Zoning Amendments

This page lists all amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance currently under consideration as well as those that were acted upon within this year and the previous year. Electronic versions of some documents relevant to the proposed amendments are also provided. Not all documents are available electronically at this time.

PLEASE NOTE: These online documents are provided for reference and convenience only. The print versions of the referenced documents, along with any amendments that may have been made subsequent to the most recent update to the print versions, remain the official versions. If any discrepancies exist between the documents on file at the Office of the City Clerk and the electronic documents available on this site, the print versions shall be considered correct. The documents listed on this web page do not necessarily constitute a full public record.

Amendments Under Consideration

The following amendments to the Zoning Ordinance are currently under official consideration by the City Council and Planning Board. The public hearing dates are listed below (TBD = "to be determined").

Petition Name and Description Documents Referral and Hearing Dates Expiration Date
Registered Marijuana Dispensaries Amendment (City Council Petition) • Petition Text
 Referral:
September 12, 2016
Planning Board:
TBD
Ordinance Cmte:
TBD
 To be determined
Riverside Neighborhood Protective Zoning (REFILED) • Petition Text
• Map of Affected Area 

Original Petition:
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation
 Referral:
August 23, 2016
Planning Board:
TBD
Ordinance Cmte:
October 5, 2016		 January 3, 2017
William Noyes Webster Foundation, Inc. (Medical Marijuana District) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo (also regarding Healthy Pharms, Inc. Petition)
• Status of Applications for RMDs in Cambridge
 Referral:
August 1, 2016
Planning Board:
September 6, 2016
Ordinance Cmte:
September 22, 2016		 December 21, 2016
Urban Agriculture (City Council Petition)
 • Petition Text
• Urban Agriculture Task Force Process Update
• Draft Public Health Regulations for Hen Keeping
• Draft Public Health Regulations for Beekeeping
 Referral:
June 27, 2016
Planning Board:
August 23, 2016
Ordinance Cmte:
August 23, 2016
 November 21, 2016
Healthy Pharms, Inc. (Medical Marijuana District, Harvard Square) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo (also regarding William Noyes Webster Foundation, Inc. Petition)
• Status of Applications for RMDs in Cambridge
• Planning Board Recommendation
 Referral:
June 27, 2016
Planning Board:
August 16, 2016
Ordinance Cmte:
August 31, 2016
 November 29, 2016

Zoning under Discussion

From time to time, the Planning Board will discuss zoning projects that are underway as part of planning initiatives. While the public is welcome to attend, these discussions are not considered public hearings because a petition has not been formally submitted to the City Council.

Subject Documents

Amendments Adopted and Ordained

The following amendments to the Zoning Ordinance have been adopted by the City Council within this year or the previous year.

View a list of additional adopted zoning amendments.

Petition Name and Description Documents Referral Date Final Ordination
Kroon, et al. Friends of MAPOCO Zoning Petition (REFILED)
 • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation
 April 4, 2016
 September 12, 2016
Ordinance #1385
Richard Avenue Neighbors Petition (Stern, et al.) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo - April 12, 2016
• Planning Board Recommendation

Previous Version:
• Petition Text
• CDD Memo		 March 14, 2016
 June 27, 2016
Ordinance #1384
Sage Cannabis, Inc., Rezoning Petition (Medical Marijuana Overlay Districts) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo - March 8, 2016
• Planning Board Recommendation
 February 22, 2016

