Divisions & Programs

The Zoning Guide:
A User Guide to the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance

Index

Inspectional Services
Board of Zoning Appeal
City Council
Community Development Department
Planning Board

Please note that the Zoning Guide does not in any way replace the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Guide provides an overview of the Ordinance and seeks to explain some of the more technical concepts in language accessible to the layman.

VI. Who's Who in Zoning

Administration of the Zoning Ordinance involves several City Departments and Boards, as shown on Diagram 6. Click here to see Diagram 6.

Inspectional Services. Many individuals first become involved with zoning when they attempt to obtain a building permit or certificate of occupancy from Inspectional Services. This department is responsible for reviewing all plans for building construction, alteration or conversion to ensure that the proposal complies with the local zoning and with the State Building Code. The Superintendent of Buildings is empowered by state statute to enforce the Zoning Ordinance. The department has a Zoning Specialist who is responsible for explaining zoning requirements to specific parcels, for reviewing permit applications for zoning compliance and for investigating potential zoning violations. Other inspectors check plans for compliance with building and other codes.

Board of Zoning Appeal. The Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA) is a five-member (plus 7 alternate members) unpaid board appointed by the City Manager. It has a full-time secretary who has an office at Inspectional Services. The BZA has three duties.

First, it hears appeals from decisions made by the Building Superintendent in administering and enforcing the Zoning Ordinance. If someone is denied a building permit, he may appeal to the BZA; or if a permit is granted and another party, a neighbor perhaps, believes that it was improperly granted, that party may appeal the Building Superintendent's decision. Second, the BZA is empowered to grant variances from the requirements of the Ordinance. Third, the Board is the special permit granting authority for most conditional uses or other flexible zoning regulations requiring a special permit. The BZA conducts public hearings to hear cases on its current agenda. Appeals from the decisions of the BZA may be taken to the Middlesex County Superior Court or the Land Court.

City Council. As the City's legislative body, the City Council is responsible for adopting and amending the Zoning Ordinance. Both map changes and text changes must be approved by the Council as described earlier in the amendment procedure.

Community Development Department. The Community Development Department is Cambridge's city planning and community agency with a full-time staff of planners, urban designers and other professionals. In terms of zoning, the Department provides technical assistance to the Planning Board and to the City Council. The Land Use and Zoning Section of the Department regularly reviews the Zoning Ordinance and its administration and suggests revisions. It develops rezoning strategies to implement planning recommendations. Staff planners and urban designers review all development applications requiring Planning Board or Board of Zoning Appeal approval and conduct a development consultation procedure in districts of special planning concern. The Department also provides assistance to residents and others regarding interpretation of the Ordinance, zoning procedures, and other zoning matters.

Planning Board. The Planning Board is a seven member (plus two associate members), unpaid lay board appointed by the City Manager. It is empowered to oversee planning activities in Cambridge and to advise the manager and City Council on planning and community development issues. The Board conducts public hearings on all proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. (Traditionally, the Board has been the overseer of the Zoning Ordinance). The Planning Board's formal role in the zoning process is strictly advisory, involving making recommendations on all zoning matters before the City Council and the Board of Zoning Appeal. In addition, the Board is authorized to act as a special permit granting authority for developments which require a considerable amount of technical plan review or which will have substantial impact of special planning concern.

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The Zoning Guide: A User Guide to the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance

Index

VI. Who's Who in Zoning

The Zoning Guide:
A User Guide to the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance