Divisions & Programs

City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Base Zoning and Associated Maps

About the Zoning Map
Disclaimer
Viewing the Zoning Map
Overlay Districts and Specialized Maps
On-Line Zoning Ordinance
For More Information about Zoning

About the Zoning Map

As a public service, this page provides links to a base zoning map (incorporating planned unit development (PUD) districts) and to separate maps of the Alewife Overlay Districts, Mixed Use Residential Overlay Districts, and Planned Unit Development (PUD) Districts. Our goal is to make zoning more accessible by placing the Zoning Ordinance and related maps on the Web. The Ordinance is a complex legal document. Reading about some of the underlying principles of zoning and land use planning discussed in The Zoning Guide will provide necessary information and make the Ordinance easier for the general public to use.

For a primer on the different aspects of zoning in Cambridge go to the Zoning Guide.

DISCLAIMER
The Web version of the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Zoning Ordinance is provided for reference and the convenience of having the Ordinance in a computer-readable format. The print version of the Zoning Ordinance, together with any amendments adopted by the City Council subsequent to the most recent update to the print version, remains the official version of the Ordinance. If any discrepancies exist between the print and web versions of the Zoning Ordinance, the print version, together with any City Council amendments, shall be considered correct. Recent amendments to the Zoning Ordinance may appear on the Web prior to being incorporated into the print version of the Ordinance.

DISCLAIMER

The Web version of the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts Zoning Ordinance is provided for reference and the convenience of having the Ordinance in a computer-readable format. The print version of the Zoning Ordinance, together with any amendments adopted by the City Council subsequent to the most recent update to the print version, remains the official version of the Ordinance. If any discrepancies exist between the print and web versions of the Zoning Ordinance, the print version, together with any City Council amendments, shall be considered correct. Recent amendments to the Zoning Ordinance may appear on the Web prior to being incorporated into the print version of the Ordinance.

There is an interim period between the date when the City Council adopts a text or map amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and the revision date of this web site. Zoning text and map amendments, as well as corrections, will be placed on-line as available. The web version of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge currently includes all text amendments approved by the City Council up to Ordinance #1316 approved on September 9, 2008 .

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Viewing the Zoning Map

The Zoning map is available on line in Portable Document Format (PDF) format. The PDF format offers flexibility when it comes to panning and rescaling the map. In order to view the text and map files in PDF format, you will need at least version 4.0 of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer. Use of an earlier version may result in errors or limited capabilities. The most recent version of the Acrobat Reader should work well with most internet browsers. The most recent version of the Acrobat Reader should work well with most version 5.0 or higher internet browsers.

Generally, text files in PDF format can be printed with little loss of legibility. Conversion to PDF format sometimes compromises legibility of map features when printed. If you wish to obtain a current paper copy of one of the maps referenced by the Ordinance, contact either the City Clerk's office at 617/349-4260 or the Community Development Department at 617/349-4600.

Sample image:

View of Cambridge Zoning Base Map, including PUD Districts

Large Base Zoning Map in PDF Format (3.4 MB) - Includes building footprints, parcel lines, parking areas, street names and street edge. Prints best as 18x36.
Small Base Zoning Map in PDF Format (557 KB) - Includes streets and street names. Reverse side includes dimensional requirements and brief descriptions of Special Districts and PUDs. Prints best as 11x17.

Overlay Districts and Specialized Maps

The following maps focus on specialized districts not otherwise well represented on the base zoning map:

Institutional and Zoning Overlay Districts Map - includes both base zoning and Planned Unit Development (PUD) districts.
Zoning Ordinance - includes links to full text of ordinance.
Alewife Overlay Districts Map (766 KB) - Includes building footprints, parcel lines, parking areas, street names and street edge. Prints best as 11x17.
Massachusetts Avenue Overlay District: Porter Square (514 KB) - Map of Massachusetts Avenue overlay district focused on Porter Square where revision occurred during Septermber 2008.
Mixed Use Residential Overlay Districts Map (478 KB) - Schematic map of city with detailed callouts of each mixed use residential overlay district.
Planned Unit Development (PUD) Districts Map (621 KB) - Includes building footprints, parcel lines, parking areas, street names and street edge. Prints best as 11x17.
Transfer of Development Rights Maps: A series of maps of the various districts thoughout the City where Transfer of Development Rights is allowed by the Zoning Ordinance:
- Alewife (781 KB)
- Cambridgeport (704 KB)
- East Cambridge (841 KB)

The maps associated with the Zoning Ordinance derive from the City's Geographic Information System (GIS). For more information about the GIS contact the City's GIS Department.

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On-Line Zoning Ordinance and Associated Maps

You can the current text of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance on line.

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For More Information about Zoning

To purchase a paper copy of the Zoning Ordinance visit the City Clerk's office at City Hall, located at 795 Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square. The Clerk's office also has copies of the zoning map for sale. Call 617/349-4260 for more information.
Directions to City Hall.
Zoning maps may also be purchased at the Community Development Department offices, located at 344 Broadway. Call 617/349-4600 for more information. Pricing depends on the size of the map.
Directions to 344 Broadway.
If you have questions about the Zoning Ordinance or wish to speak to a staff person on a related matter, contact either Liza Paden, lpaden@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4647 or Les Barber, lbarber@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4657.
The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

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