 April 25, 2016
Ordinance #1382
Carsharing Zoning Petition (City Council Petition, Refiled) • General Information on Carsharing
• Petition Text
• CDD Memo (May)
• Presentation to Planning Board
• Planning Board Recommendation
• CDD Memo (October)
• Presentation - October 27, 2015
• Planning Board Recommendation (Refile)		 September 15, 2015
 January 11, 2016
Ordinance #1380
Barrett, et al. Petition (Accessory Apartments and Basement Space) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 September 28, 2015
 January 11, 2016
Ordinance #1379
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Petition (MXD District) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Proposed Modifications - November 5, 2015		 Referral:
August 10, 2015
Planning Board:
October 13, 2015
(continued to November 10, 2015)
Ordinance Cmte:
September 23, 2015 		 December 21, 2015
Ordinance #1377
Letter of Commitment 
Walden and Sherman Streets Rezoning (#2) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation
 June 15, 2015 October 19, 2015
Ordinance #1372
Incentive Zoning Amendments • Petition Text
• Nexus Study
• Presentation to Housing Committee
• Presentation to Ordinance Committee
• CDD Memo and Revised Zoning Text - September 18, 2015		 June 15, 2015 September 28, 2015
Ordinance #1371 
Chestnut Hill Realty Petition (Basement Housing Overlay Revisions) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 March 30, 2015 June 1, 2015
Ordinance #1369 
Normandy/Twining Petition (Mass and Main) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo - January 20, 2015
• Revised Zoning Text - April 23, 2015
• CDD Memo - April 23, 2015
• Planning Board Recommendation		 February 20, 2015 May 18, 2015
Ordinance #1368
Letter of Commitment
Whitehead Institute Petition  • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 November 10, 2014 March 30, 2015
 (#1365)
Letter of Commitment
Teague, et al. Petition • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 September 15, 2014 "Part 1" Adopted
January 5, 2015
(#1363)
North Point Retail Parking • Petition Text
• Staff Comments		 September 8, 2014 November 10, 2014
 (#1362)
Cambridge Highlands Overlay District (Alternative form of Chun, et al. Petition) • Petition Text
• Background Information (re: previous Chun, et al. Petition)
• Planning Board Recommendation		 July 28, 2014  October 20, 2014
(#1361)
Medical Marijuana Zoning • Process Information
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation
• Presentation		  October 7, 2013 December 16, 2013 (#1359)
Boston Properties - Ames Street Petition • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation		 September 16, 2013  December 9, 2013 (#1358) 
Bicycle Parking Revisions (see CDD project page) • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation 
• CDD Memo and Revised Text		 February 11, 2013  June 3, 2013 (#1357) 
Medical Marijuana Interim Regulations • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation		 December 17, 2012   April 22, 2013 (#1356)
MIT PUD-5 • Petition Text 
• CDD Memo January 11, 2013 
• CDD Memo February 15, 2013
• Height Limits Comparison
• Planning Board Recommendation		 December 17, 2012 April 8, 2013 (#1355)
Letter of Commitment
Forest City Petition to amend CRDD boundaries and regulations (#3) • Petition Text
• Final Planning Board Recommendation		 December 10, 2012  February 25, 2013 (#1354)
Letter of Commitment
Ground Floor Cafeterias • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation 		 November 19, 2012 January 28, 2013
(#1353)
Chen Petition
Principal Entrance to Entertainment Venues		 • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation		 September 24, 2012 December 6, 2012 (#1352)
North Massachusetts Avenue Zoning Petition • Petition Text
• CDD Memo June 13, 2012
• Final Language		 April 9, 2012 July 30, 2012 (#1351)
CJUF III Northpoint LLC Petition to Amend PUD-6 Regulations • Petition Text April 23, 2012 July 30, 2012 (#1350)
Zoning Modifications to K-8 Public School Sites • Petition Text
• Revised Language
• Summary		 April 9, 2012
 July 30, 2012 (#1349)
Bishop, et al. Petition to amend SD-2 requirements • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation
• Revised Tyler Court Plan		 December 7, 2011 March 5, 2012 (#1347)
Chestnut Hill Realty Petition to allow dwelling units in existing residential basements (#2) • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation		 August 1, 2011 December 19, 2011 (#1345)
Bagedenow, et al. Petition to establish minimum side yards in C-1 districts • Petition Text
• Staff Memo #1
• Staff Memo #2
• Planning Board Recommendation		 August 1, 2011 December 13, 2011 (#1344)
Runkel, et al. Petition to amend zoning designation on Bellis Circle • Petition Text
• Staff Memo #1
• Staff Memo #2
• Planning Board Recommendation		 August 1, 2011 December 13, 2011 (#1343)
de Rahm, et al. Petition to establish enforcement provisions • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation		 August 1, 2011 December 11, 2011 (#1342)
Bicycle Sharing Stations establishment • Petition Text June 20, 2011 September 19, 2011 (#1341)
Section 5.28.2 modifications (#3) • Petition Text April 4, 2011 August 1, 2011 (#1340)
Fox, et al. Petition to amend zoning designation on Cottage Park Ave • Petition Text February 17, 2011 June 9, 2011 (#1339)
Novartis Petition to establish SD-15 • Petition Text January 31, 2011 May 26, 2011 (#1338)

Amendments Expired or Failed

The following amendments to the Zoning Ordinance were considered by the City Council within this year or the previous year but were not adopted, either due to being placed on file because the time period for consideration had expired, or due to failure to receive the necessary votes on consideration by the City Council.

Petition Name and Description Documents Referral Date(s) Final Action
Rainwater Separation on Concave Roofs • Petition Text
• Petitioner's Presentation
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation
 April 4, 2016 Placed on File
Peter Cohen, et al., Rezoning Petition (Parking Garages on Nonconforming Lots) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo - February 22, 2016
 January 11, 2016
 Placed on File
May 24, 2016 
Kroon, et al. Friends of MAPOCO Zoning Petition • Petition Text 
• CDD Memo
• Memo from Petitioner - January 19, 2016
• CDD Memo - January 19, 2016
• Planning Board Recommendation - February 16, 2016


 November 2, 2015
 Placed on File
March 9, 2016
Alexandrov, et al. Zoning Petition (Business A-3) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation

 October 19, 2015
 Placed on File
March 8, 2016 
PUD-KS (Volpe) Rezoning Petition (Refiled) • Petition Text
• Background Materials - June 24, 2015
• Kendall Square Design Guidelines
• Supplemental PUD-KS Guidelines
• Volpe Fact Sheet
• CDD Memo - October 14, 2015

CDD Materials (November 9, 2015)
• CDD Memo
• Revised Zoning Text
• DRAFT Urban Design Framework
• Summary of Community Outreach

• CDD Memo - December 1, 2015
• Planning Board Recommendation

Additional Information on Project Page		 September 28, 2015
 Placed on File
February 8, 2016
Walden and Sherman Street Petition • Petition Text
• CDD Memo		 October 20, 2014
Placed on File 
March 18, 2015
Flaherty Petition/Medical Marijuana (#2) • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation 		September 22, 2014
Placed on File
February 23, 2015
Flaherty, et al. Petition - Medical Marijuana Overlay Expansion (Mooney Street) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 May 19, 2014
 Placed on File
September 15, 2014 
Carlone, et al. Petition - Project Review Special Permit • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 June 30, 2014
 Failed to Pass on a Vote
September 8, 2014
Chun Petition - Refiled #3 (Cambridge Highlands) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo November 15, 2013
• CDD Memo January 14, 2014
• Planning Board Recommendation April 1, 2014
• CDD Memo May 28, 2014
• Planning Board Recommendation June 3, 2014		 April 28, 2014  Placed on File
August 18, 2014
PUD Procedural Zoning Amendments • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• CDD Presentation
• Planning Board Recommendation		  April 7, 2014 Placed on File
August 4, 2014
Linear Park Petition (Special District 2) • Petition Text
• Planning Board Recommendation		 January 27, 2014  Placed on File
June 16, 2014
Lutz Petition - Refiled (Richdale Avenue) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Citywide Map of Residence C-1A Districts		 January 27, 2014 Placed on File
June 16, 2014
Connolly, et al. Petition ("Net Zero" Greenhouse Gas Emissions) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• City Council Policy Order		 June 24, 2013  Placed on File
November 18, 2013
Craig Kelley Petition (Flat Roofs / Rainwater Separation) • Council Zoning Petition
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 April 29, 2013 Placed on File
September 16, 2013 
Popper-Keizer, et al. Petition (Special District 8A) • Petition Text
• Map of Proposed Change
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation		 April 29, 2013 Placed on File
September 16, 2013
Phillips, et al. Petition (Special District 2) • Petition Text
• CDD Memo
• Planning Board Recommendation 		April 1, 2013 Placed on File
August 20, 2013
Teague, et al. Petition Regarding Direct Light • Petition Text
• CDD Memo May 14, 2013
• CDD Memo July 9, 2013
• Planning Board Recommendation		  March 18, 2013 Failed to Pass on a Vote
July 29, 2013
Trolley Square Vicinity Rezoning from A-2 to C-2B (#2) • Petition Text
• Map of Petition Area - Existing Zoning
• Map of Petition Area - Proposed Zoning
• Map of Key Parcels
• Photos of Key Parcels
• CDD Memo to Planning Board		 September 5, 2012 Placed on File
January 15, 2013
Yanow, et al. Petition (Area Four Neighborhood Preservation) • Petition Text
• Map of Petition Area
• CDD Memo to Planning Board 		July 30, 2013 Placed on File
January 1, 2013
Waiver of Parking Requirements on Private Way • Petition Text
• CDD Memo to Planning Board 		August 13, 2012 Placed on File
January 1, 2013
Forest City Petition to amend CRDD boundaries and regulations (#2) • Petition Text
• Petition Map
• CRDD Heights Map
• Presentation to Planning Board
• CDD Memo June 12, 2012
• Second Reading
• Goody Clancy Review Comments
• CDD Zoning Modifications July 2012
• Substituted Zoning Changes (Ord. Cmte.) July 25, 2012		 March 26, 2012 Placed on File
August 13, 2012
Central Square Overlay District modifications to requirements for bars and entertainment venues • Petition Text
• Staff Memo		 September 19, 2011 Placed on File
January 11, 2012
Bishop, et al. Petition to amend SD-2 requirements (#1) • Petition Text
• Staff Memo #1
• Staff Memo #2
• Planning Board Recommendation		 August 1, 2011 Placed on File
December 6, 2011
Refiled (see above)
Andrews, et al. Petition to modify Inclusionary Housing regulations • Petition Text
• Staff Memo #1
• Staff Memo #2
• Planning Board Recommendation		 August 1, 2011 Placed on File
December 6, 2011
MIT Petition to establish PUD-5 in Kendall Square • Petition Text May 16, 2011 Placed on File
October 11, 2011
Forest City Petition to amend CRDD boundaries and regulations (#1) • Petition Text February 28, 2011 Placed on File
July 13, 2011
Refiled (see above)
Chestnut Hill Realty Petition to allow dwelling units in existing residential basements (#1) • Petition Text January 31, 2011 Placed on File
May 31, 2011
Refiled (see above)
Hegarty, et al. Petition to amend a portion of Section 5.28.2 • Petition Text December 13, 2010 Placed on File
April 19, 2011
Section 5.28.2 modifications (#2) • Petition Text December 6, 2010 Placed on File
April 19, 2011
Refiled (see above)

