Informational Alert | Coronavirus Updates
NOTICE:

The License Commission will be open to members of the public, by appointment only, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments are available for: new hackney, jitney or livery drivers; people who have to pay license or application fees in cash; or other matters. Appointments can be made online, by phone at 617-349-6140, or by email at license@cambridgema.gov. Appointments by phone or email are strongly encouraged to ensure you are connected with the appropriate services.

City Seal of Cambridge
City of
Cambridge

License

Photo of Harvard Square

Governor Baker announced that restaurants may reopen for outdoor service only on Monday, June 8, 2020.  If you are currently licensed to serve in a private outdoor area you may commence to set up your outdoor seating and start operating it as of Monday, June 8, 2020.  If you have a licensed outdoor area in a public way, please contact the Department of Public Works at rlinke@cambridgema.gov prior to setting anything up or operating the outdoor area.

If you do not have a licensed outdoor area or seek to extend your current one, please complete an application for aTemporary Extension of Licensed Premises to Outdoor Area Due to COVID-19 application is now available on our online licensing portal. 

Below are additional guidelines and protocols related to outdoor dining: 

Please see City of Cambridge Covid-19 webpage for the latest City of Cambridge updates and the State Covid-19 webpage for the latest updates from the Governor and other State Agencies. 

PUBLIC MEETINGS DURING COVID-19 CLOSURES: 

The Governor’s Executive Order, issued on March 12th, 2020, has authorized the use of remote participation at meetings of the City’s public bodies in response to the threat posed to the public by COVID-19 and issued guidelines for the City’s use of remote participation. In addition to having members of the Board of License Commissioners participate remotely, meetings are set up via a zoom teleconference for public to listen live. Please note the video of all meetings will be posted in the meeting minute section on the license commission page of the city’s website together with the meeting minutes.

Additionally, while the State of Emergency is in effect, applications for permits issued by City multi-member boards and commissions may be filed by e-mail to the City Clerk at cityclerk@cambridgema.gov.  All application fees should be submitted to the applicable board or commission by mail. Please note, Applications to the Board of License Commissioners and Pole & Conduit Commission may continue to be submitted through the online permitting, licensing and renewal system, Viewpoint Cloud.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL: 

The License Commission has transitioned to a new online permitting, licensing and renewal system, Viewpoint Cloud. To apply new, renew, make changes to an existing license, or login to access your current records please go to: https://cambridgema.viewpointcloud.com.

ABOUT:

The Cambridge License Commission, which is a three person Board, is responsible for issuing licenses/permits and enforcing rules, regulations, local ordinances and state laws that regulate the service and sale of alcoholic beverages, operation of restaurants, hotels and lodging houses, indoor and outdoor entertainment, hackney drivers and vehicles, parking lots and garages, flammables, peddlers, fortune tellers, second hand goods stores, letting and sale of motor vehicles, commercial leaf blower operators and one day licenses for alcohol and/or entertainment.  The Department also manages the Pole and Conduit Commission and enforces the Noise Control Ordinance.

OUR MISSION:

Our goal is to ensure all licensed or permitted businesses operate in a manner that protect the public safety and serve the common good.  We strive to provide professional and streamlined services, as well as excellent customer service.  Our Inspectors and Hackney Officers conduct inspections to ensure proper operating practices and hold disciplinary hearings when appropriate to ensure accountability.  We foster partnerships with licensees, residents, neighborhood organizations and policymakers to encourage successful endeavors.

BOARD MEMBERS: 

The License Commission is comprised of the Chairperson, Nicole Murati Ferrer, and two other Commissioners -- the Cambridge Fire Chief and Police Commissioner. 
The Pole and Conduit Commission is comprised of the Chairperson, Nicole Murati Ferrer, Commissioner Terrence James Shea, Superintendent of Streets, and Commissioner Stephen Lenkauskas, City Electrician.   

How We Review Applications

The Process

Many types of businesses need to be licensed by the Cambridge License Commission before they are able to conduct business within the City of Cambridge. Find out whether you need a license/permit from us:

Alcohol License - Retail On and Off Premise

Common Victualer

Entertainment License

Innholder and Lodging House Licenses                    

 Hackney License

Garage and Flammables

Pole Conduit Permits                                

Other Licenses



 One-Day Licenses

Transportation Licenses

Shops and Sales Licenses                                      


Whenever you apply for a license/permit, the Board of License Commissioners may hold a hearing to decide whether the license will be granted. The Board holds meetings, which are open to the public, every month, check the hearing schedule to find out when the next hearing is. Learn more about our hearings below.



