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 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 : At this time the City of Cambridge (“City”) will not be holding any non-essential public meetings due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the City Manager’s closure of all City buildings to non-essential business. On April 3, 2020, Governor Baker signed into law Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020, An Act to Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19 (“Act”), which extends all permitting deadlines for permits issued by City multi-member boards and commissions until after the State of Emergency is lifted. In light of the extensions provided for in the Act and the closure of City buildings, at this time the City’s boards and commissions will be rescheduling all public hearings in accordance with the extensions permitted under the Act. Applicants will receive notice of the new date once the hearing is rescheduled, and notice will be sent to any necessary parties, advertised and posted, as required by applicable laws.
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: 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.
Additional Information VIDEO