Description
A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL
ORDINANCE COMMITTEE
August 19, 2026 @ 3:00 P.M.
Sullivan Chamber
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2022 adopted by Massachusetts General Assembly and approved by the Governor, this meeting will be hybrid allowing participation in the Sullivan Chamber and remotely via ZOOM at https://cambridgema.zoom.us/s/97895847144.
The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. on a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council, to consider amendments to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance, Article 4.60 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge, that clarify language, impose new registration requirements and time restrictions, and effectuate enforcement of the Ordinance, among other amendments.
A Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council, to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Article 4.000 with the intent to amend section 4.60 by: (1) adding new definitions for short-term rental booking agents and services, (2) adding new definitions for residencies and proof of primary residency, (3) adding new definitions for registration databases and numbers, (4) adding a third short-term rental category for “Autonomous Unit”, (5) revising conditions permitting concurrent occupancy rentals for particular unit arraignments, (6) adding new registration and tracking requirements for short-term rental unit operators and bookings, (7) adding new registration requirements for booking agents and platforms, (8) limiting short-term rentals to 90 days per calendar year (9) adding new requirements linking short-term rental registrations to both the unit and the Operator, prohibiting automatic transfer of short-term rental registrations upon sale of the applicable unit, and mandating re-registration by new Operators in the event of a change in ownership, (10) mandating that short-term rental properties or units must comply with all building, zoning, sanitary, or fire codes, (11) adding provisions giving the City the right to revoke, suspend or prohibit issuance of certificates of registration for violations of the Short-Term Rental Ordinance, any building, zoning, sanitary or fire code, or related regulation, (12) adding a duty for Operators to amend their applications for short-term rental registration in the event of material changes within thirty days of such changes, (13) adding provisions that allow the City to fine violators and seek enforcement for violations through noncriminal civil disposition under MGL c. 40 §21D or court injunction, (14) authorizing ISD to promulgate all regulations necessary to effectuate enforcement of the Short-Term Rental Ordinance and its amendments, and (15) revising other parts of the ordinance for internal consistency.
Meeting Agenda
ZOOM is also being used for public comment. If you would like to provide public comment, you can use PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN UP FORM to sign up. The meeting can be viewed on the City’s Open Meeting Portal at OPEN MEETING PORTAL. Cambridge residents may also view on Channel 22-City View Local Access.
City of Cambridge does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The City Council will provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to persons with disabilities upon request. Contact the Office of the City Clerk, 617-349-4260.