Appealing a Decision

Depending on the matter, type of license/permit and/or action taken by the Board of License Commissioners, its decisions are appealable to other agencies or Massachusetts Superior Court. You should ask about your appeal rights and should note that the timeline in which to file an appeal depends on the matter at hand. 



Violations

Violation hearings can be based on a complaint received, a CAD or police incident report, or an inspection conducted by the Cambridge Police or a License Commission Investigator or designee.  Hearings are open to the public, and any person testifying as to the matter must do so under oath.  Any person cited for a violation hearing may present evidence through witness testimony, photographs, videos, documents, etc.  The Board decides cases based on the evidence presented to it at the hearing and may take into account any previous complaints and/or disciplinary action. 

How much do you charge for copies of documents?

Public records fees are as follows**:

Copies - first 50 pages are free.

$.05/page for black and white 8.5" x 11" 

$.20/page for black and white legal size

$.30/page for color 8.5" x 11"

$.40/page for color legal size

The time spent by the License Commission staff to find, segregation, file, archive, and redact will be billed if more than two (2) hours.

* Please note that many of our files contain information that is not public and that must be redacted by law.  Therefore, even if you seek to view a file during our "viewing hours," depending on the size of the file, contents therein and whether the proper staff person to remove the non-public information is available, you may have to make an appointment for a later day or time to view the file. 

** This is not a comprehensive list of all applicable fees.  No fees will be charged until an estimate has been provided to the requester.

What licenses are NOT issued by the License Commission?

The Cambridge License Commission does not issue all types of licenses. The following are examples of licenses which are issued by other departments or state agencies. For a more comprehensive list, please see the state Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website.

Department of Public Health

License Type Contact Information and Application
Architects Division of Registration  Information

Apply  
Barbers   Division of Registration  Information

Apply  
Birth Certificate   Information  
Cigarette Sellers License Department of Revenue   617.887.5090
Death Certificates City Clerk 617.349.4260
Driver's License - Auto Registry of Motor Vehicles    
Employment Agencies  Division of Occupational Safety 617.727.3696
Financial Advisors   Secretary of State Securities Division  617.727.3548
Fishing License Dept. of Fish & Game Division of Fisheries & Wildlife  
Marriage Licenses Handled by

Local Governments  		 City Clerk's Office

617.349.4260  
Nurses Division of Registration   Information

Apply  
Social Workers Division of Registration   Information

Apply  

What Happens at Public Hearings

General Hearing Information

The Cambridge License Commission holds General Public Hearing at least twice monthly. At the General Public Hearing we hold hearings for license violations, hearings for businesses who are petitioning for a license, permits for one-day licenses and administrative matters.  

Search our Public Calendar for License Commission hearings. Agenda will be posted no later than 48 hours prior to a hearing.
Scheduled items are tentative prior to posting of an official Agenda or Hearing Notice. Refer to the posted Agenda for a full list of scheduled items.
Please check the agenda for the time and location of particular meetings.

Please note: All One-Day Application must be submitted to the Commission by the Thursday two weeks preceding the event. Applications can be dropped off, emailed or faxed. The application must be filled out completely, and bear the applicant’s signature and that of the Police Commissioner’s or designee when submitted. 
We'll let you know when to expect the hearing when you apply.



Types of Hearings

There are two types of Hearings: 

License Violations Hearings: 
During license violation matters we hear from:
  • police officers
  • any victims of the violation
  • people who witnessed the violation, and
  • the person who allegedly violated their license.

We'll make a decision of violation, no violation, deferment, or no action. 

If there was a violation, we may charge fines or other penalties.

 License Petition Hearings:
During License petition matters we speak with:
  • the petitioner or license holder
  • witnesses, community members, and neighbors
  • neighborhood associations, and
  • City officials who are in favor of or against the petition.


 


I Want to Testify

If you have something to say, you can testify at a hearing. We accept testimonies based on the type of hearing:
  • Only witnesses and victims can testify at violation hearings.
  • Anyone can testify at a business petition hearing, whether you support or are against the cause.
There are several ways to give us your testimony:

Cambridge License Commission
831 Massachusetts Avenue, 1st Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139



Contact Us

How can we help?

Please provide as much detail below as possible so City staff can respond to your inquiry:

As a governmental entity, the Massachusetts Public Records Law applies to records made or received by the City. Any information received through use of this site is subject to the same provisions as information provided on paper.

Read our complete privacy statement

Service Requests

Enter a service request via Commonwealth Connect for things like missed trash pickups, potholes, etc., click here

Close