City of Cambridge Issues Temporary Construction Moratorium

Today, the City of Cambridge is instituting a Temporary Emergency Construction Moratorium on all construction activity on both public and private property until further notice. This is being done to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and safeguard the health of construction workers and all other workers associated with the construction industry as well as members of the public.

“The decision to pause construction in the city is being made out of an abundance of caution. Our first priority is protecting the hard-working men and women who work in the construction industry in Cambridge,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale “In the coming week, I will be convening an advisory group comprised of business and developer leaders, contractors, public health officials, city staff, and trade union officials to advise me on factors to consider in determining when the moratorium will be lifted.”

“All across Cambridge and the state, we are continuing to make decisions in the best interest of our community’s health and well-being. This temporary moratorium on construction aims to keep our construction workers and those in the construction industry safe from the current COVID-19 outbreak,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui.

During the moratorium, the city will allow construction activity only with the explicit permission of the Commissioner of Inspectional Services (for building-related work) or the Commissioner of Public Works (for street-utility related work) provided that such activity is essential or in response to an emergency.

This moratorium is effective only for construction work, including building trades, regulated or permitted by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services or the Commissioner of Public Works. Exceptions to the moratorium will be granted only if they are essential for the support of public safety.

Link to full text of Temporary Emergency Construction Moratorium of 3-18-20 (PDF).