Generally, streets that have been accepted by City Council are referred to as public streets or ways. All other streets are referred to as private/unaccepted.
For more information on acceptance and maintenance please refer to Massachusetts General Laws Chapters 82, 83, and 84.
Who is Responsible?
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Public/Accepted Ways
- The City of Cambridge is responsible for: street infrastructure, street cleaning, and snow clearing. Report an issue here - SeeClickFix - City of Cambridge, MA
- The property owners of public streets receive municipal services such as trash pickup, recycling pickup, water service, and sewer service
- All excavations on the public right of way require an approved permit with the City of Cambridge before beginning work. Apply here - Home - City of Cambridge, MA
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Private/Unaccepted Ways
- The responsibility for street infrastructure, street cleaning, and snow clearing falls on the owners of these private/unaccepted streets.
- The city is not obligated to provide snow clearing. The city will clear enough for emergency access when resources allow.
- The property owners of private/unaccepted streets receive municipal services such as trash pickup, recycling pickup, water service, and sewer service
- All trench excavations require an approved permit with the City of Cambridge before beginning work. Apply here - Home - City of Cambridge, MA