Explanation of Table Headings

Petition Name and Description

Where a zoning amendment is proposed by Cambridge property owners or registered voters, the amendment is typically named for the petitioner or petitioners. Where a zoning amendment is proposed by the City Council or Planning Board, the amendment is typically named for the subject of the petition itself. In both cases, this column provides a very brief description of the nature of the proposed change. Where a number is given (#1, #2) it indicates that this petition is one version of a petition that may have been refiled and considered by the City Council multiple times.

Documents

Lists documents that may be especially relevant to the petition, including the text of the petition itself, memoranda from City staff or other agencies, recommendations from the Planning Board, or supplemental information provided by the petitioner. PLEASE NOTE: This web page does not list all submitted documents that pertain to the petition. To view the full public record for a zoning petition, contact the Office of the City Clerk.

Referral and Hearing Dates

Lists the date at which the petition has been referred to the City Council and the dates at which public hearings have been scheduled for the Planning Board and the Ordinance Committee of the City Council. "TBD" is given where a hearing date has not yet been advertised. Such public hearings are scheduled within 65 days of the referral date.

Expiration Date

The time period for consideration of a zoning petition is within 90 days of the first public hearing held before the Ordinance Committee of the City Council. If no City Council action is taken before the end of that 90 day period, the petition is placed on file and may not be voted upon unless it is refiled, at which point the City Council would refer the petition to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for a new set of public hearings.

Final Ordination

Provides the final Ordinance Number and date on which the zoning amendment was Ordained. Contact the Office of the City Clerk for additional information about ordination.

Final Action

Provides the final action on a zoning amendment that was not adopted and the date at which the action was taken. If a zoning petition is placed on file, it may be refiled at any time, at which point the City Council would refer the petition to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for a new set of public hearings. If a petition fails to pass on a vote of the City Council, then it may not be refiled until at least two years from the date at which the final vote was taken.

For More Information

For more information contact Liza Paden at 617/349-4647 or lpaden@cambridgema.gov.