5PM Thu - Fri: 8AM - 1PM 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